<p>Hi, I’m a double major in Physics (concentration in astrophysics) and Biology planning to go to grad school in either field, so I can probably aim you in the right direction. I love both the Physics and Biology departments here. </p>
<p>First, it is important to realize that there is no “pre-med” major at any college. You can major in anything as long as you take the required courses. Obviously, most pre-med people are Bio majors, and TCNJ has an outstanding track-record for getting (qualified) students into medical school.</p>
<p>As for Physics, it is a relatively small department but that gives you many advantages as well as disadvantages. The biggest drawback is the fact that upper level courses are offered every other year, and that the breadth and depth of research is not as deep as it would be at Rutgers. (that is not to say you would get to participate in that research) </p>
<p>BUT, you will not realize the benefits of getting to personally know your professors until you get to college, unfortunately. That aside, Physics classes are small and you will get to know both your fellow majors and professors very well. I am a freshman in my second semester and I am already working in a fluid dynamics lab with the chair of the department. It isn’t a shadowing job like it would be at Rutgers, me and another freshman work with him and we often help designing the experiments etc… (much of it is preliminary since we just set up the lab). More “advanced” research can be done at upper levels that is more independent. </p>
<p>When you say “theoretical physicist” what exact field? I’m assuming you mean theoretical astrophysics, since there are two types. TCNJ seems to offer a strong Astro program with some very well respected professors (the chair, Dr. Wiita, being one). </p>
<p>I couldn’t argue for or against either college in that regard, but I definitely would not choose a college based off a specific major. People often switch, I know it is hard to understand now but I know many people who were dead set on medical school and just couldn’t hack it. </p>
<p>The long and short of it is, when it comes to graduate school the most important things are your grades and the amount of research in the field that you do. For me, the choice was obvious. I don’t know the data for the Physics department, but the Bio department sends their students to very prestigious grad and med schools regularly.</p>