My Dream to Study Physics at ANU

[Cbray]

Hi , I'm in year 9 and I'm going very well in maths and physics , top maths and being lectured at anu every friday for the tott comp.

I want to do a bachelors in physics at ANU (Australian National University) as an undergrad. And I'm worried that I won't be able to make a PhB (Bachelors of Philosophy) (after college) which takes 99 ATAR (top %1) to get into.. if not I will go into a Bachelors of Science which takes 84 ATAR (easy).

If you know anything about either bachelors.. if I only make a BSc does that put me at a lower point job-wise and education wise compared to a student doing a PhB ? (the general difference is that in a PhB you do the same courses as in BSc but do research).

Here are links to the PhB and BSc..

PhB: http://studyat.anu.edu.au/programs/4660HPHB;overview.html
BSc: http://studyat.anu.edu.au/programs/3600XBSCI;overview.html

 

[Mépris]

I might be wrong but my understanding is Australian universities, including the ANU, place a lot of value on the IB diploma and A-Levels. I know people who got into law + finance with ABB (or AAB - can't remember) at A-Levels. Anyone, it won't hurt to ask. Then gauge to see which would be easier for you: getting 99 on the ATAR or whatever grade they ask for the IB or A-Levels.

Even then, isn't the PhB like the bachelor's thesis? Can you not get into that program once you're already *in* the actual Physics program? I find it stupid to allow somebody into a research program at the university level based on what he's done in high school as opposed to actual university work. So, try looking into that as well.

 

[Neptulin]

Was browsing the website and found this by chance.

I'm also planning on entering ANU to study physics, finishing year twelve this year. I was at the open day a few months ago, and I was told that a) the PhB is new to ANU, only offered for the first time last year, b) you can apply to transfer to the PhB program if you have a good GPA after the first undergrad semester (the key word here is apply), c) the PhB is designed specifically to give undergrad students early research focus and the same skills would be acquired in a PhD anyway. You just need the honours year at the end of the BSc to apply for the PhD.

And don't forget that you can apply to the BSc advanced with honours as well (http://studyat.anu.edu.au/programs/4600HBSC;overview.html), which is essentially the BSc coursework, but with advanced classes (same lessons, smarter students) and direct entry into the honors year (as opposed to apply after you get the degree).

One good thing about Australian Universities is that it's extremely easy to transfer across different courses and degrees. I was originally going to do a physics/engineering degree (solely as a back up to make finding jobs easier - Australia [like many places] has a severe shortage of engineers), but the extra two years before doing postgraduate was off-putting.

I've been on the ANU website virtually everyday for the last few months, and a few weeks ago they removed some types of majors and made them specialisations.

By the time you start your first year of undergrad, I should be starting my honours year. If you have any questions about the Uni feel free to message me. And out of curiousity, have you considered applying overseas? I only considered halfway through this year and found it was much to late. I'm definitely applying postgraduate.

And to the seasoned physicists (bow) of these forums, what do you think of ANU as a place to study physics? I've been looking around and there's really only three, maybe four universities in Australia where a good physics (if you want to go onto postgraduate) degree can be obtained. And while I'm at it, what do you think of doing Engineering courses while studying physics as an undergrad (although not enough to constitute a minor).

 

[Cbray]

Was browsing the website and found this by chance.

I'm also planning on entering ANU to study physics, finishing year twelve this year. I was at the open day a few months ago, and I was told that a) the PhB is new to ANU, only offered for the first time last year, b) you can apply to transfer to the PhB program if you have a good GPA after the first undergrad semester (the key word here is apply), c) the PhB is designed specifically to give undergrad students early research focus and the same skills would be acquired in a PhD anyway. You just need the honours year at the end of the BSc to apply for the PhD.

And don't forget that you can apply to the BSc advanced with honours as well (http://studyat.anu.edu.au/programs/4600HBSC;overview.html), which is essentially the BSc coursework, but with advanced classes (same lessons, smarter students) and direct entry into the honors year (as opposed to apply after you get the degree).

One good thing about Australian Universities is that it's extremely easy to transfer across different courses and degrees. I was originally going to do a physics/engineering degree (solely as a back up to make finding jobs easier - Australia [like many places] has a severe shortage of engineers), but the extra two years before doing postgraduate was off-putting.

I've been on the ANU website virtually everyday for the last few months, and a few weeks ago they removed some types of majors and made them specialisations.

By the time you start your first year of undergrad, I should be starting my honours year. If you have any questions about the Uni feel free to message me. And out of curiousity, have you considered applying overseas? I only considered halfway through this year and found it was much to late. I'm definitely applying postgraduate.

And to the seasoned physicists (bow) of these forums, what do you think of ANU as a place to study physics? I've been looking around and there's really only three, maybe four universities in Australia where a good physics (if you want to go onto postgraduate) degree can be obtained. And while I'm at it, what do you think of doing Engineering courses while studying physics as an undergrad (although not enough to constitute a minor).

Thanks for the reply! I'm thinking of maybe applying overseas for my postgrad but not under. If I go overseas it would to go to MIT, Cambridge, so on.. but I'm planning on being a researcher and lecturer in astrophysics at ANU as a career.

It would be cool to come talk to you once I get into first year university

 

[Neptulin]

If you do Astrophysics you can do paid summer internships at the university's observatory (Stromlo from memory?) after your second/third year. I'll have to check the website, but I'm pretty sure that astrophysics was changed from a major to a specialization.