Vanderbilt is in my list of top three schools, and as the college search has gone on, I have recognized the need for evaluation of the strength of the departments/major programs I intend to pursue. I have tried to research the Vanderbilt physics department, however, most of the information on google is from the school itself, or from subjective physics “rating” websites. Can anyone contribute any personal experience with the Vanderbilt physics department? (If you are satisfied with your choice of school for a physics major, research opportunities, professors, graduate school opportunities, etc?)
If you can’t visit Vanderbilt and speak to a Physics professor directly, try calling or emailing Dr David Weintraub. My son and I spoke with him last spring when he was making the decision where to go to school. He was very helpful.
@Suffer thanks for the input! Disappointing to hear that but unfortunately I’ve heard that about Vanderbilt as well. Wonder why their physics department is so lacking
He is at Vanderbilt pondering Physics as a minor. He has only taken the first 2 physics classes so far and plans another one for fall. There are currently 2 paths into the physics major - the regular Physics I and II classes and an alternative version meant for prospective majors Principals of Physics I and II. He had to take the regular classes due to a conflict.
A huge majority of the complaints about physics that you’ll hear are from disgruntled pre-meds who only have experience with intro to physics (which is actually not even the same “intro” class that prospective physics majors are supposed to take) so don’t let the random things you hear turn you off from the physics department entirely. You might not have much in common with the people complaining anyway, because pre-meds are always saying “I hate math” or things like that. I have a few friends who are physics majors, and they seem to have really enjoyed their classes. It’s also a smaller major so they all know each other. I would say reach out to the department and try to get more concrete info.
