He has high (1550+) SAT and GPA (4.0 UW, 4.2W) and lots of science related ECs. He of course has only reaches on his list, and is too busy in 11th to figure out what might be good to investigate as safeties (and even matches). Can anyone make recommendations for safeties (cost is not an issue thankfully, although with physics my understanding is he will need to go to graduate school so we’ve got to figure that out) We live in California, and I think he would like to see other parts of the US if possible and is not opposed to a cold climate.
1 Like
What else does he want in a college? size? Greek Life? big time sports? religious affiliation ok?
Sports are not important, nor is Greek life. Religious affiliation is Science 
4 Likes
yes school can be religious but not overly so
I’m not sure how to edit, but he has not expressed interest in a particular size of school, I think he is primarily interested in strong programs in areas of interest the rest doesn’t matter (at least at this time that’s what he says)
Any particular focus? Nuclear? Astronomy?
Does not like observational astronomy. Likes planetary physics, earth science, quantum physics but basically says he loves it all (except apparently observational astronomy)
Perhaps @Gumbymom can tell you which UCs would be safeties. CA is a huge state. Some areas of it are far enough away to feel like a different part of the country.
Other safeties would include Arizona, New Mexico, Alabama.
1 Like
There are so many places where a student can get a strong undergrad foundation in physics. This leaves one having to choose matches and safeties based on other factors - geography, campus vibe, extracurriculars, and of course finances. Many great options in the CA public system, and depending on where you live, a change of scene within California is usually possible!
One different-from-the-others choice within the UC system is the physics major within the College of Creative Studies at UCSB. https://ccs.ucsb.edu/majors/physics It has a “small school within a large school” quality and is very focused on research, with a “grad school for undergrads” approach that your son might like.
Reed College in Portland is known as a big PhD feeder school for physics (and quite a few other fields). It has a distinctive personality, which can be perfect for those who love it, but it’s important to size up whether it’s a fit or not. He would likely find others whose religious affiliation is science, there!
Personality-wise, he might like STEM schools like RPI, Georgia Tech, etc. etc… but academically speaking it doesn’t sound like he absolutely needs his school to have an engineering program. So that’s a distinction to think about. The in-between option would be a(n) LAC like Amherst - strong sciences (big recent investment in facilities) and also a consortium relationship with a public flagship, so those kind of resources are available too.
So many options - need more parameters to narrow it down!
3 Likes
For safety schools (or highly likely): Pitt, U Vermont, URI, UTK, Utah, Washington State, and some of the CSUs. Would he be interested in an LAC?
1 Like
UCs and CSUs will be test blind. Can you calculate his UC/CSU GPA here: GPA calculator
UCSB’s CCS is a fantastic program for the right kind of student.
Has he looked at Cal Poly SLO’s physics department? Depending on his UC/CSU GPA, that might in the safety range. Note that SLO uses 9th-11th grade courses in their GPA calculation.
1 Like
Grad school for physics is typically a PhD, and the good news is that they pay you. 
Standalone masters programs in physics are typically a year and do tend to be $$. A lot of the people you find doing the masters are building up their background to apply for a PhD program; a lot of the people that you find with masters in physics “mastered out” of a PhD program (ie, started out planning to get a PhD and for whatever reason decided to stop at that point).
This is exactly right: there are more places that you can than that you can’t. Especially in CA you are spoilt for choice.
1 Like
Your local Cal State would be a Safety school along with the majority of CSU’s if his CSU capped weighted GPA is 4.0+. Cal Poly SLO is a very good option but not a safety school, more like a Match school for Physics.
I agree with @lkg4answers about UCSB College of Creative Studies but again not a safety.
UC Riverside, Merced and Santa Cruz would be Safety/Likely schools.
For pure physics, research Hamilton (professor recently recognized by the American Physical Society for research and mentoring), Williams (lots of Apker recipients), Wesleyan, Haverford (traditionally strong in physics), Bowdoin (strong in several sciences, including physics) and Reed (nuclear reactor on campus, so strong in physics; limited in geosciences, however). Some of these schools represent apparent reaches. However, based on your son’s academic level, a few represent matches. For generally safer admits, look into the University of Rochester and Lawrence.
From what is reported online about the MCA needed for admissions, Physics seems to be one of the easiest science admits at CPSLO, with much lower scores required than for engineering, CS or even math.
UC weighted is 4.5
UC Capped is 4.333
CSU is 4.333
UC weighted is 4.5
UC Capped is 4.333
CSU is 4.333
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, they are very helpful!
1 Like
Unless the student is local to SLO which is an impacted campus and with Physics having around a projected 35% acceptance rate, I would still not call it a Safety but a solid Match school.
MCA data prior to 2021 cannot be used since it included test scores which are not considered for 2022 admission.
1 Like
My son just graduated from University of Minnesota with a professional physics degree. It was an amazing 4 years and he worked for the head of the physics department from freshman year on. He also worked for his professor that works with CERN (which going in was his area of interest)
2 Likes