<p>I am looking for a small university with a reputable physics program. This is because I want to go to a great grad school for physics. A small school will let me know my professors better with a shy personality like mine and a reputable program will make anything I do look better. Research is a high priority. So, what are some options?</p>
<p>Note: I prefer cold weather with some precipitation, though I am not limiting myself to that.</p>
<p>Small university or small college? Or both?</p>
<p>If university, I would think that the University of Rochester might fit the bill. I think of it as more “mid-sized,” with about 4-5,000 undergrads, but it is smallish for an actual university.</p>
<p>4-5000 is actually about a perfect number. My idea of small is 15,000 or less. I live in Arizona, so I am used to comparing ASU and U of A to NAU as a small school…</p>
<p>And thanks. That’s one to look into for me for sure.</p>
<p>Physics students at Rhodes have done research on NASA’s vomit comet as well as all kinds of other research - use of ultrasonic waves as a treatment for bone maladies, the effects of microscopic decomposition of polymers used in artificial joints, the characteristics of magnetic vs. gravitational orbital systems, etc. There are two observatories on top of the physics building, one with a 14" cassegraine (sp?) and I don’t know what’s in the other; some sort of IR instrument. The department claims that it is 17th in the nation in producing physics Ph.D.s, but I haven’t personally confirmed that number.</p>
<p>Look into Harvey Mudd (Claremont Colleges)—(sorry no cold weather!)</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.hmc.edu/academicsclinicresearch/academicdepartments/physics1.html]Physics[/url”>http://www.hmc.edu/academicsclinicresearch/academicdepartments/physics1.html]Physics[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Clark University in Massachusetts.</p>
<p>Reed in
portland</p>
<p>Take a look at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A small LAC, but with a strong physics department that does a lot with student research. They also have a really good track record of getting kids into top flight grad schools. ( One recent grad is currently doing a unique program where he is doing an archeology degree at Oxford and doing a Physics degree at MIT!!)</p>
<p>RPI (NY), Carnegie Mellon ¶ and Case Western (OH).</p>
<p>check this out. [Physics</a> & Astronomy @ Johns Hopkins University](<a href=“http://physics-astronomy.jhu.edu/]Physics”>http://physics-astronomy.jhu.edu/)</p>
<p>Holy Cross-near Boston.</p>
<p>OK! If you define small is a enrollment of 5k to 15k then the sky is the limit. All of the Ivies and CalTech and MIT are excellent choices. By the way at most schools the number of physics majors is tiny compared to engineering, biology or chemistry departments. Often potential physic majors are offered an advanced intro course and you would need to work hard to avoid getting to known the faculty. By the way it is common for undergraduates to involved in a research project. I have known several undergraduate physic majors at these schools that worked in the labs of Nobel laureates.</p>
<p>Carleton in Minn[ cold enough for you?]
U of Chicago has only 4000 UG’s and is a top U for those interested in research</p>
<p>^
5000 undergrads at Chicago.</p>
<p>Brandeis certainly comes to mind. Maybe Tufts.</p>
<p>Princeton.</p>
<p>William & Mary has a good physics program that concentrates on undergraduate research. Through various programs professors are conducing research with students on solar cells, wind power, I know there’s a huge mechanics laboratory, one of the largest magnets on the east coast, and they are currently doubling the size of the physics building to add more research space, among other things.</p>
<p>W&M has about 6000 undergrad students and 2000 grads and is know for dedication to undergraduate teaching and research. It has grad and professional school acceptances 15-20% above the national average.</p>