Upcoming deadline for college registrations-

[Peavey6505]

Hi, the deadline for applying to colleges is coming up at the end of this month, according to the counselor I visited, and I am at a loss. I am currently attending a community college and intend to transfer to a university with a major in Physics (I think).

I have completed all but 1 of the Physics courses offered at the community college. I don't really have a good idea of a university with a good undergraduate program for physics (maybe engineering) which I can realistically be accepted to. I don't want to have to wait another year for an opportunity to transfer and yet I don't want to make a hasty decision of which school to attend. All in all what I am asking is for recommendations for schools with good undergraduate programs in physics preferably in CA. I have a decent overall GPA (3.6) however have achieved a 4.0 in all my physics and math courses. Any help or advice is appreciated.

 

[CKwik240]

You don't necessarily have to decide before the deadline. First of all, you are merely applying and unless you have signed up for and qualify for a transfer guarantee program, you still have to be accepted. Best course of action is to apply to all the schools you are considering seriously and perhaps a few more just in case. You can decide from the schools that accept you at that time. The only urgent decision might be if any of the schools are impacting a specific program you are interested in. And in that case, you may need to make sure you are choosing the right major as you may not be able to switch to an impacted major later. I already received an email from one of the Cal State Schools telling me that since I applied for an impacted major, that they may not process my alternate major if I don't get in with the primary. One thing you might do is declare the major according to the school. More specifically, part of your decision would be which school has a better program for which major. Can't provide much specifics in the way of which schools are best as I have no clue about physics programs at various schools and you didn't specify what kind of engineering. Generally though, UCLA and Berkeley seem to come up often with regards to Engineering when it comes to public schools in CA.

 

[Mene]

I understand the importance of careful consideration when making decisions about your education and future career path. It is commendable that you have completed most of the physics courses offered at your community college and are looking to transfer to a university with a major in Physics.

I would recommend researching different universities in California that have strong undergraduate programs in physics. Some reputable schools to consider may include the University of California Los Angeles, University of California Berkeley, and California Institute of Technology. These universities have highly ranked physics departments and may be good options for you to pursue your studies in this field.

Additionally, I suggest reaching out to the admissions offices of these universities to inquire about their transfer requirements and deadlines. This will give you a better understanding of your chances of acceptance and help you plan accordingly.

It is also important to consider factors beyond just the academic program, such as location, campus culture, and research opportunities. I encourage you to visit the campuses and speak with current students and faculty to get a better sense of the overall environment and determine if it is a good fit for you.

Lastly, I commend you on your strong academic performance, particularly in your physics and math courses. This will certainly work in your favor during the admissions process. I wish you the best of luck in your college application journey and in pursuing your passion for physics.