Physics Major: Should I transfer to UCLA or UCSB?

[JJHK]

Hello, I am currently a college student planning on transferring this upcoming fall.

I am a Physics major with plans to get a Ph.D in theoretical Physics.

What school, do you think, will better prepare me for my academic path?

Thanks all!

 

[micromass]

The school in undergrad matters very little actually, as long as you don't go to a real bad college.

Perhaps find out which school will be the cheapest for you...

 

[daveyinaz]

Perhaps find out which school will be the cheapest for you...

Aren't the UC's all part of the same entity? Doesn't that mean that tuition and stuff like that would be the same?

 

[micromass]

Aren't the UC's all part of the same entity? Doesn't that mean that tuition and stuff like that would be the same?

I'm not familiar with it, so you're probably right. But you also have to consider cost of living and other stuff.

 

[JJHK]

The school in undergrad matters very little actually, as long as you don't go to a real bad college.

Perhaps find out which school will be the cheapest for you...

So I'm assuming that it is your graduate school that matters? Then is it difficult to get into a good grad program such as Cal Tech from schools like UCLA and UCSB? Say I did well in my undergrad years at one of the two schools, with mostly A's. Would I still have a difficult time getting into Cal Tech?

 

[micromass]

So I'm assuming that it is your graduate school that matters? Then is it difficult to get into a good grad program such as Cal Tech from schools like UCLA and UCSB? Say I did well in my undergrad years at one of the two schools, with mostly A's. Would I still have a difficult time getting into Cal Tech?

You will always have a difficult time to get into Caltech. You will be competing against top students from all over the US. I don't think there's anybody out there who can say with ease that they'll get into Caltech.

But I don't think that going to UCLA or UCSB will harm your chances. Your undergrad school doesn't really matter that much. Anybody correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[PhDorBust]

So I'm assuming that it is your graduate school that matters? Then is it difficult to get into a good grad program such as Cal Tech from schools like UCLA and UCSB? Say I did well in my undergrad years at one of the two schools, with mostly A's. Would I still have a difficult time getting into Cal Tech?

If you're transferring now as a sophomore and haven't started doing research/gotten an REU for this next Summer, you've probably missed the Caltech train. Straight A's with no research experience won't get you even in UCLA's grad program.

 

[JJHK]

Ouch!

 

[Vanadium 50]

Straight A's with no research experience won't get you even in UCLA's grad program.

Are you on the UCLA admissions committee?

 

[PhDorBust]

Are you on the UCLA admissions committee?

From data points of past applicants who have posted their profiles online, this is the case for UCLA and basically any other decent grad program. What are you trying to say?

 

[Vanadium 50]

Research is a good idea, because it gives the student some idea if graduate school would be a good fit, and the letter writers something specific to write about. It is not, however, anything like a requirement. Excellent universities accept students without research experience all the time.

 

[daveyinaz]

From data points of past applicants who have posted their profiles online, this is the case for UCLA and basically any other decent grad program. What are you trying to say?

I think that making a generalization based on what a few people put on their facebook or myspace page hardly encompasses all the possibilities when it comes to admittance into graduate school, UCLA or otherwise.

 

[Stengah]

I would visit each school and talk to people in the department to make your decision.