Hi all, Im a korean undergrad student applying for exchange student program . I have trouble choosing between UCB and Penn! I I dont know whether the physics department of Penn is good or not. And I know that UCB’s grad school in physics is great(But I dont know about undergrad one).
I know both are great.
But, where do you recommend to apply? please consider that Im a physics major and want to study particle physics! I want to meet excellent professors and want to do research with!
No doubt you’ve already done your research on their programs–I can’t offer any insight there that you wouldn’t be able to find yourself.
You said you wanted to study particle physics? I was able to find the link to the UC Berkeley particle physics faculty: http://physics.berkeley.edu/research/particle-physics I’m a social sciences person myself, so I’m not very familiar with these people, but you can look at their bios and see their credentials for yourself.
I’m assuming that by Penn you mean UPenn, and not Penn State. I found on UPenn’s research page that they have a Center for particle cosmology, but I don’t know if that’s the same thing that you’re looking for? http://www.physics.upenn.edu/particlecosmo/
If you’re going to be in the US for a while in this exchange program, I would also research the surrounding areas of each university! They’re on opposite sides of the country and have very different campus cultures, climate, things to do in the city, etc. If you have questions about those things, I’d be happy to help!
^ Penn always refers to the University of Pennsylvania ( or UPenn), never to Penn State. You will never hear anyone who means Penn State say Penn.
@OP both schools are excellent. Especially for an exchange program you should just choose the school that you think you will fit in best and also that best fits your travel plans in the US ( most exchange students wanna travel a lot). Are you more interested in exploring California or the Easr Coast in the US? Also do u want a school with a smaller undergrad student body (Penn) or a larger one? UCBerkeley has about 3 times as many undergrads as Penn.
Since this is an exchange program and you presumably want to maximize your resume for Korean employers and schools, I would choose UC Berkeley. It is one of the top 5 universities in the entire world for physics research, and will be recognized by anyone in the field.
UPenn is a wonderful school and I probably would choose it over UC Berkeley for a 4 year college experience, but for a single semester, I would go with the big name in Physics.
Really thank you for your reply! I applied for UCB. Are you a student from UCB? If I got accepted by UCB(there are many applicants). Can I ask you few things? Like living in the dorms or co-op etc.
If you are okay with it, may I ask your email adress? Or can you email me to wongong123@naver.com ?
Thank you!
@Penn95
Thank you
Yes I heard that Penn students dont want their school to be called Upenn. I said penn for University of Pennsylvania.
May be you are Penn student haha.
I want to travel but I rather have to focus on my career. Ill travel both of them when Im free of my time!
10000 or 30000 both would be good!
Thank you for your help~
@ThankYouforHelp
I chose UCB ~
Yes, actually Im interested in getting PhD in US
UCB experience would be a great help! Since, as you said, it is one of the most famous school in physics field.
Sorry a little off track, but the Penn reference made me laugh and reminds me of visiting my Midwest relatives who refer to SF as Frisco - every time - and I have to cringe a little on the inside. A west coaster would never call it Frisco. Each coast has their own special references. Back to our regular scheduled programming…
Yeah Penn students and people affiliated with Penn and the ivy league, always say Penn when speaking to one another. Many of these people say UPenn however when speaking to outsiders because it seems that most people not affiliated or very familiar with Penn or other top schools say UPenn. Either way it makes no difference, both are used. But saying Penn usually signals that one has done ones research and is more sophisticated and in the know about top schools etc.
