Help explain different types of Grad Physics programs

[mr_bic]

I have a BS in Economics and Physics, I've been out of school for a year now and I really want to get a PhD in physics but I'm having trouble narrowing it down to a particular area (i.e. particle, material, astro, experimental, theoretical, etc. ), which in turn is slowing me down in my search for what schools I want to apply to. Please explain to me the specifics of what each is and any good schools to go with it. Thanks a lot, I appreciate it.

 

[Choppy]

That's a pretty broad question. You might get a little more help if you narrow it down a little. Some things to help you decide:
- What kind of projects did you work on in you senior year? Did you like them?
- What were your favourite classes?
- What do you read about in your spare time?
- What were the most interesting colloquia/confernces you attended?

 

[mr_bic]

Senior year I did a project in thin film thermal conduction. It was alright.

Currently, I'm working at a University doing low temperature superconducters and cryogenics and some ultra high vacuum stuff. But I will only be employed here through spring semester, I'm not a student or anything I just got the job cause the professor is a family friend and he could use an extra guy to order parts and haul stuff around. Favorite classes got to be E and M and Quantum. Like to read anything I can understand or wrap my mind around; mostly astrophysics and particle collisions. I saw this guy Ken Rogers from U of I talk about cpu chip nanotechnology, that was pretty cool.

Yea, I know it's pretty general, but my problem is I can find interest in a lot of things. I just want to get a general knowledge of what these areas in graduate physics are.. both for schooling and careers.