Stony Brook or Auburn or Virginia?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision-making process for transferring to a university to study physics, specifically comparing Stony Brook, Auburn, and the University of Virginia. Participants share insights on academic programs, campus life, and personal experiences related to these institutions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight that all three universities are well-respected, with Virginia noted for its public school experience and in-state tuition benefits.
  • One participant argues that Stony Brook has a strong academic reputation, particularly for preparing students for graduate school, citing its faculty and research opportunities.
  • Concerns are raised about the social atmosphere at Stony Brook, with some describing it as a "ghost town" on weekends, contrasting it with the more vibrant social life at Auburn and Virginia.
  • Another participant mentions the importance of visiting campuses to gauge the environment, particularly on weekends, to get a true sense of student life.
  • Academic challenges are discussed, with a participant warning about the potential adjustment difficulties when transferring from a community college to a university setting.
  • Monetary considerations are emphasized by some, suggesting that cost should be a primary factor in the decision-making process.
  • There are references to the academic rigor at Stony Brook and the potential for a dip in grades when transitioning to a more competitive environment.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the graduate program status at Stony Brook.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of each university. There is no consensus on which institution is definitively better, as discussions reflect both academic and social considerations, leading to multiple competing views.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors influencing their decisions, such as the balance between academic challenges and social life, the importance of faculty interactions, and financial implications. There are also references to personal experiences that may not apply universally.

Who May Find This Useful

Prospective undergraduate students considering a transfer to study physics, particularly those weighing academic reputation against campus life and financial concerns.

andy_adinolfi
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Im transferring as an undergrad next semester and planning to study physics. I've been accepted into Auburn and stony brook so far. I am still waiting to hear from VA. since i live in VA its my top pic, but it is very competitive so I am ready for rejection.
I believe both stony brook and auburn have great undergrad physics programs, maybe even better than UVA.
Do you folks have any advice?
Thank you.
 
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Certainly all three are well-respected.

Virginia offers a top-notch public school experience together with a good in-state tuition. And, if he remains on faculty, Mike Fowler is incomparable.
 
TVP45 said:
Certainly all three are well-respected.

Virginia offers a top-notch public school experience together with a good in-state tuition. And, if he remains on faculty, Mike Fowler is incomparable.

I would say Stony Brook, BUT, be warned, a lot of people hate it at Stony Brook. I go to Stony Brook for math and it is a really good program here. I have a bunch of friends who are physics majors (some are going to UT-Austin for PhD studies) and I really don't think Auburn or Virginia can compare in terms of preparing you for grad school.

So the academic aspect, Stony Brook wins hands down. I know grad school rankings don't matter, but Stony Brook is generally regarded as a top 25-30 school for grad school. (If you don't believe me check the US News Rankings and the NRC rankings). To me, it matters a little bit since Stony Brook has some really really well known faculty members in both math and physics and because of this, you at least have an opportunity of working with them and getting some great research experience.

However, undegrad is not completely about studying (as opposed to grad). Stony Brook is a very dead campus. I'm talking to you from experience. I live on campus and it is seriously a ghost town on the weekends. I am fortunate enough to have good roommates but some people really hate it here. The main reason is that it is a big commuter school and a lot of the kids that do dorm, are from long island and so they go home on the weekends. I'm nearly positive Auburn and Virginia are much better socially, but not really as good academically. I would go to UVA personally. I feel like UVA is probably a good school for physics, NOT GREAT, but it's probably much more fun to attend.

My advice, VISIT these schools. Stony Brook has an AWESOME faculty for physics. I believe that going to Stony Brook, getting involved in research with some professors and doing well will definitely give you the best shot of becoming a physicist. But, I really have to stress, it's not as active of a campus as UVA or Auburn, not by any stretch. Visit Stony Brook on a weekday but also visit it on a Saturday afternoon. The weekday can be very deceiving, the weekends will show you what it is like. I'm assuming you are not from around Stony Brook, so this might be a big deal for you.

Either way, good luck with everything.
 
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Stony brook did seem like a pretty depressing place. All that dirty concrete was a little scary.
Thanks for your advice. I do like to go out on the weekends but two hours into NYC is a little far.
 
andy_adinolfi said:
Stony brook did seem like a pretty depressing place. All that dirty concrete was a little scary.
Thanks for your advice. I do like to go out on the weekends but two hours into NYC is a little far.

When I was there, Thursday nights was the night for parties... and the weekends were relatively quiet, as described above. You don't have to go into NYC to enjoy being off-campus. If I recall correctly, Port Jefferson is nice. You may need a car... or know someone with a car.

Oh... academically, I thought Stony Brook was pretty good. I transferred into the junior year and double-majored in Physics and Math... and enjoyed the interaction between those departments. (For example, they attended each others' seminars.) It's convenient that their buildings are connected. I had access to faculty and was able to take a few graduate courses as an undergraduate.
 
If you're looking for the most academically challenging school, I'd certainly switch my recommendation to Stony Brook. But, transferring after (I presume) your sophomore year usually means there was something lacking at your present school. What was that and which of the three best meets that need?
 
TVP45 said:
But, transferring after (I presume) your sophomore year usually means there was something lacking at your present school. What was that

ha, that sounds just like the question all the schools i applied too wanted a 1 page answer for.
I will be earning my associates degree at my community college at the end of this semester.
so ill need two more years for a bachelor.
I like the sound of academically challenging.
This is the main attraction that stonybrook has. But its only undergrad right. So i am also very attracted to the greatness of SEC football at auburn.
Also at Auburn there is a high ratio of faculty to students in physics. But Stonybrook works with Brookhaven laboratory.
and then stony brook requires me to make a decision by may 1st, and i probably won't have heard from UVA by then.
ARRGGHH
 
A bit of unsolicited advice: I'm guessing you're transferring out of a VCC school. If so, you're in for a bit of a rude shock your first semester, and you should be prepared for that infamous dip in grades and the "Thanksgiving depression". You're now going to be in classes with some amazingly smart people. Just be prepared for it and hang in there.

Did Stony Brook close its graduate program?
 
TVP45 said:
A bit of unsolicited advice: I'm guessing you're transferring out of a VCC school. If so, you're in for a bit of a rude shock your first semester, and you should be prepared for that infamous dip in grades and the "Thanksgiving depression". You're now going to be in classes with some amazingly smart people. Just be prepared for it and hang in there.

Yeah i have been a bit scared of this. I've got a 3.7 at nvcc which, at a university, would probably be just a 3.0 or even less.
In preparation for this i have decided not to work for my fist year at the university and get a cot in the Library!
Also i think it would be helpful for me to study over the summer. E&M , Quantum, math.
Any good, reasonably priced book recommendations?
Thanks again
 
  • #10
I would say monetary concerns should be number one, or at least they would be for me. I know plenty of people who got into MIT for undergrad but decided to go to NCSU because of the prospect of graduating with so much debt. In the end, it is usually not worth it career wise, but maybe, academically it may be worth it. The way I see it you should consider your options in this order

cost>academic strength>university life.

I say this because as you say you are transferring, and so will only be there for 2 to 2 & 1/2 years.
 
  • #11
i suggest you read this study.

http://www.physicstoday.org/vol-56/iss-9/p38.html
 
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  • #12
mathwonk said:
i suggest you read this study.

http://www.physicstoday.org/vol-56/iss-9/p38.html

Ha, that's funny, a guy in the picture for NCSU is now a math grad student here. He is in my Galois theory course and my Algebraic Topology course.
 
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  • #13
mathwonk said:
i suggest you read this study.

http://www.physicstoday.org/vol-56/iss-9/p38.html

Interesting study. Thanks for the link. I'm not completely sure what to make of it.
 
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