What would i tell why you interest in physics in an interview

[Bradwast88]

Hey

Hey guys i have an interview in undergraduate physics on tommorow.What would i tell if they ask why do you interest in physics?Actually because i need to learn about Genaral realativity,M theory,string theory and so on. So is this an intelligent answer?Will they think i am an insane?

Thanks
Have a nice day

 

[ZapperZ]

This is rather strange, assuming that I have clearly understood what you are asking (I had to read it a few times).

It appears to me that you are going to be interviewed for why you are studying physics, and you're asking for the reasons from us? That doesn't sound kosher for an interview that presumably is to get your own personal reason, does it? Is this interview for an admission into something and the reason why you want it to sound "intelligent"?

You should also be careful on what you give as answers, especially if you haven't thought it through and if it really didn't come from you. Someone could easily ask "Yes, but WHY do you NEED to learn about GR, M-Theory, String Theory.. etc?"

Zz.

 

[Bradwast88]

Because i love them.Because they are all bizarre.

 

[ZapperZ]

Because i love them.Because they are all bizarre.

Well then, good luck to you with that answer.

Zz.

 

[Bradwast88]

Actually i need to get pass through the interview. Is this a proper answer?

 

[elect_eng]

Because i love them.Because they are all bizarre.

I think I see why you are asking us this question. You study physics because you love it. I think most people here can relate to that. However, you realize that this answer, which is the truth to you, may not give the best impression in the interview.

I think the simple solution here is to answer the question honestly, but to phase it very carefully. For example, if I were interviewing you, I might prefer to hear your answer worded as follows.

"I've loved Physics from a young age. The subject is mysterious and interesting on so many levels. I'm particularly fasinated by some of the more bizarre subjects of physics, such as GR, M theory and string theory. This fasination is what drives me to study physics and it motivates me every day to continue to study and to learn."

Then I would direct addional comments toward the purpose of the interview. You havn't specified (clearly) whether this is a job interview, or a school admissions interview or something else. However, you can try to show why your love of Physics and your areas of interest are going to help you with things that the interviewer cares about. You should know what those are, but if you don't know, then finding out is the most important thing you can do in preparation.

 

[Bradwast88]

Thanks all of you

 

[Bradwast88]

actually this is undergraduate physics admission interview

 

[fasterthanjoao]

You should consider more carefully what ZapperZ meant in the first post. When someone asks a question of the type "why do you want to study physics?" - they want to know if you're interested in the subject, and how you know that you are interested.

Saying you "love general relativity" or anything like that isn't particularly helpful. How do you know you like GR/string theory? Did you read about them in popular science books? Do you know anything about the actual physics behind such work? (though, since you're pre-undergraduate, chances you'll genuinly know something useful about these subjects is extremely unlikely. So be very careful when using something you do not/cannot understand as the entire basis of your application.)

Did you enjoy physics in school? What topics did you like?

They want to know why you're applying for the course, and how you know that you're interested in it. Consider the following: Did you like maths? Chances are, if you're applying to physics, then yes, you like/enjoy maths. Why not apply to a mathematics degree instead? Are you interested in practical maths? Essentially, why physics?