URochester, Brandeis, Reed, or FSU for physics?

College Search & Selection
1

All decisions are out and I’ve narrowed my choices down to four: URochester, Brandeis, Reed, and the honors college at Florida State University. I’m a bit disappointed that I was rejected from all my reaches and most of my matches, but c’est la pandémie.

I’m planning on double majoring in math and physics, with physics being my primary interest and what I intend to pursue in grad school. In the case of Reed, I would do the joint mathematics-physics degree. At Brandeis or Rochester I would double major. As I understand it, Reed and Rochester are better for physics than Brandeis, but Rochester’s campus and student life are inferior to those of Brandeis. I’ve heard extremely mixed things about Reed on the subject of the social milieu; some people rave about it, and others claim it’s miserable.

I have no intention of graduating from FSU. I was rejected from the University of Florida, which was a pretty difficult and confusing rejection to receive. If I go to FSU it would be so I can transfer to UF for my sophomore year, where I would be a shoo-in as a transfer applicant from what I’m told. UF is not bad for physics and I could easily double major there, and it would make a bit more sense financially (my parents are willing to pay for all four years no matter where I go though).

I am mainly interested in what everyone thinks about the undergraduate physics programs at each of these schools, based on the curriculum, rigor, research opportunities, competitiveness for grad school, etc.

I was also waitlisted at several schools: Haverford, Carleton, NYU, Rensselaer, Case Western, and a few others I have no interest in. BU also guaranteed me admissions as a 2022 transfer, but I’m not that interested.

Thanks.

2

You might want to also try your question on the Academic Advising forum on Physics Forums.

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Look deeper on each Physic’s prof’s page to see what they are researching to see if any appeal to you more than the others. For most students I see interested in research, they love being able to delve into something specific. It may, or may not, help with your decision, but it’s worth a look.

I’m not sure what you’re meaning about campus life at U Rochester being inferior. You’ll have to explain that better. They have a great freshman retention rate and students I know who have gone there love the place. We don’t get many headed to Brandeis to compare though - right now I’m not thinking of any TBH. Ditto with Reed. They are both further away than most of our students want to travel.

Those who go to FL (any FL school) often want the weather as much as any specific major unless heading to places like Eckerd (that shines with Marine Science).