Hello! My daughter has been accepted to the first 3 schools for physics and will hear from UConn in March. UVM is currently her top choice of these schools based on “fit” but wondering if anyone knows much about the physics programs at any. She has toured all of them and been impressed with the facilities. She got in to the honors college at UNH if that makes a difference. All are affordable.
Congratulations on your D’s acceptances!
I don’t know about these physics programs in general, but would suggest your D research these things at each school:
-Physics major requirements
-Physics course offerings, paying attention to how often some might be offered
-Physics profs: where did they go to school? How many full/associate/assistant profs?
-What type of research are the profs doing? Where are they presenting their research? What does your D find most interesting?
-Research opportunities for undergrads…does it appear that undergrads are working with the profs/dept on research projects?
-Physics majors outcomes–are they going on to grad school? In to the work force? In to what types of jobs?
It’s ok for your D to reach out to dept heads/profs to ask questions about their research, whether they use undergrads, any upcoming changes to the curriculum, etc.
She can also reach out to the schools’ career centers to ask for specific physics majors outcomes data, if it’s not posted online.
Good luck.
Have a physics collegekid / gradschoolkid. All of those unis will give her a solid enough physics base that she will be prepped for any physics-related grad school path she might take. I would worry less about where the profs went to school and more about the gender balance, across the levels and the PhD cohort. If she hasn’t visited, or is re-visiting, make sure she spends some time in the physics department. . My daughter definitely saw schools where women were not particularly welcome (not that anybody says anything obvious while you are there).
The thing that will matter for grad school (besides stats) is research experience. Pretty sure- but check!- that all of those places have (paid) research opps for undergrad students. A look at the research areas that the uni is specializing in is interesting, and might tip the balance- but 1) she may not have a good idea of what is really interesting to her at this point (and it might change as she gets to know more) and 2) a lot of students use summer REUs to get experience farther afield (which also helps with LoRs, as grad schools typically want 3 from your subject area).
If your daughter is still researching, have her see if there is anything relating to the ‘Women in Physics’ organization on the physics pages of the school website (I know UMass recently hosted a conference). It is a super group overseen by the American Physical Society (APS, the physics org). They organize conferences regionally and nationally for women physics students to meet up and network. Huge source of information and support.
@Mwfan1921 and @collegemom3717 Thank you so much for your responses. Lots to think about.
@travelfamily , as mentioned research is very important for physics. Like @Mwfan1921 , I can’t help much between these schools, but know from my sons experience, research is very important. I would see how many undergrads do research and how soon they start. My son got to start his freshman year, so when he graduated, he had several things published or presented with his name associated. This helped him to have several very good options for grad school. Another plus, he had the chance to travel extensively.
UNH is very committed to its undergrads. We have heard that over and over. They want them doing research. Plus, being a smaller (if not the smallest) option should equate to smaller class sizes and make it easier to get to know your professors, which is also key to getting research opps.
I know one person who specifically does not recommend UVM for physics. She needed to take physics as a pre-vet prerequisite and ended up retaking it at a community college. UVM is of course excellent for other aspects of pre-vet and premed, and for pre-vet has the farm right down the street and for premed has the hospital right on campus.
I would think that U.Mass would probably be better for physics.
@taverngirl I agree- my older daughter is junior there. Her friend gave my daughter a tour of the physics facilities and she thought it was wonderful!
@DadTwoGirls My daughter did a physics summer camp at Umass and did like it. Her only negative with it is that it is down the street from us and she’s not sure how she feels about that! I also have heard some negative things about a particular UVM intro physics class so it’s something to keep in mind. I connected with a mom of a physics major there who is willing to discuss their program with my daughter and invited her to sit in on a class when we go for accepted students day- so hoping that works out!
Thanks for your responses!
Just an update- went to the Umass accepted student day and that won her over- she will be committing there!
Congrats to you both!
That was going to be my suggestion. The others are fine schools. UMass is world class in sciences.