What Should I Do About My Undergrad Dilemma?

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College admissions decisions have left many students disappointed, with one individual sharing their experience of being rejected from their top five choices and only gaining admission to Rutgers and the University of Richmond, while being waitlisted at BU and NYU. This student is reconsidering their academic path, contemplating a shift from physics to engineering, specifically biomedical or aerospace engineering. They express dissatisfaction with Rutgers and are open to transferring to institutions like UVa, William & Mary, Vanderbilt, or various California schools, despite concerns over budget cuts affecting those schools. The discussion also touches on the reputation of the University of Richmond for producing successful physics graduates and the value of its 3-2 engineering program in collaboration with Columbia or UVa, raising questions about the adequacy of this program compared to a traditional four-year degree in engineering.
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So college admissions decisions week has come and passed, and it left a pool of disappointment. I wasn't admitted to my first five choices, and only got into my safety, Rutgers, and into University of Richmond (a LAC in Richmond, Va). I was, however, waitlisted at BU and NYU. I'm a bit torn though because I was always fairly sure I wanted to go into physics, but recently I've been second guessing myself and now I feel like engineering (Biomed or Aerospace) might be the better option. I know URich doesn't have eng, but I really didn't like Rutgers when I visited. What should I do?

I'm also VERY open to transferring, even though I've always had reservations about it. If I were to transfer it'd be to any of UVa, William & Mary, Vanderbilt, or possibly a Cali school such as Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, Harvey Mudd, or Pomona
 
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At this point if you want to do engineering you only have one choice: Rutgers. You could wait and see how BU and NYU shake out if you want.
 
amill311 said:
or possibly a Cali school such as Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, Harvey Mudd, or Pomona

Keep in mind that California's state schools are undergoing severe budget cuts right now, because of the state's financial crisis.
 
@ fss: I am not entirely sure if i want to, i just figured i would consider it as an option

@ jtbell: that's a good point, ill probably just save those for grad school then

However I mostly was wondering if anyone had an opinions on URichmond as a school. Is it known for producing physics grads that tend to do well in grad school and beyond? And also, they have a 3-2 engineering program there, and it is with either of Columbia or UVa, they offer it with both. Is a 3-2 engineering program worth it, or do grad schools/employers see those as insufficient in terms of the breadth of knowledge one would acquire in only 3 and 2 years compared to the full 4?
 
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