Physics undergrad, something else graduate

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The discussion centers on a junior physics student who is also pursuing a second major in electrical engineering. Despite maintaining a GPA above 3.0, the student struggles with test performance and feels less capable than peers, leading to anxiety about pursuing graduate studies in physics. However, they have found passion and ease in an interdisciplinary life science research lab, particularly in systems biology, and wish to continue this work during their undergraduate studies. The student expresses a desire to attend graduate school, specifically in physics, but is apprehensive about the challenges ahead and is open to exploring other graduate programs that might align with their interests and skills. Suggestions include considering fields like biophysics, medical physics, computer science, or even medical school, emphasizing that a physics background can provide diverse opportunities for graduate studies.
tolove
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I'm going to type where I stand in life, and I intend to be a little open ended. I hope to learn from how you would proceed if you were in my shoes.

I'm a junior in physics, older than average, and am about to start a second major in electrical engineering.

I have an amazing tendency to mess up on tests, and, in general, I do not feel particularly smart compared to my classmates. I am managing to hold above a 3.0 in my physics classes, however. This, to say the least, has me quite afraid of physics for graduate studies.

I've fallen into an interdisciplinary life science research lab over the summer, and I absolutely love it. The material, at least compared to what I was expecting, feels easy. Best of all, I find it interesting, I feel like I can actually make scientific progress here. I want to continue with this lab as an undergraduate at the very least. If I go to graduate school, it will be with this lab. (They do a lot of things, more or less related to systems biology.)

I was never expecting to do well in school. I was intending on pulling a 2.0gpa and teaching high school (something I still want to do later in life).

Graduate studies in physics is what I want to do (at the very least, I want to take graduate E&M). Although, I'm rather hesitant about the idea. I'm afraid of failed out. I'm sure there are other programs that I would also enjoy, and have less stress along the way.

What other graduate programs would I be able to get in? How do graduate programs even work?

Thanks for your time!
 
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If you managed to publish with work in that lab, then systems biology, or even biophysics graduate programs, will be doable.
 
I think a BS in physics can lead to many graduate programs. There's Biophysics, Medical Physics, Computer Science, Medical School after taking MCAT etc.
 
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