<p>Does anyone have any information to share about what it's like to be a physics major at Chicago. My daughter would want to specialize in astrophysics, but general comments on the physics major would be helpful too. She's very interested in Chicago, but we won't be able to visit until the summer or fall.</p>
<p>She's also interested in dance as an ec, particularly classical ballet. How competitive is performing with University Ballet of Chicago?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I believe there is another poster on here who can give more insight into the physics program, but from my point of view and the points of view of my friends who have majored in physics, it’s a terrific program. You can look at the campus map and count the buildings that are devoted to physics!</p>
<p>We have an on-campus observatory and an astronomical society:
[Ryerson</a> Astronomical Society](<a href=“http://astro.uchicago.edu/RAS/]Ryerson”>http://astro.uchicago.edu/RAS/)</p>
<p>AFAIK, University Ballet is open for classes and performances. Two of my friends are in UBallet, I have no idea how good they are as dancers, but I do know that it’s something they do for fun and are not extremely competitive about it.</p>
<p>Dance at the University of Chicago is strictly for fun, I believe. Not competitive at all. That isn’t to say that there aren’t some fine dancers there. There are two women there now who took classes with my daughter for years, and didn’t quit when she did. One of them was a superb dancer in her early-mid teens (although a little too short and round for a professional career). I know that she is involved with ballet there, but that if she really cared about ballet she probably wouldn’t be at the University of Chicago.</p>
<p>Thanks JHS and unalove. The dance sounds perfect and it’ll be nice to have an observatory with so many open telescope nights and lectures. The more we hear about Chicago, the better the fit seems. Thanks to both of you for your past posts. They have really helped to give a clear picture of Chicago.</p>
<p>Any more views out there on physics and/or astrophysics?</p>
<p>A cousin of mine was a physics major there ten years ago. He loved the academics, and went to graduate school in math at a top-20 (but not tippy-top) program. He now has a math PhD and works for a financial firm, not on Wall St., and makes scads of money.</p>
<p>Chicago manages Argonne and Fermi; there are hoards of physicists loosely associated with the university, and who live in the Chicago area. Both of my children know a number of THEIR children who are studying physics at the university. So my impression is that there are more students there than at most places who are into physics, and more general buzz around the university about physics than you would find elsewhere. (Also, “physics”, but not necessarily astrophysics, is what they call it when someone really wants to study engineering at Chicago.)</p>
<p>My son has certainly enjoyed many of the open telescope nights and lectures. But it’s hard to take a rooftop telescope in the middle of a city as an indication of a vibrant astrophysics program. It’s not inconsistent with that, either – just not a big plus in and of itself. Someone who actually knows about it will have to guide you there.</p>
<p>JHS–I absolutely agree with your last point–those are more fun and interesting extras. But Chicago has a great selection of astronomy/astrophysics courses.</p>
<p>Interesting point about those physics majors who are interested in engineering. From what I’ve learned about Chicago, I would assume they are in the minority. My D is not interested in engineering.</p>
<p>If you really want to “disappear” into physics look up metamaterials.</p>
<p>I know next to nothing about this topic, but this was featured on the school’s website recently and sounds fascinating: [Eyeing</a> the universe through Einstein’s telescope | The University of Chicago](<a href=“http://www.uchicago.edu/features/20090223_einstein.shtml]Eyeing”>http://www.uchicago.edu/features/20090223_einstein.shtml)</p>