- #1
Subdot
- 78
- 1
Hello members of physicsforums! I had not ever planned on making use of this section of the forum because I had joined primarily for the wonderful homework help facilities here, but I figured that since I already have an account here I might as well. Needless to say, I am a little nervous about posting this because this is my first time posting a thread like this…
Anyway, I was accepted to Florida Atlantic University’s Honors College (a subdivision of Florida Atlantic University). From lurking around here, the general advice seems to be that one’s choice of school for undergraduate education does not matter so long as the desired department(s) is good. So I was wondering about the quality of this school’s undergraduate physics and math programs. Has anyone here any knowledge of this or is able to figure it out?
Some background information to help. I am a senior in high school who is self-studying math from Apostol’s Calculus. I really enjoy math and physics, and because I did well enough on my SATs and in school to have a shot at being admitted, I did what most in my position have done and applied to MIT. I was deferred to regular decision and so am still awaiting a decision.
In retrospect, that was probably a good thing in that it prevented me from making the rash decision of enrolling there immediately. From lurking and reading around here and in particular the posts related to MIT, I’ve gotten some cold feet. From my earlier research about the Institute I knew it was an extremely intense place to go to school, but I guess it didn’t click in my mind exactly how intense until I read some posts here. I love a good challenge, do tend to “kill myself” in my school work and self-studies, and do realize that I am not the best of the best, but some of the descriptions of MIT make it sound quite…scary.
My point is that I had originally applied to FAU’s Honors College as a backup plan in case I didn’t make it into MIT or other places I applied to (which includes UF). Now that I know more about MIT though, the Honors College seems much more attractive, especially considering it is only about a half hour away and is quite cheap. However, I have no clue as to how good its math and physics departments are (i.e., whether I would learn those two as well there as elsewhere). Knowing this would be valuable for me as I hear from more admissions offices and ultimately decide where to enroll.
A slight complication arises in that I do not know whether I would prefer to do an engineering degree instead of math or physics (I was advised to go somewhere where I could have plenty of opportunities to do undergraduate physics research, so I could see whether I would be happier in engineering or physics)…but I guess that’s another topic unless it helps for you all to know what my ultimate goals are. Also, if it helps I do plan on going to graduate school in whatever interests me though most likely in math, physics, or engineering, so it is important to me to go somewhere that won’t hinder me from being accepted to such a graduate school.
Thanks ahead of time for any information and/or advice!
Anyway, I was accepted to Florida Atlantic University’s Honors College (a subdivision of Florida Atlantic University). From lurking around here, the general advice seems to be that one’s choice of school for undergraduate education does not matter so long as the desired department(s) is good. So I was wondering about the quality of this school’s undergraduate physics and math programs. Has anyone here any knowledge of this or is able to figure it out?
Some background information to help. I am a senior in high school who is self-studying math from Apostol’s Calculus. I really enjoy math and physics, and because I did well enough on my SATs and in school to have a shot at being admitted, I did what most in my position have done and applied to MIT. I was deferred to regular decision and so am still awaiting a decision.
In retrospect, that was probably a good thing in that it prevented me from making the rash decision of enrolling there immediately. From lurking and reading around here and in particular the posts related to MIT, I’ve gotten some cold feet. From my earlier research about the Institute I knew it was an extremely intense place to go to school, but I guess it didn’t click in my mind exactly how intense until I read some posts here. I love a good challenge, do tend to “kill myself” in my school work and self-studies, and do realize that I am not the best of the best, but some of the descriptions of MIT make it sound quite…scary.
My point is that I had originally applied to FAU’s Honors College as a backup plan in case I didn’t make it into MIT or other places I applied to (which includes UF). Now that I know more about MIT though, the Honors College seems much more attractive, especially considering it is only about a half hour away and is quite cheap. However, I have no clue as to how good its math and physics departments are (i.e., whether I would learn those two as well there as elsewhere). Knowing this would be valuable for me as I hear from more admissions offices and ultimately decide where to enroll.
A slight complication arises in that I do not know whether I would prefer to do an engineering degree instead of math or physics (I was advised to go somewhere where I could have plenty of opportunities to do undergraduate physics research, so I could see whether I would be happier in engineering or physics)…but I guess that’s another topic unless it helps for you all to know what my ultimate goals are. Also, if it helps I do plan on going to graduate school in whatever interests me though most likely in math, physics, or engineering, so it is important to me to go somewhere that won’t hinder me from being accepted to such a graduate school.
Thanks ahead of time for any information and/or advice!
Last edited: