Hi, I’m an international student in the UK that’s currently in my senior year, and is considering WashU ED for physics. WashU is obviously a great school, but it’s mostly known for its medical and business departments, and not so much for physics. In fact, the physics ranking is pretty low - something like 300th according to USNWR. I don’t want this to deter me, so are there any current Physics or Science majors in WashU that can tell me how rigorous the course is, and how it compares to other top Unis in the country? Are the professors good and do you do advanced stuff, or is quite standard and not challenging? I would really appreciate some responses, thank you!
Dwalone – Our student is a Junior Chemistry major and greatly enjoys it. For the most part finds the professors engaging and passionate about teaching. Great research opportunities – especially at the Medical School. Friend is a physics major with a LA minor and did physics research at the school this summer. USNWR Ranks WashU’s graduate physics program at #44 FWIW – which would imply that its undergraduate program is no where near 300th. Not sure how they come up with those rankings. Does seem funny that “in 1922, a young physics professor, Arthur Holly Compton, conducted a series of experiments in the basement of Eads Hall that demonstrated the “particle” concept of electromagnetic radiation. Compton’s discovery, known as the “Compton Effect,” earned him the Nobel Prize in physics in 1927.” Compton joined the University of Chicago to work on the Manhattan project then returned to WashU as Chancellor in 1949.
So there is a bit of history there!
Best of luck!