Schools What schools have the best physics _teachers_.

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on finding colleges with strong physics programs and accessible teaching staff, particularly for a student transferring from a community college who has the opportunity to apply for a significant scholarship. The student is already applying to top-tier schools but is seeking recommendations for institutions that prioritize teaching quality over research prestige. Smaller liberal arts colleges are highlighted as potentially better options due to their focus on student-teacher accessibility, though there is acknowledgment that these schools may offer fewer undergraduate research opportunities. Specific colleges mentioned include Reed and Harvey Mudd in the West, Grinnell and Oberlin in the Midwest, and Swarthmore and Dartmouth in the Northeast, among others. The conversation emphasizes the importance of application deadlines, with some schools still accepting applications. Overall, the thread seeks to identify institutions that balance quality education in physics with supportive teaching environments.
Malitic
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I'm sure similar questions have been asked before, but all the threads Google and the search seem to find are the standard lists of ivy league schools. If you know of a good thread or two please drop a link.

I'm transferring out of a community college, and I was planning to transfer directly into the state university, but I was unexpectedly nominated for a fairly large and exclusive scholarship, and I have a fairly good chance of getting it, so I'm suddenly able to apply to a more varied selection of schools.

I'm already applying to all those "top 10" schools for this fall, but beyond these schools, what schools have good physics teachers? Not which ones score the best. (This was very short notice for me, so ones with a deadline that isn't already passed is a plus.)
 
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This isn't always going to be the case but it seems to me like smaller liberal arts type colleges are better as far as teaching goes (or so I've found in my bit of research). This is mostly because teachers are more accesible to students at these schools and a lot of the time aren't totally devoted to research. The downside being that there isn't as much research (if any) for undergrads to be involved in. I was going to recommend Reed but the deadline was the 15th. I'm sure others can point you in the right direction as far as where to apply though.
 
I agree with Helical. And there are a lot of research opportunities for undergrads. It is far from the case that there are NO research opportunities.
 
Helical said:
I was going to recommend Reed but the deadline was the 15th.

I checked it out and the transfer deadline isn't until March, so I'm reading up on it.
 
Is location a factor? Here are some places that come to my mind quickly. Don't take it as a comprehensive list.

West: Reed, Harvey Mudd

Midwest: Grinnell, Oberlin, Kenyon

Northeast: Swarthmore, Dartmouth, Williams, Middlebury, Union

Southeast: Davidson, Furman, Guilford
 
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