- #1
t!m
- 147
- 6
Hi everyone,
I'm finishing up my undergrad with a double major in chemistry and physics. My interests are right at the cusp of the two, in chemical/statistical physics. I've been doing research for over a year in molecular dynamics with a well-known prof in the chemistry department, resulting in a first author publication (and hopefully more to come by the time I graduate).
In short, I'm debating whether to attend graduate school in Physics or Chemistry. I feel I'm stronger as a chemistry applicant (courses taken, activities, letters of rec, etc) and there are some great programs for what I want to do, e.g. the groups at UC Berkeley. At the same time, I really like physics, I do very well in my classes, and feel I might get a more rigorous education in proper statistical mechanics from a physics department (in addition to other important related subjects like classical and quantum mechanics), but I might have to settle for a less prestigious university.
Any advice on (a) whether the subject is best pursued through physics or chemistry and (b) how much I should take into consideration my more substantial chemistry background?
Thanks very much.
I'm finishing up my undergrad with a double major in chemistry and physics. My interests are right at the cusp of the two, in chemical/statistical physics. I've been doing research for over a year in molecular dynamics with a well-known prof in the chemistry department, resulting in a first author publication (and hopefully more to come by the time I graduate).
In short, I'm debating whether to attend graduate school in Physics or Chemistry. I feel I'm stronger as a chemistry applicant (courses taken, activities, letters of rec, etc) and there are some great programs for what I want to do, e.g. the groups at UC Berkeley. At the same time, I really like physics, I do very well in my classes, and feel I might get a more rigorous education in proper statistical mechanics from a physics department (in addition to other important related subjects like classical and quantum mechanics), but I might have to settle for a less prestigious university.
Any advice on (a) whether the subject is best pursued through physics or chemistry and (b) how much I should take into consideration my more substantial chemistry background?
Thanks very much.