My child is trying to decide between USC and Emory as a physics major. He is incredibly disappointed in his choices for college. Although he had all the stats (like a 1540 single sitting SAT- taken once) etc… he wasn’t accepted to any of his 7 top choices. ( And no, they weren’t IVY’s) He’s left in the unenviable position of choosing schools he’s not really interested in attending.
The out of pocket money is the same although USC gave more merit aid. He’s tried to reconcile himself to one or the other but he’s sorta stuck. He doesn’t really feel he will fit in well at USC (although he got scholarship/honors college, but dorm is never guaranteed) Emory is better personal fit but Physics is not very strong and limited choices. He hopes to do several research projects while in undergrad school.
A Gap year during COVID seems like a bad idea. He just wants to make sure his grad school choices are more assured.
1-Which school would you recommend and why?
2-Should he consider a GAP year and reapply? What would change the outcome?
3-Could he transfer and still get enough Fin Aid elsewhere and what would it take as a transfer student to get into a more elite Physics program?
Your thoughts greatly appreciated.
not an expert on this by any means, but Emory is not really known for its physics dept. If your goal is med school or business school or law school, I suspect Emory will be more than adequate and maybe a better choice for you. But if the goal is something like a pHD in physics at a top program, then USC might be better.
as far as personal fit, it’s true these are very different places (size, D1 vs D3 sports…). But USC is big enough that I think you can find your social scene there, if it’s the right place academically.
I really don’t like the idea of starting at one of these schools with the intention of transferring out. Seems like a recipe for unhappiness. And these are 2 great schools- taking a gap year to avoid them seems wrong.
Can I ask if there are any other schools he got in?
Emory, b/c it’s the one he thinks he would be happier at overall.
When our physics collegekid was doing the application rounds we learned that undergrad physics is pretty standardized: your son will be able to do all the coursework- to the standard needed- to get into grad school (which is the main pathway for physics majors). There are almost certainly research options available at Emory- I have no direct knowledge of physics at Emory, but there were at the (much smaller and lower ranked) LAC that my physics collegekid went to. At least as important is summer research- and for that REUs are his friend. Ours did an on-campus research project summer 1, then went to 2 different REU sites ( Argonne and Sandia National Labs) for summers 2 & 3… That gave her three good LoRs (which you need for grad school), and super experiences. She is now in her 1st choice, top-10, PhD program.
Of course, he can try transferring- and his top marks in relevant courses and a clear reason for transferring can make it possible. However, a lot of the ‘elite’ physics programs are at state universities (that’s who has the money for the really cool toys!), and he will perforce be OOS for many of them, so financial aid may not be what you hope for.
He’s not really willing to consider his other choices. (I agree, they are not better only lower “ranked” with physics departments that aren’ t better or u of arizona which he refuses to consider.) There’s only one other possible choice, a top tier LAC who’s size and location make it very unattractive. Basically he got totally ignored by schools even when he was told his essays rocked. (This system sucks!) Fin Aid is an issue. And yes, transfer isn’t a great choice but I’m just looking for alternatives. He applied to so many great choices. No one thought it would come down to this. He’s devastated and I’m trying to figure out how to help.
The system does suck- but the other part is that it is hard to grasp just how many superstar kids there are, all chasing the same places. Funnily enough, U of Az has a pretty decent physics dept - and an outstanding optics dept (physics kid spent a week there working on a lens for a new space telescope as part of a winter seminar). Emory also has a rapidly growing research partnership with GaTech. I don’t know much more than the headlines, but it’s the kind of thing he could explore. Whichever he chooses, he will have multiple ways to extend the offerings at Emory or USC- including with study abroad. The great thing about physics undergrad is that it really is a set of core courses which are pretty transferrable. If he lays his timing out right, and does his homework EARLY (both in applying for REUs and in figuring out the study abroad or study away options) he may be able to build something that is actually an exceptional experience- not just ‘second best’ or ‘good enough’, but something pretty great.
In theory he didn’t apply to anyplace he couldn’t stomach (why would you??) so some of this is getting past the broken heart. One drawback of the ‘you can always transfer’ is that, as @joecollege44 noted, it doesn’t always help you get past the broken heart. You want him to be looking forward to going wherever he’s going. Have him pull up his ‘why’ essays for USC & Emory- it might help him to remember what he used to think was ok about each of them.
Theoretically, He wasn’t terribly interested in either of these schools. He applied to U of A because he could at least be assured he could afford something out of state as they have published merit award schedule. So even if you get nothing in fin aid, they give you the up to $33,000 in merit award (which he got.) He really only wanted to go to Stanford, U of Chicago, WUSTL, Northwestern, JHU or Cornell. The rest were kinda chosen with blinders on. He could only choose places with Fin Aid so most state schools out of the question. It’s water under the bridge. Emory is the better fit although I am certainly sorry that he will miss the important connections and tremendous school spirit of USC and I wouldn’t have minded reasons to go home to San Diego to see friends. Personally, I am just happy it wasn’t Grinnell. Iowa would have broken my heart. I know it’s a special school and he got a full ride there which definitely gave him choices… But my frame of reference is Uof M Ann Arbor. And there is nothing like a great academic institution mixed with great sports!!! But I would support and encourage him no matter where he attends. I think you become a success if it is in your heart to do so. And I’m not sure I think you need to find your life passion in your work. And I’m certain you don’t need to find your life’s work at University. I’m a huge believer of education for education’s sake. I’ve never met anyone who went to college that I didn’t think was better for it.