Schools in New York for Physics B.S. - GPA 3.4, 4.0 Major

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around potential transfer options for a student seeking to complete a Bachelor of Science in Physics in New York. Participants share insights on various universities, their programs, costs, and social environments, while considering the implications for graduate school aspirations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in transferring to a local school to save money, mentioning a current overall GPA of 3.4 and a major GPA of 4.0.
  • Another participant shares positive experiences with graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), noting their competence in engineering roles.
  • A graduate student from the City University of New York (CUNY) system discusses various schools, highlighting Columbia, NYU, City College of New York, Hunter College, and SUNY Stony Brook, while mentioning the high costs associated with Columbia and NYU.
  • Concerns about the high tuition at RPI are raised, with one participant expressing a desire for schools within the SUNY system's price range but remaining open to more expensive options if they are highly regarded.
  • Social life at Stony Brook is debated, with mixed opinions on whether it is "dry" due to commuting students, while some participants share personal experiences of social activities despite the campus policies.
  • Financial aid options at RPI are suggested as a potential avenue for reducing costs for local students.
  • One participant advises not to be discouraged by Columbia's cost, noting that financial aid is available for middle-class families, although admission is competitive.
  • A participant mentions having friends at Stony Brook who enjoy their experience, although this is presented as anecdotal evidence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the best schools for a Physics B.S. in New York, with no consensus reached on a single preferred institution. Discussions about social life and financial aid options also reveal differing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the high costs of certain institutions and the potential for financial aid, but there are no definitive conclusions about the best choice for transferring. The social environment at various schools remains subjective and varies based on personal experiences.

aglo6509
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Hello I'm going into my second year of a community college and need to start looking at schools to transfer too. I live in New York and I know there's some good schools here so I'm thinking about staying local to save some money because I want to go to gradschool. I'm open to any suggestions on what schools would be the best to finish of my B.S. in Physics however.

My overall GPA as of now is around a 3.4 and my major GPA is a 4.0 if that helps.

Thanks.
 
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I don't know how their physics program shapes up, but I have worked with two newly-minted women engineers in pulp and paper that graduated from Rensselear Polytech, and their level of competence was very good, compared to most newly-hired engineers. They really hit the ground running.
 
I am a second year physics graduate student in the City University of New York (CUNY) system. I'll be teaching out at York College next semester, but I'll be taking classes at the Graduate Center. I am studying astronomy, so I'll also be working out of the Natural History Museum (I'll be running all over the place!).

There are, of course, Columbia and NYU, but they're very expensive. City College of New York has a good program, and Hunter has a fairly sizable individual department, as well. I can't really comment on many of the other programs in CUNY, but they're aren't all great. You could also consider going out on Long Island and applying to SUNY Stony Brook, which has an enormous program. I haven't had any interaction with people from there, so I don't know what it is like out there, and I've only been to the campus once.

I don't know much beyond that. I am a native Marylander, so I've only been up in NY City for a year.
 
I live not even 10 minutes away from RPI and would be set on going there if tution wasn't 62,000$ a year and rising. I am looking into Stony Brook a lot because I know they have a great math and science program, I just don't know how the social life is down there. Some say its dry others don't so I don't really know.

I'm looking for a price range like the schools in the SUNY system, but I'm not afriad of taking out a lot of money so if hear of a great college but its a little on the expensive side I may go for it.
 
aglo6509 said:
I live not even 10 minutes away from RPI and would be set on going there if tution wasn't 62,000$ a year and rising. I am looking into Stony Brook a lot because I know they have a great math and science program, I just don't know how the social life is down there. Some say its dry others don't so I don't really know.

I'm looking for a price range like the schools in the SUNY system, but I'm not afriad of taking out a lot of money so if hear of a great college but its a little on the expensive side I may go for it.
I didn't know RPI was so expensive. Should have checked a little more carefully. The two engineers that I worked with were very well-educated and up-to-speed on stuff like process-control software and hardware (this was in the early 80's). When I was a process chemist, I had to train incoming engineers to get the up to speed on processes relevant to our pulp-mill.

Those ladies moved right into engineering slots on the newest, most advanced high-speed coated paper machine in the world and held their own. Those RPI engineers impressed the hell out of me. We had new engineers from UMO, McGill, and other really good schools, too, but the Rensselaer ladies were tops, right out of the chute.
 
aglo6509 said:
I live not even 10 minutes away from RPI and would be set on going there if tution wasn't 62,000$ a year and rising. I am looking into Stony Brook a lot because I know they have a great math and science program, I just don't know how the social life is down there. Some say its dry others don't so I don't really know.

I'm looking for a price range like the schools in the SUNY system, but I'm not afriad of taking out a lot of money so if hear of a great college but its a little on the expensive side I may go for it.

From personal experience partying at Stony Brook, it is a dry campus but people party like hell anyway. Then again, I don't think that should be a major choice changer. You shouldn't be going to school looking forward to partying.
 
aglo6509 said:
I live not even 10 minutes away from RPI and would be set on going there if tution wasn't 62,000$ a year and rising. I am looking into Stony Brook a lot because I know they have a great math and science program, I just don't know how the social life is down there. Some say its dry others don't so I don't really know.

I'm looking for a price range like the schools in the SUNY system, but I'm not afriad of taking out a lot of money so if hear of a great college but its a little on the expensive side I may go for it.
Have you contacted the financial aid office at RPI? They may have some aid programs specifically geared toward students who live nearby and wouldn't pose a load on their residence/food service programs. It doesn't hurt to ask...
 
DeadOriginal said:
From personal experience partying at Stony Brook, it is a dry campus but people party like hell anyway. Then again, I don't think that should be a major choice changer. You shouldn't be going to school looking forward to partying.

I'm not talking about partying, its just if I go to a school where 3/4 of the people leave on the weekends because they're commuting, that seems it gets a bit dry there. For me anyways.
 
turbo-1 said:
Have you contacted the financial aid office at RPI? They may have some aid programs specifically geared toward students who live nearby and wouldn't pose a load on their residence/food service programs. It doesn't hurt to ask...

Well, I wouldn't have to worry about living on campus because it's only mandatory for freshman/sophomores to live on campus. However I go to a local community college now and kind of want to leave my area for a little bit.
 
  • #10
I would also add that, unless your family is rather wealthy, don't be discouraged from Columbia due to the cost. Most middle-class (<$150,000) people can get a fair amount of financial aid. Of course though, it is very competitive to get in.

I have friends at Stony Brook who very much like it, for what its (a nonspecific anecdotal evidence) worth!
 
  • #11
aglo6509 said:
I'm not talking about partying, its just if I go to a school where 3/4 of the people leave on the weekends because they're commuting, that seems it gets a bit dry there. For me anyways.

Sorry I misunderstood.

Yes. It does get a little dead out there on the weekends.
 
  • #12
n1person said:
I would also add that, unless your family is rather wealthy, don't be discouraged from Columbia due to the cost. Most middle-class (<$150,000) people can get a fair amount of financial aid. Of course though, it is very competitive to get in.

I have friends at Stony Brook who very much like it, for what its (a nonspecific anecdotal evidence) worth!

Funny thing you mention Columbia, my cousin is working on his Ph.D there and I believe is teaching a couple classes.
 

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