Physics schools

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm interested into going in to physics (with a specialty in cosmology), but have no idea what school I want to apply to. Yale/Harvard/ anything expensive is not an option. I know of the University of Iowa and the University of Chicago, but want to know if their are any other better or cheaper options. Any ideas?</p>

2

<p>What is your home state? or are you international?</p>

3

<p>My home state is Illinois. I would like to stay in Midwest (and Illinois) if I could, but am open to traveling farther.</p>

4

<p>Urbana has a cosmology group, are you not considering going there? BTW, cosmology is usually a graduate specialty (one of the hardest, IMHO).</p>

5

<p>Specializing in cosmology is done at the graduate level and if you get into a Ph.D. program they will usually support you so there are no loans to worry about. However, a physics undergraduate degree is a general degree and you can pretty much do it at any school. The key to getting into a graduate program is doing well in your undergraduate program (high GPA, research experience that does not have to be cosmology, and top physics GRE scores).</p>

<p>If you want to stay close to home and keep costs down, look into the two major state schools (UIUC and UIC) which both have excellent physics programs as well as any of the Illinois privates and nearby state schools which have graduate programs in physics and are research universities. See which ones fit you best and meet your financial constraints. </p>

<p>As a physics professor and undergraduate advisor at my university, I know that top students will get into the graduate programs they want no matter what undergraduate institution they studied at.</p>

6

<p>Thanks (both of you) for your advice! I did look at UIUC and UIC, but I have visited both before and couldn’t really see myself there. SIUC isn’t winning any awards for their physics program, but is my best option financially. I am glad that the undergraduate school doesn’t matter as much, so I can cut costs and stay close to home. Thanks again! :)</p>

7

<p>A decent physics major degree program should include the following junior and senior level course offerings:</p>

<p>quantum mechanics (typically two semesters)
electromagnetism (typically two semesters)
analytic mechanics
statistical and thermal physics
advanced physics lab
physics electives, possibly including astronomy
math courses like real analysis, complex analysis, and abstract algebra</p>

<p>A quick check of course catalogs should tell you whether a school is suitable for majoring in physics at. Be sure to check schedules to determine the frequency of offering; courses offered “occasionally” or once every two years may be inconvenient to build a major out of.</p>

<p>Some expensive schools do offer decent financial aid; check the net price calculators. (Harvard and Yale are known for good need-based financial aid, though getting in is the hard part.)</p>

<p>If you have high test scores, you may want to check to see if any of these schools have worthwhile physics offerings:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If you make National Merit Finalist, check these schools as well:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>And if you can afford about $35,000 per year, check the physics offerings at the schools in the following list (or go to the link to the ed.gov site and reset the parameters as desired, including changing the test score screens and adding a physics major screen):
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1294383-less-expensive-list-price-less-obvious-schools-attract-good-students.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1294383-less-expensive-list-price-less-obvious-schools-attract-good-students.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;