<p>which undergraduate program has the best physics program? Specifically, I'd like to concentrate in high energy physics, so if you could place colleges more by how much research I could get in that area. Thanks.</p>
<p>Check this link, which has a list of universities that received research funding from the Dept. of Energy:
[SC</a> In Your State | U.S. DOE Office of Science (SC)](<a href=“Universities | Department of Energy”>Universities | Department of Energy)</p>
<p>That’ll give you some idea of which universities have high research activity in the area.</p>
<p>I would assume that these grants are not entirely about high energy physics, though. Guessing that all kinds of energy research (oil/gas/fracking, solar, wave, wind, bio fuels, battery research, etc) are also included. It just can’t make sense that Michigan State gets more than University of Michigan, yet to think that Michigan State has a better department for studying high energy physics… not buying that. I don’t think this measurement means much.</p>
<p>US News hads MSU rated #1 in nuclear physics, so that probably explains the funding.</p>
<p>The link was just to give the OP some idea of which schools might have a high level of research in the area. Though the DoE funds many kinds of energy research, the linked document listed the nature of the funded projects.</p>
<p>Most people wouldn’t disagree that overall, across most fields, UM is a much stronger university than MSU. Apparently, this might not be the case in high energy physics. Even though Michigan ranks fairly high in physics, there are even some other public universities that rank higher, e.g., Colorado, Hawaii, Stony Brook, Penn State, hard as that may be for you to believe.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. What about LACs or private schools(other than top schools like Princeton and Harvard because, of course, I already know about them)? I would like some financial aid, and I know some LACs give good aid, so that would be probably better.</p>
<p>And private schools that have good programs, but aren’t obvious like princeton, harvard, uchicago, mit, caltech etc.</p>
<p>You might find this page to be of use. I’m assuming that, if you’re interested in HEP research, you’re hoping to get involved with the LHC, or at least very interested at that prospect. I’ve linked a list to the LHC collaborating institutions in the US, and it includes a list of their experiments (so you know specifically whether they’re CMS, ATLAS, ALICE, etc.).</p>
<p>My advice, if you really want to participate in a meaningful way, is to seek out a lesser-known university with substantial research ties to top institutions (as it seems you’re trying to do). I’m a rising 2nd year undergraduate who is involved with graduate-level research on CMS because I chose a lesser-known, mid-tier university (UC Riverside). I wouldn’t have been afforded the same opportunity if I had wanted to go UCSB, UCB, UCSD or UCLA, as they all have very well established and prestigious graduate programs in physics. The lack of such a hierarchy at UCR and demonstrated ability has allowed me to work directly with a professor (no post-doc or grad student go-between) on these projects.</p>
<p>[Collaborating</a> Institutions](<a href=“http://www.uslhc.us/The_US_and_the_LHC/Collaborating_Institutions]Collaborating”>http://www.uslhc.us/The_US_and_the_LHC/Collaborating_Institutions)</p>
<p>Thanks! That data was really good to look at in terms of identifying schools that I would be interested in.</p>
<p>If you are looking for an undergraduate degree, you will not be specializing. That is for graduate school. Of course you can look for universities with high energy physics faculty and active research programs (almost every Ph.D. granting physics department) but that is not necessarily the best choice. Instead, look at the kind of school you like (you mention LACs) and decide if that program will prepare you for graduate school adequately. What you should be looking for is a full year of upper level Classical Mechanics, Electrodynamics and Quantum Mechanics plus some elective courses which might interest you (particle physics, for example). Then look for schools where you can get involved in research and get some experience (not necessarily in high energy physics). Again, it might be easier to do at a research university but most programs now understand the value of research as preparation for graduate school and have opportunities even if they do not have a graduate program. You can always get good research experience through one of the many REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) programs across the country.</p>
<p>If you want to look for universities with High Energy Physics (HEP) programs, don’t concentrate solely on DOE funded programs. high Energy Physics groups generally are either funded by DOE or NSF but not both. Therefore, look at the department web pages and see what the activity is in HEP. As i said before, most research universities will have a HEP group.</p>
<p>Thank you. I will certainly check that out. I think a good LAC would probably be best for me, I’ve looked into Carleton, Harvey Mudd, and Williams which all look fantastic, I just have to get good SAT and ACT scores. (I’m an incoming Junior)</p>
<p>xraymancs point about looking for the type of school that you like is spot on. Don’t concern yourself too much with rankings, because the rankings really are, if anything, an indicator of the graduate but not necessarily the undergraduate program. Additionally, his advice about REU’s is wonderful, as well; they are wonderful opportunities and perfect for students who may go to less research-oriented institutions. </p>
<p>Since you have the time, as a rising junior, I recommend visiting schools in which you have interest. I know my school’s physics department puts on programs twice a year where they invite incoming and prospective students to tour the department, meet professors, and get a look at the undergraduate program; it’s an all day program and they treat the students and their families to lunch. I am sure, especially considering that I attend a public school, that the LACs and privates that you want to look at will have analogous programs. </p>
<p>I really recommend, since you know what you want to study, going and meeting the departments at your prospective schools; touring the campus and getting the general information is all well and good, but you have the advantage of knowing exactly what discipline you want, so really care about the department itself.</p>