<p>This university subtly finds its way amongst the top, non-ivy league colleges in America - or so I hear. Any information, opinions, thoughts on this school? If one were interested in a physics career and did not want the pressures found in high-end competitive physics- based schools, would this school be a good start? If not what, what colleges would be good start?</p>
<p>University of Rochester is an excellent place to study physics. They have the Laboratory for Laser Energetics and Institute for Optics, Biophysics. The physics department is very strong with lots of opportunities to become involved in research. Lots of interesting research. Check out the website.</p>
<p>Department</a> of Physics and Astronomy | University of Rochester</p>
<p>You may not want to go somewhere competitive, but I've been to U of R and it felt like high school where people did not care about going to classes and would sit in the back of lectures and just talk and make fun of people. This might not be the atmosphere you want in a college. And their financial aid is garbage.</p>
<p>With that said, if you don't mind the atmosphere and FA is not a problem for you, then U of R will suit your physics need.</p>
<p>I agree with collegehelp that Rochester is an excellent choice. They also have an undergrad focus and excellent research opportunities for undegrads, including freshmen.</p>
<p>My d has found the opposite of chicagoboy. The students she knows go to classes and, in the sciences particularly, work quite hard. Rochester also promises to meet 100% of need. Of course, chicagoboy might not have liked their calculation of "need", but your situation may be different.</p>
<p>From what I've seen during the year my d has been there, Rochester is an excellent choice.</p>
<p>I have had bad experiences with Rochester. I visited and was scheduled to attend 3 classes that day- one in physics, one in math, one in optics. The math was fine, but both the optics and math classes had been re-scheduled and I was never notified. Although this was probably not admissions fault, it still gave me a negative experience.</p>
<p>Regarding financial aid- My EFC is 8,000 according to FAFSA. Rochester gave me 2500 in grant. That leaves me about 48,000 to pay, while it was estimated my family should pay only 8000. I received a merit scholarship (Wilder Trustee- 10k per year), which brought my total money from UR to 12500. This was STILL only half, or not even, of what other colleges have offered me on financial need alone.</p>
<p>Chicagoboy12-
What were the other colleges? Less selective schools often give more grant money to entice students away from the better colleges like Rochester.</p>
<p>My son interviewed at UR for the REMS program (combined med school pgm). The admissions staff was very professional and the school had a good deal to offer. UR offered him a fantastic FA/merit pkg. In the end, he decided to attend another school but at no time did he have anything negative to say about UR or his visits there.</p>
<p>U of R is definitely underrated. It is a fine choice, especially in the sciences.</p>
<p>D chose UR because it was NOT like high school. Kids do work hard there. Example: spring 08 registration had to be re-scheduled for freshmen because FORTY PERCENT (!) of the freshman class had a chem exam during the registration period. Tons of premed and neuroscience majors.</p>
<p>Collegehelp- the college that gave me more financial assistance (without merit) was UChicago. sorry to foil your plan mwahaha. yeah, it was pathetic. even with 10k merit, it was still less. im hoping to get more $$ from an ivy or two tomorrow. UR was my safety though and i never really planned to attend. i was only going to if they gave me a full ride.</p>
<p>the U of R is a superb university and the quality of education there is right up there with the top universities in the nation. I graduated from the U or R and my child goes to the U of Chicago. I find the two schools to be similar in many ways. Rochester students work hard, but they also know how to enjoy themselves. Rochester has lots of small classes with much personal attention. Even in large lecture classes, small discussion sections are usually part of the course. Physically, the campus is excellent with an I.M. Pei designed student union and an attractive campus. Graduate schools also think very highly of the school. The downside is the horrible weather in Rochester and the fact that the city is not too exciting. But if you like music and want that as an extra plus, Rochester has the Eastman School of music and tons of musical and non musical extracurriculars are available. The school is a great choice.</p>