<p>My main concern is selecting a college with a strong physics department but would also like a great classics department. I would rule out UC Berkeley just because I live near there and have taken classes there already and would prefer something away from home. Do any schools jump out as being very strong in both departments?</p>
<p>U Chicago has one of the finest Classics depts in the country and their Physics dept is tip top- they even have a nuclear reactor nearby- Fermi Labs. </p>
<p>Er, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory does not have any nuclear reactors, they have particle accelerators. Argonne National Laboratory used to have plenty of reactors but no more. That being said, University of Chicago is a fine university for Classics and Physics.</p>
<p>University of Michigan might be a good candidate.</p>
<p>Berkeley is not a safety for anyone. Chicago is a reach for everyone. You need to start your list with safeties (or at least enough low matches to minimize the risk of a shut-out).</p>
<p>Fortunately, several of the other UCs do have both physics and classics.</p>