<p>As the discussion title already states, what would be some good universities for someone interested in physics? I'm pretty sure this question has been asked before (sorry) but everyone's case is unique.
I am an 8th grader, going into high school next year. I already know that I want to be a physicist when I grow up, but my school doesn't exactly have the right courses. There's only one physics class, and I'm taking it as a sophomore (due to the trig requirement). As for math, I'm taking adv. algebra 2 next year, trig as a sophomore, calculus as a junior, and statistics as a senior. These are all the math courses my school provides, no AP math at all. Even though I'll only have a measly physics education from HS, I want to get into a good university.
So, what exactly are some good universities for physics? By evaluating my choices, I'll know what to aim for when studying outside of school.
(btw, I took the Explore test this year and got a 25, idk if this helps at all)</p>
<p>Seriously??? You’re in 8th grade. Ask the question when you’re in high school. But before you ask next time, please read this thread, and come back to us with the answers to the questions, and then we will be happy to give our opinions.</p>
<p><a href=“Before you ask which colleges to apply to, please consider - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>Before you ask which colleges to apply to, please consider - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums;
<p>OP, as the previous poster indicated, it’s too soon to select specific colleges to which you might apply. There are many good undergraduate physics programs. When it comes time to apply, remember that prospective undergraduates usually get admitted to a college, not to a specific major. If you do well in the science and math courses that your school does offer, you will be in a good position for college admission. An AP physics or calc course would offer some advantages, of course, but since your school doesn’t offer them, perhaps there are some alternatives. Will your school district allow dual enrollment where you take a college course while still enrolled in high school? Is there another school in the district that offers the AP-level classes? If you do well in the physics course that is offered at your school, then talk to the physics teacher and your guidance counselor to explore any other options you might have. When it comes time to apply to college, you should applly to some financial and academic safeties, usually including the public universities for your state, so that would be a place to start, too.</p>
<p>Although it is early to focus on a specific college, I commend the OP for wanting to pursue a strong interest while in high school and for thinking ahead. I also commend the OP for recognizing that his/her high school is weak in sciences and math, and wishing to be better prepared for a strong physics program in the future.</p>
<p>For now, focus on maximizing the education opportunities you have in your community, and also engaging in extracurricular activities that interest you. Are there any universities/community colleges nearby that you can dual enroll in? If this is the case, then if your high school allows you to double up on math/science classes, you might be able to take calculus and physics later in junior or senior year at a nearby college.</p>
<p>There are also possible summer opportunities, like state governor’s school, classes like Duke Tip, or summer math and engineering/science classes for high school students at universities. Pursuing something because it “looks good” on your application will not be nearly as satisfying as following your heart.</p>
<p>Although it is great that you want to be a physicist, also keep an open mind. Pursuing your interest might lead you to different interests within physics- engineering, research, teaching, or even something not involving physics, but following your interests will surely lead to much learning. </p>
<p>Also be assured that there are many options for studying physics when you get to the time of applying to college. </p>
<p>I’d say that 8th grade is probably a bit early to start looking for a college to apply to, and it isn’t necessarily a good idea to have your entire schedule planned out in advance–because your interests will probably change in high school.</p>
<p>That being said, it’s definitely worth taking as many math and physics classes as you can. If you can take any classes at a local community college that would be a great way to supplement your high school courses. </p>
<p>Best of Luck!</p>
<p>You really don’t need to worry about specific colleges in 8th grade. But most of the very best physics programs will be found in highly selective colleges, so if that is your goal, you do need to plan a challenging high school program and get good grades.</p>
<p>You can supplement what your school offers in math and physics with summer programs, cc courses, math competitions and associated websites, and free online MOOC courses. Join your school math club/team or if it doesn’t have one, then try to start one. And of course, you can always work through math books on your own.</p>
<p>Calculus is considered AP level work. You should be able to take an AP test even if the class isn’t specifically labeled “AP”. Just get an AP prep book and make sure you have learned everything that the AP curriculum covers. </p>
<p>You should also research the career path of physicist before going too far. If it is your goal to become a physics professor, you should be aware that competition among PhD’s to become a faculty member at a college or University is fierce. I’m not saying you shouldn’t do it if that is what you love, but you need to know what you are getting into.</p>
<p>Mathyone’s advice is good. You can do a lot on your own, or outside of school, anyway.</p>
<p>My daughter’s choices so far might interest you: she got a late start with math, and didn’t decide until the summer before senior year of high school that she wanted to major in physics in college, so she had to take the prereq math at the same time she took AP Physics (she skipped the prereq physics course, too). When she got to college, she was still a little behind with math, so for the first two years of her major she took the prereg math concurrently with the course. This was not optimal, but it was doable, at least for her–so to your point about not having lots of math before college, she was able to catch up. She went to Smith, a women’s college with a pretty small but very supportive physics program (and they do run summer science programs for high school girls, if you qualify as to gender–and I’m guessing from your username that you do 
<a href=“User account”>User account. There is need-based financial aid available). So, having graduated with a degree in physics, she’s gone on to a PhD program in nanophotonics/EE; like you, she’s not that much into engineering, but this is really applied physics. So far, her background in physics has been a real advantage to her, over that of the engineers in the program with her.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I’ve read through all of the replies, and please don’t tell me that I’m too young. I need something to aim for, so a specific university isn’t necessary. By narrowing it down to about 5, I can research them and their requirements. I’m taking as many science and math courses as I can at my high school, but as I’ve already stated, we really don’t have many choices. I just need to start preparing ASAP. My friend, who is a freshman currently, has already taken SAT’s and is constantly reading biology textbooks (she wants to be a doctor).
Anyways, thank you for all of your help! I’ll try to see if I can do that dual-enrollment stuff at the local universities. </p>
<p>There are too many good colleges for physics to list, so you would need to tell us what your preferences are, such as location and cost. Much physics research is done at state universities, so it is possible that your state u is a good choice as well ( don’t reveal your location or any possible identifying info- we don’t need to know that, just what region you prefer). If you have not discussed college costs with your parents, now is a good time to start. The best college for you is the one you can afford.
Major universities- dream ones- include Cal Tech and MIT, so look at them for ideas but keep in mind they tend to accept extremely accomplished applicants. This doesn’t mean you should not apply, but also keep in mind that you can pursue the path to physics at many schools. For ideas, start with schools that have good grad programs although good undergrad programs exceed this list.
<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/physics-rankings”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/physics-rankings</a></p>
<p>Ideally, by the end of high school you should have taken bio, chem, physics and AP physics, and AP calc. Taking AP chem is helpful. Colleges usually award credit for AP calc and chem. but not all accept AP credit for the first year physics for physics majors and engineers. Expect that most people in that class have a good foundation of high school physics. Strong physics students will be taking many advanced math, physics, and supporting classes like computer science and intro to chem ( which some colleges accept AP Chem credit for. )</p>
<p>For someone in 9th grade, preparing for university attendance with a major in physics means:</p>
<ul>
<li>Take math to the highest level available to you.</li>
<li>Take physics in high school; if calculus-based physics at a local college is available to you, you may want to also take that.</li>
<li>If computer science is available to you in high school, consider taking that among your electives.</li>
</ul>
<p>In addition, take all of the usual course work to prepare for university attendance, choosing rigorous options:</p>
<ul>
<li>4 years of English</li>
<li>4 years of history and social studies</li>
<li>foreign language to the highest level available to you</li>
<li>art and/or music</li>
<li>biology and chemistry; some schools’ physics majors require general chemistry, and a high-enough AP chemistry score may fulfill such a requirement</li>
</ul>
<p>The above selection of course work in high school should prepare you for most universities, including highly selective and moderately selective ones, so you need not focus on specific universities now (but start thinking about them in 11th grade).</p>
<p>Other things to consider:</p>
<ul>
<li>Take the PSAT in 10th grade for practice; if you score high enough to have a chance at National Merit, take it in 11th grade “for real”.</li>
<li>Take the SAT and ACT in 11th grade; if not satisfied, do additional preparation for a retake of the initially higher one in early 12th grade.</li>
<li>Consider taking SAT subject tests as you complete the appropriate high school courses.</li>
<li>In 11th grade, talk to your parents about what they are willing to contribute to your college and information to put in net price calculators, so that you can come up with a financially realistic application list, particularly when choosing your safeties.</li>
</ul>
<p>Pennylane2011: I looked up both Caltech and MIT…shoot those look hard to get into. I don’t believe I have a chance of getting into either (really they seem super competitive), but I can aim for it and that’s all that matters.
We have no AP Calculus, but we do have AP Chem, and I’ll be able to take that as a sophomore. </p>
<p>ucbalumnus: For English, I’m planning to take Adv. English 1 and 2, and then AP Literature and AP Language. 4 years of concert band and marching band count as music, right? Honestly, I’m not too worried about the ACT. A couple months back, we took the ACT Explore and I managed to get a 25 (out of 25). I doubt that the actual ACT will be that easy, but I did ace both the math and science sections. </p>
<p>I’m not deciding on a college just yet (it really is early), but it’s nice to have some options. I can deal with that as a junior/senior. </p>
<p>Both of you have given me something to aim for, thank you so much!</p>
<p>Those colleges are the giants, and a reach for anyone.
But there are many more good ones. What region in the US are you considering? For instance, northeast, south, midwest, west coast…
Your band counts as music grad requirements. Basically follow the requirements of the colleges you are applying to. Some also ask for 2-3 SAT 2 subject tests. Those are best taken after the most advanced class in the subject. Even if not required, most colleges will want to see Math 2, and doing well on that and SAT 2 Physics would be good. You do not need AP calc to take the SAT 2. It goes up to pre-calc. You can send both ACT and SAT 2 subject tests to colleges.
If you can take calculus at a nearby college, that would be good. </p>
<p>I’m not necessarily considering a region because there’s always the possibility that I go to college in Europe (I’m actually from Europe, and I speak English as a second language). Really, the region doesn’t bother me at all.
I will be taking calculus as a junior, but what’s the difference between that and AP Calculus? Will I be missing out on anything important?</p>
<p>You may want to find out whether your high school’s calculus course covers enough material to have a good chance of doing well on the AP calculus AB or BC test. If not, consider whether you can take calculus at a local college.</p>
<p>I’ll have to ask the Calculus teacher about that sometime. </p>
<p>Alright, thanks guys!
You answered my questions and I now have a list of things I need to get straightened out.
Really, thanks a lot!!</p>
<p>Along with the academic requirements and test scores, many colleges will want to see your passion and commitment to science outside of school. Undertaking some extracurricular activities that are physics or science related can provide additional reasons to be admitted to a university. Being interested in physics, you probably gravitate towards activities or programs that are science-based. So, in addition to the classes you take, see what you can find outside of the classroom to extend or broaden your interest in physics.</p>
<p>A lot of good advice was given to you by the preceding posters. In regard to the friend you mentioned, you really don’t need to take the SAT as a freshman. There’s no point in testing when you haven’t even completed the math curriculum yet. Some students who start taking it so early end up with more tests on their record than they would like, and then they come on here anxiously posting about whether 3, or 4, or 5 tests will look bad to colleges. And yes, I have heard admissions committees making jokes about students who take too many tests. </p>
<p>You asked for colleges. You should keep in mind that the most prominent research institutions aren’t necessarily the best learning environment for an undergraduate, but the latter is much harder to identify or measure. The top tier of physics in terms of faculty prominence and research are probably, in no particular order, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and MIT. There are many other schools which have very strong departments, such as Caltech and University of Chicago. But many of the prominent state flagship schools also have well-regarded departments, and could prepare you perfectly well for a career in physics, so you really shouldn’t spend your high school years feeling like you must get into one of those extremely selective schools or else you cannot be a physicist. </p>
<p>It is wonderful that you know what you love, and want to pursue it. Sure, you could change your mind, but perhaps you are one of the lucky ones who already has a passion, and, in your case, that being physics, and you are ready to make some goals to achieve that. It is never too early to learn how to set goals.</p>
<p>My son intends to study physics and engineering in the Fall, and since we were focused on low cost, as close to debt free as possible, for undergrad, he did not bother with applying to expensive schools. He looked for solid physics programs that offered a lot of opportunity in the labs, and, if he ends up pursuing an academic or research career, he will work to get into the best graduate school he can. Physics majors often head into other careers, though, thanks to their analytical skills, so be open to that possibility (especially as job prospects in academia are likely to become more difficult to get, at least as far as full-time, tenured professorships.) But that is getting ahead of the game for you. Gotta get through high school and college first, right? :)</p>
<p>Just focus on challenging yourself with strong core academic classes. Don’t know where you live, but you might consider taking AP classes online via Florida Virtual School (which is open to out of state students, too, for a fee) or something similar.</p>
<p>Again, my son was not interested in status or high prices, and so he is working to decide between three programs right now, all of which offer excellent physics programs and awesome scholarship opportunities: Louisiana Tech, University of Mississippi, and University of Alabama. Perhaps you never considered those schools. Well, neither did my son. There are going to be many more schools for you to consider, and, of course, if you have a dream school, well, aim for it and try to find some extracurricular activities in which you can pursue your love of physics.</p>
<p>Also, read, read, read. Some fiction, but also check out some online physics-related magazines. You will get a taste of what you might get to do as a Physics student, and you may learn about different university programs and professors.</p>
<p>Symmetry Magazine
<a href=“http://www.symmetrymagazine.org/”>http://www.symmetrymagazine.org/</a></p>
<p>American Physical Society - Physics
<a href=“Supporting Physics Education | APS Physics”>http://www.aps.org/programs/education/index.cfm</a></p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Let me try to address your question on its own terms (without trying to re-frame it into the questions I think you really ought to be asking). </p>
<p>Have a look at the “physical sciences” column on the following page:
<a href=“Doctoral Degree Productivity - Institutional Research - Reed College”>http://www.reed.edu/ir/phd.html</a></p>
<p>That column lists 12 colleges and universities whose graduates go on to pursue advanced study of physical sciences in relatively high numbers. Those schools span a variety of locations, sizes, and admissions selectivity. I’ll re-jigger it to give you the following 10, which go deeper down in the PhD productivity ranks to provide a slightly wider variety of school types (public/private, big/small, East/West/N/S):</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd College
Swarthmore College
Reed College
Lawrence University
University of Chicago
Rice University
Cornell University
Rennselear
UC Berkeley
University of Illinois</p>
<p>All these schools are at least moderately selective. Lawrence (a small liberal arts college), Rennselear (a technical institute) and Illinois (a state university) would be a bit less so than the others.</p>
<p>PhD productivity is not necessarily the best marker of undergraduate academic program quality (nor the best indicator of personal “fit”). It is, however, an objective metric that you can use to cull out a list of candidates for further inspection. You can browse the course catalogs, faculty bios, etc., of the above colleges’ web sites to begin to get ideas about what their physics programs cover. </p>
<p>I’m definitely not going to start freaking out if I don’t end up going to a “dream” college, it’s a fact of life. I can deal with it and make do with what I have.</p>
<p>Extracurricular activities: I’m actually planning to be in my HS’s math team, science team, and quiz bowl team. I’ve been in my MS’s math team and quiz bowl team these past 3 years too. </p>
<p>I haven’t read any physics magazines yet, but I have read a lot of biographies of famous physicists such as Feynman, Einstein, Hawking, and Dirac. </p>
<p>tk21769: What questions should I be asking? Sorry, I’m real new to this. </p>