transferring from U of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>I'm a freshman at UIUC, declared physics major, I'm pretty sure that's what I want to do, probably particle or quantum. However, I don't like it here, the reason being that it's all completely flat (I'm from Massachusetts), in the middle of hundreds of miles of cornfields, and, most importantly, I'd say that about 80% of the student body just simply doesn't care about academics. </p>

<p>In High School, I had something like a 3.4 unweighted GPA, I took 7 APs and got 5s on six of them, SAT was 2170 - 800 math, 690 and 680 on the two english sections.</p>

<p>So far in college, I've got one exam left that I'm pretty sure I'm going to ace, so I'm coming out of first semester with a 4.0, taking Calc III, Physics (mechanics) with the honors program, Western Literature I, and Fundamental Mathematics (proofs and stuff, discrete math, number theory etc). Next semester, taking Dif Eq Plus, Linear Algebra, Physics (E&M) (again with the honors program), Intro to Japanese Society, and Intro to Drawing (last two for general education reqs). I'm pretty sure I can hold a 4.0 in those as well.</p>

<p>So here's what I'm looking for. Smaller school, in a decent-sized urban city, with a good reputation for having students who care, with a possibility for undergraduate research, and a reputable physics department. Schools that immediately come to mind are Columbia, University of Chicago, UC Berkeley, MIT. Does anyone have any suggestions? </p>

<p>Nothing is definite yet, there's always the chance that as I get into more specialized classes and start meeting more people with my interests, this place will start to look up a bit. But I do know a professor who is willing to write me a rec, and money isn't that much of an issue for me. </p>

<p>Any advice is appreciated! Thanks very much in advance.</p>

2

<p>MIT is a bit difficult, but i think berkeley, Univesity of Chicago are possibilities. Why don't you look into cornell? It's fantastic for physics from what I hear.</p>

3

<p>Although you probably can comment on the state of UI's Graduate Physics department more than I can, from what I understand it's ranked Eighth along with the University of Chicago (UCB and MIT are ranked ahead, with all of your other colleges being ranked a spot or two lower). I would get to know some of your professors and see what the undergraduate research opportunities are like. If you can get a workable research setup and get to meet individuals with similar research interests your UG experience would improve vastly. It takes time to find people who really love academics at most schools.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
So here's what I'm looking for. Smaller school, in a decent-sized urban city

[/quote]

Then don't apply to Berkeley.....</p>

5

<p>Question, why would you got to U of I if your from Mass? like 95% of the students there are in state. I'm from Chicago, and I've grown to HATE U of I urbana-champaign.</p>

<p>But, U of Chicago has arguably the best physics program I hear. My friends are all goin' there. I'm planning on transferring there (bc their econ is sick too).</p>

<p>MIT is great, but their transfer admission acceptance rate is like 2%, and I'm not sure Berkeley's for out of state.</p>

6

<p>So, definitely decided to apply to transfer. Updated stats for first and second semester:</p>

<p>First semester: GPA 3.91
Physics 211 Mechanics: A-
Physics 199HM Honors Mechanics: A
Math 241 Calc III: A
Math 347 Fundamental Math: A
Comparative World Lit 241 Western Lit I: A</p>

<p>Second semester, with current grades:
Phys 212 E&M: A-
Phys 199HO Honors E&M: A
Math 286 DiffEq Plus: A
Math 415 Linear Algebra: A
East Asian Language and Culture 250 Intro to Japanese Society: A
Art 199TA Intro to Drawing: A</p>

<p>So far, applying to Stanford, MIT. Anyone any idea on chances? High school gpa was much lower, 3.35 out of 4, 3.9 out of 5 (that's weighted), but six 5s out of 7 APs, 2170 on SAT (with 800 on math section), Siemens-Westinghouse Competition Semifinalist, I've been nominated for the James Scholar Honors program here at UIUC, and I got on the Dean's List first semester. I'm studying physics, so if anyone has any other suggestions for school as good as or better than UIUC for physics, throw 'em at me as well.</p>

<p>Thanks for help!</p>