<p>where can i find rankings for undergrad physics programs</p>
<p>There are rankings in the archives. To save you the trouble, here are some the universities with the great physics departments:
U. Chicago, MIT, Caltech, Harvard, Princeton, Cornell, Stanford, UC-Berkeley, and UIUC.</p>
<p>Time out. </p>
<p>NO ONE ranks undergrad programs. The rankings one finds are for grad programs, and are of limited relevance for undergrads. In fact, most rankings are far more specific than "general physics" and rank specific subdisciplines.</p>
<p>Unless you are just after bragging rights, it is much better to focus on a school that has a good physics program, but fits you well. If you want to delve a bit deeper at a particular school, compare the departmental grad school placement success, not the ranking of their grad department.</p>
<p>"it is much better to focus on a school that has a good physics program"</p>
<p>and how am i going to determine what schools have good programs?</p>
<p>i am just starting my search and im interested in a ton of different schools. comparing their grade school placement is a good idea but seems a bit tedious</p>
<p>"comparing their grade school placement is a good idea but seems a bit tedious"</p>
<p>Considering you will be spending four years at a place, it seems that a bit of "tedious" work may be worthwhile. There are no shortcuts to finding a school that is a good fit, which I hope you discover before you make your choice.</p>
<p>"and how am i going to determine what schools have good programs?"</p>
<p>I'm afraid you might find this a bit tedious, too. :-)</p>
<p>Grad level rankings can tell you what schools have strong faculty and grad programs. Those schools may have better TAs. But they may not. So, the best way, IMHO, is to find schools that you (a) like in general (b) have at least adequate grad programs. Then, start connecting with their undergrad physics majors. How? contact the department and ask for names. That would be one way. Visit.</p>
<p>But in any case, ask questions and listen.</p>