Good undergraduate physics colleges?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around identifying colleges with strong undergraduate physics programs, particularly for students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in astrophysics. Participants share recommendations for institutions and resources for further research.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about colleges with good physics programs beyond the well-known institutions like UC Berkeley, Princeton, and MIT, expressing a long-term goal of becoming an astrophysicist.
  • Another participant lists several universities with strong physics programs, including Case Western Reserve University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and others, suggesting that prospective students research these schools further.
  • A different participant emphasizes the importance of considering smaller colleges for a more intimate learning environment, mentioning specific institutions in Ohio.
  • Participants share links to rankings and resources for finding graduate schools in physics, indicating that these tools can aid in the decision-making process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the existence of multiple colleges with strong physics programs, but there are differing opinions on the importance of school size and the type of environment that may be best for students.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the importance of letters of recommendation and personal connections with professors, which may vary by institution and individual experience.

Who May Find This Useful

High school students exploring undergraduate physics programs, parents of prospective students, and individuals interested in pursuing a career in astrophysics or related fields.

coconutcab
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Hi, I'm a senior in high school (it's the summer before my senior year) and I have been having trouble finding colleges with good physics programs. There are the obvious schools, such as UC Berkeley, Princeton, MIT, etc., but I am wondering what other colleges there are with good physics programs. My long term goal is to get a Ph.D. and be an astrophysicist. I read that aspiring astrophysicists should major in physics as an undergrad, and then specialize in astrophysics as a graduate, is this true? As far as the colleges go, money is not a factor at the moment; it will definitely play a role in which school I decide on attending after I find out which ones accept me or not (but for now, any recommendations are greatly appreciated). Thanks so much in advance! :smile:
 
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There are good physics programs at Case Western Reserve University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Maryland at College Park, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Ohio State University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, University of Rochester, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Wisconsin.

Google is your friend. One of the things it found for me is: http://graduate-school.phds.org/rankings/physics

Armed with the names of a few good schools, google the list you have and get more lists with more names. Another approach is hunt down names of widely known physicists and find the CVs or BIOs (like on WIkipedia) and see where they went to school (you might get lucky and have one as an advisor some day).
 
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Thanks Skaperen, that was really helpful! I'm definitely interested in Case Western Reserve University (especially since I live close by), so I am going to look into it a lot more. Thanks again; your help was very appreciated! :D
 
Skaperen said:
Michigan State University

Don't forget the other big school in Michigan. :wink:

And don't overlook the small colleges if you can afford them and like a smaller, more intimate environment where you can really get to know your professors and vice versa (hint: letters of recommendation). In Ohio, Oberlin, Kenyon and Wooster are pretty good.
 
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