<p>So right now I'm a senior in high school. I intended to major in engineering physics at Cornell and probably also pursue a theoretical physics double major there as well. However, I also want to go to Cambridge for my masters/doctorate in physics. Since it gives no financial aid to international students and is very expensive and my family hardly makes enough money, I thought about withdrawing my application and applying to Cooper Union instead since it's free and it also offers a good engineering education and I could also take enough math and physics courses to prepare myself for graduate school. In addition, I could probably get into either school.
1) So basically, can I go from an engineering undergraduate program to a physics master/doctorate?
2) And also, is it worth it to go to Cooper Union and save the money to go to Cambridge for masters?
3) And if so, which engineering should I go for that could best prepare me for a physics career? Can I and should I double major in mechanical and electrical engineering?</p>
<p>You would be at a disadvantage in graduate school with a regular engineering degree. Engineering Physics is more appropriate, but that also depends on the school and how it compares to their regular physics program.</p>
<p>The vast majority of engineering is based on “classical” physics. This is important to learn because it lets us solve problems on human-scale. Once things get too big or too fast, relativity starts to become noticeable. When they are too small, quantum physics takes over. A physics degree will give you a proper foundation for graduate study and research in areas that are not covered by an engineering degree. At best, an engineering program will spend a few weeks covering relativity and one class on quantum physics.</p>
<p>For point 2, I cannot speak to your financial situation but you should be aware that Doctorate programs in the United States for virtually every field of science include a stipend (they pay you), and a tuition waiver. You work as either a Research Assistant or a Teaching Assistant while in graduate school. The general recommendation is that you shouldn’t go to a graduate school in the natural sciences if they want you to pay for it yourself.</p>
<p>In regards to an electrical and mechanical double major, I think you would find it to be very challenging to keep up without extending your time as an undergraduate. These two majors share very few classes after the basic math and science are completed.</p>
<p>Yes, as noted above, majoring in physics (or perhaps engineering physics) would be the best choice to prepare for physics graduate study. Also, as noted above, PhD study in physics should be funded.</p>
<p>Also, both Cornell and Cooper Union are reach-for-everyone schools, so you won’t know if you will even have them among your choices in April until April comes. (Also, Cooper Union does cost money for living expenses, even though they give students full tuition scholarships.)</p>
<p>I mean for early decision.
Well the only reason I wouldn’t major in physics is because cooper doesn’t have a physics major lol. And it’s free so I can save money for Cambridge which is #1 worldwide for physics graduate school. But it’s not located in the US, so I don’t know if I’d get money while I do my masters/doctorate.
I wouldn’t be sure about regular decision as much, but for early decision, I’m pretty confident that I could get into both schools especially since they’re mostly safety-reach for my high school. I wouldn’t be 100% sure I’d get in but I know I have a relatively high chance of getting in.</p>
<p>First of all, no one majors in theoretical physics as an undergraduate. The typical physics curriculum is standard across all universities in the U.S. and as other have said, you would be better off in Engineering Physics than in Engineering. In Engineering you would be missing a lot if very important foundational courses that you need as an entrance requirement for a physics graduate program.</p>
<p>Second, unless you are interested only in a Masters, you should expect to be funded throughout your Ph.D. studies as a T.A. or R.A. If you are not given funding at a particular university DO NOT go there. Go to a school which offers you a full tuition and stipend. It makes absolutely no sense to go into debt for a Ph.D. This holds for Cambridge as well.</p>
<p>Third, a double degree is generally not a great idea if it costs you an extra year of college. if you have decided already to get a Ph.D. in physics, just take the right courses to prepare yourself for that path. An engineering physics degree will give you a bit better options for finding a job if you decide at the end of your studies that graduate school is not for you but a physics degree is also salable.</p>
<p>Finally, as others have said, apply to more than just those two universities. You never know whether you will get in and you need a backup plan. A strong physics degree can be earned at many schools which are not Cornell and if you prepare correctly you can go to a top graduate program anyway.</p>