<p>I am currently debating whether to attend Villanova or University of Texas-Austin.</p>
<p>I hope to major in physics but continue on to medical school.</p>
<p>I like Villanova because they are a private Catholic school, have "great academics," and the small classroom size so that the professor will get to know me.</p>
<p>I like UT because they are well known around the nation and have great programs throughout the university.</p>
<p>I am not sure about how I feel on small/large size of either university.</p>
<p>What are other people's opinion on either school or on their physics program?</p>
<p>Is Steven Weinberg still a physics prof at UT? I remember riding up the elevator with him in the physics building and thinking, “Wow, I’m two feet away from a Nobel Prize winner!”</p>
<p>How do the programs compare in the rankings?</p>
<p>I loved the large size of the university - it was easy to find small groups to hang out with, but there was always something going on, and I knew if I ever wanted to switch majors, it would be easy to do. It’s a wonderful school.</p>
<p>somebody one this forum said that UT’s physics was one of the worst in the university though. they grade you hard on the physics labs, so if you’re premed…</p>
<p>Ha, my very first exam at UT in the fall of 1980 was Honors Engineering Physics. I got a 45! I was horrified. I think I got a C that semester, when the lowest grade I’d ever gotten before was a B in 5th grade! The professor wasn’t very helpful. McCormick was his name. He’s still at UT!</p>
<p>The physics department is ranked 16th in the nation. Yes, that is graduate, but where are the undergrad rankings? Does it matter that much? I have not heard that physics is supposed to be horrible here. But the grading scale, yes. That seems to happen in many courses in the natural science department.</p>
<p>well thats kinda scary. I’m not a huge fan of failing tests and super hard classes. </p>
<p>but i’m still undecided…</p>
<p>I’m also thinking about transferring to the engineering program once i choose a school. I know they are both ranked. UT for highest degree is a doctorate and Villanova for highest degree is a masters.</p>
<p>Opinions or information about this will be very helpful.</p>