Which University should I go to for my undergrad in physics?

[Vanadium 50]

Stony Brook housing and food both are trash

Really? Have you experienced either?

That's awfully judgy for someone just parroting back what they read on the internet. It also smacks of ingratitude - scan the forum: you will see many people who would do anything for the opportunities you have. You might think about making some adjustments in that area.

I agree with @CrysPhys . You still seem hung up on prestige. People keep telling yoi that this is silly, especially if you are using it to decide between the #30 and #31 school. Yet you persist. OK, your life - pick the one with the best QS ranking. I personally think that;s foolish. But its your life.

Its also really funny that after you picked two schools in the greater NYC area - the place with some of the highest housing costs in the nation - then you worry about housing costs. You want cheap housing, go to Ames.

 

[Maddy467]

* "Amazing" and "Honors" are indicators that you are still hung up (overly preoccupied) with "reputation" and "prestige". I used to know a couple of physics professors at Rutgers, but they are long gone. And of the Rutgers students that I'm friends with from figure skating, none are physics majors. So no personal insights there. As for Stony Brook, I also have no personal insights. My only comment is that for a student planning to major in physics at a NY state university, Stony Brook is the best choice among the NY state university campuses.

* For an undergrad student, potential access to top researchers and national lab facilities should not be paramount. What you want is ready access to good teachers and good mentors and good research facilities. Note that "good teacher" and "good mentor" are not synonymous with "amazing" on a Google search. You'll have a far more rewarding experience receiving personal attention from a few professors in their own on-campus labs than vying with a multitude of students from all over for attention and time slots with top researchers at national facilities. On-campus opportunities allow you flexibility for pursuing research during the academic year. You can always seek opportunities elsewhere during the summer.

* Money is an issue for you. When inquiring about research opportunities, make sure there are funded research opportunities for international students. Many are limited to US students.

* If you've pared down your choice to between Rutgers and Stony Brook, I'd recommend that you try to discuss your specific concerns via Zoom or other Internet communications service with a representative of the physics department from each. Email them in advance to let them know that you've narrowed your list down to two, and you need further information concerning X, Y, Z to make a final decision. Best case, they both agree. Worst case, they both ignore you. Intermediate case, one accommodates you and one doesn't; that in itself though would be a good indicator of which to choose.

Sorry... I've been a brat all along. Yeah... You're right. I don't want to be around top researchers to just have a glance at them. I wanna discuss the beauty of the subject with people who find it interesting. I would get opportunities at both places. And okay... Both are well-reputed.. that is incomparable. Both may have different living conditions and costs, and that is something to consider. And yeah, I will write an email to each of them to ask about their research programs for international students! Thank you for your help! I'll keep you guys updated on my position.

 

[Maddy467]

Really? Have you experienced either?

That's awfully judgy for someone just parroting back what they read on the internet. It also smacks of ingratitude - scan the forum: you will see many people who would do anything for the opportunities you have. You might think about making some adjustments in that area.

I agree with @CrysPhys . You still seem hung up on prestige. People keep telling yoi that this is silly, especially if you are using it to decide between the #30 and #31 school. Yet you persist. OK, your life - pick the one with the best QS ranking. I personally think that;s foolish. But its your life.

Its also really funny that after you picked two schools in the greater NYC area - the place with some of the highest housing costs in the nation - then you worry about housing costs. You want cheap housing, go to Ames.

I'm not awfully judging... I looked up dozens of subreddits complaining about the same thing with similar anecdotes. Yes, judging based on online information is the only thing I can do as for the personal student experience while I'm sitting miles away.

When you're leaving your home to a place where you've heard people say, "I have been to the hospital several times for the food served here that has been stale for weeks, and almost all students around do experience the same", you do take things into consideration. Yes, I know the opportunities I have are valuable. Yes, I am sacrificing a lot myself. I am from India. Here, even the top colleges would have worse living conditions from whatever has been described in those subreddits. It's not like I can't handle that.

I have taken all the pain of applying abroad while preparing for my national exams which I have aced. I am eligible for colleges in India, pretty much all of them. But I know research in India is not that great. Amidst all the competition, the pure beauty of education has somewhat been lost out here. Yes, I can even live in rags while I'm enticed in unravelling mysteries that I have dreamt about. But when you're away from your house, ig its okay for me to be judgy about getting the best of what I'm worth.

It is expensive for me... Yes, I can pay up the bills but I sure want to make it easier for me and save up as much as I can.

Have I been a brat? Yes. Do I love physics? YES! (I love learning in general tbh... Physics, Maths, Biology, Engineering and even history, economics, and architecture... but physics.. ohhhh! its got its own charm, comes naturally to me)

I am sorry for being very repetitive. I do come down to the same "online" measures because that is pretty much all I can do. Yes, I will make efforts to personally reach out to people and make up my mind on what is best for me. Thank ya'll for telling me what to consider...

 

[gwnorth]

but it sure would help if I get a research-oriented college that does have people who are meant to help students look for research positions!

I know there are schools that have career offices that help students land internships, and alumni networks can be valuable in that regard, but I'm not sure that the career offices even at the most heavily resourced private colleges are engaged in providing assistance at the level you seem to be implying. No one is going to hand you research opportunities on a silver platter. It will be on you to proactively source and seek out those opportunities for yourself. Initiative and personal drive are personality traits that frequently separate those who do ok and those who excel, and is not predicated on attending a specific college. In fact studies have shown that students who were accepted to top colleges but choose for whatever reasons to attend lower ranked schools do just as well. It comes down to hustle. You can be academically successful at all of your choices so pick the school where you would be happiest to attend.

 

[Vanadium 50]

How many is "most" students who are hospitalized for food poisoning? 80%? That's about 20,000. When a restaurant in Stony Brook sent 12 people to the hospital, it was big news. Do you really, really think 20,000 would not be? Really?

And you want to be a scientist?

You called it "trash" based solely on second-hand reports. This was foolish. While you are free to make decisions based on any criteria you like, poor critical thinking will likely not lead you to the optimal choice.

As a PS, nobody in the US will care about how many tests you aced in India. Really.

 

[Maddy467]

nobody in the US will care about how many tests you aced in India. Really.

Yeah, I know... not to brag about it, but yes, I did! Just saying that I do know how to give up on "partying" and just focus on my studies. I'm over with my leaving examinations. Non-Stem Students are all having fun. But STEM students are studying for the currently going on JEE examination. Me too! I don't need to... I aced it in the first attempt. But I love learning. And so I am.

And you want to be a scientist?

Oh yes, out of all the search results when the top 15 tell you it's not good at all, I would be concerned and call it trash.

20 students?
"Kumo Sushi and Steakhouse of Stony Brook is officially closed after twenty-eight guests who dined on Saturday, September 9, suffered from intense food-borne illness almost immediately after their meal. This food-borne illness was caused by 'improperly stored rice' according to a Suffolk County spokesperson."

that's 28 hospitalised in a day... and that is still a restaurant. People on Reddit say the restaurants are better than the dining halls, to say the least. Safe to assume not most but half of the students would at least suffer through some degree of food poisoning at some time (AND I'M OK WITH THAT, India has much worse conditions. Its just something I'm taking into consideration). Am I judgy because I'm listening to feedback on Reddit? Maybe you can call me that, ok.
(eg post )

That being said, I did ask people myself who've recently graduated from Stony Brook and they say it's not entirely poor, but okay... "mid" and they prefer eating at restaurants most of the time; little overpriced, not the best you can get at a college, but works.

So yeah ig you are right I should not have assumed anything but well, I am not wrong in taking factors into consideration when I'm moving a long way from home.


The housing: like food, several people said it's bad and old while some were ok with it. I'm ok with the costs as long as the living environment is healthy. Yeah, I don't mean I want luxury suits. But at least I wanna stay happy.

pick the school where you would be happiest to attend

@gwnorth yeah... that is what I was wishing for and I don't think there is anything wrong in researching about how student life at each of those colleges is.

@Vanadium 50, you've given me good input that I'll keep in mind. but yeah, if you wanna think I'm pushing it too much, well I am, and I want to be sure of where I'm going.

Currently, I'm Still considering Stony Brook to be a good option. But yeah, Rutgers might be a good option for me too! I'm just there looking at what each side has to offer over the other... and yeah ig that would indeed be "judging"!

 

[CrysPhys]

You can be academically successful at all of your choices so pick the school where you would be happiest to attend.

<<Emphasis added>> That's what the OP is trying to assess. Difficult to do when you're on the other side of the world.

@Maddy467 . Do you have the time and money to fly over to visit the campuses, now that you've narrowed the choices to the same region?

 

[Muu9]

Another thought: these universities likely have specific discord servers for physics majors, or a university-wide discord server with a channel for physics majors. They're likely to be much more active than reddit, so hopefully you can get better answers to the question of research opportunities for undergrads

 

[Maddy467]

<<Emphasis added>> That's what the OP is trying to assess. Difficult to do when you're on the other side of the world.

@Maddy467 . Do you have the time and money to fly over to visit the campuses, now that you've narrowed the choices to the same region?

There are issues with that. In order to come to the US, I would require a visa. I only get a visa when I have an I-20. I-20 is a document I receive from the university after I accept my offer letter and pay a deposit.

So short answer : no I can not visit US colleges before my final decision. Which is exactly why I am so cautious in choosing what's best for me, both academically and socially.

Rutgers is fun, I might get more interaction with professors as an honor student.

Stony brook has great academics and network (does not mean Rutgers does not). Life there is slightly more expensive comparatively and little 'less fun'. I would be happy with that as well.

(I am not a 100% sure about all these. I do have to rely on information present online... So I have to be judgy. And yes, I will contact each of their departments.)

But yeah, I'm considering both to be solid options for me and would love to explore more on what each has to offer.

 

[Maddy467]

Another thought: these universities likely have specific discord servers for physics majors, or a university-wide discord server with a channel for physics majors. They're likely to be much more active than reddit, so hopefully you can get better answers to the question of research opportunities for undergrads

Ayyy yeah.. thank you! Slipped out of my mind!

 

[CrysPhys]

There are issues with that. In order to come to the US, I would require a visa. I only get a visa when I have an I-20. I-20 is a document I receive from the university after I accept my offer letter and pay a deposit.

So short answer : no I can not visit US colleges before my final decision. Which is exactly why I am so cautious in choosing what's best for me, both academically and socially.

What about a tourist visa?

 

[Maddy467]

What about a tourist visa?

1. The entire visa process and visiting would be expensive, let alone the flight tickets.
2. It takes 2-4 weeks and Stony Brook's decision has to be accepted by May 1st.

So yeah, I would be relying majorly on online sources ig. Thank you for the suggestion though! However, visiting as an international student is not a good option for me.

 

[Maddy467]

All right guys... News for you all. After some careful thought and several talks with respective students from different colleges, I've enrolled at Rutgers. It's a good school; all of them are, be it Rutgers, Stony Brook, U of Arizona or Arizona State.

Rutgers, at least to me, seemed like a fun place to go. It's got a good faculty. The Honors College community is nice. I talked to the Dean and he was such a nice guy! I heard of him earlier but didn't believe people until I interacted with him myself. It leaves me with less debt than Stony Brook and U of A. It has a good alumni network, good resources, internship programs and a nice location. Overall, I would have good exposure to Academia if I would work hard. Also, there is a good option to go into industry research as well.

Regardless, places like Stony Brook (great academics), U of Arizona (great astro and optics programs), and a good mention - Arizona State University (did not consider it much but it's a well growing University in the field and I also had the most amount of scholarship here.) would have been great as well! All have their strengths and weaknesses. But yeah, I am not to look back at it now. I'm happy with my decision and am working towards my Visa process and stuff. Eager to go to college and learn cool stuff!

Thank you everyone for your help and advice!

 

[WWGD]

All right guys... News for you all. After some careful thought and several talks with respective students from different colleges, I've enrolled at Rutgers. It's a good school; all of them are, be it Rutgers, Stony Brook, U of Arizona or Arizona State.

Rutgers, at least to me, seemed like a fun place to go. It's got a good faculty. The Honors College community is nice. I talked to the Dean and he was such a nice guy! I heard of him earlier but didn't believe people until I interacted with him myself. It leaves me with less debt than Stony Brook and U of A. It has a good alumni network, good resources, internship programs and a nice location. Overall, I would have good exposure to Academia if I would work hard. Also, there is a good option to go into industry research as well.

Regardless, places like Stony Brook (great academics), U of Arizona (great astro and optics programs), and a good mention - Arizona State University (did not consider it much but it's a well growing University in the field and I also had the most amount of scholarship here.) would have been great as well! All have their strengths and weaknesses. But yeah, I am not to look back at it now. I'm happy with my decision and am working towards my Visa process and stuff. Eager to go to college and learn cool stuff!

Thank you everyone for your help and advice!

Your wave function collapsed on a good school.

 

[Maddy467]

Your wave function collapsed on a good school.

Ahahah!
Well, even though it did, The uncertainty of what's gonna happen in the future still has a lower bound. Gonna take my chances though!

 

[CrysPhys]

Thank you everyone for your help and advice!

You're very welcome. It's nice (and too rare) when a student comes back to let us know how things have turned out. Good luck in your future studies at Rutgers. [And it's irrelevant now, but it was Iowa State, not Arizona State, on your list of candidate schools, correct?]

 

[Muu9]

Take 271 and 275 your first semester unless you have calc-based physics credit already

 

[Maddy467]

You're very welcome. It's nice (and too rare) when a student comes back to let us know how things have turned out. Good luck in your future studies at Rutgers. [And it's irrelevant now, but it was Iowa State, not Arizona State, on your list of candidate schools, correct?]

Both of em lol... I applied to Arizona State, University of Arizona, Iowa State, Rutgers, Stony Brook, UBufallo, and got accepted with scholarships to all. Rejected from Purdue, UMaryland and UIUC though. Probably should've applied early. My fault I applied fo the regular decision. Just wasn't educated enough on the process until then. (funny how I later came to know universities like UMaryland have an acceptance rate of 2-3% for RD)

 

[Maddy467]

Take 271 and 275 your first semester unless you have calc-based physics credit already

sure thing... we do have coursework as rigorous as calc 2 here in India though

 

[Muu9]

sure thing... we do have coursework as rigorous as calc 2 here in India though

I meant physics 271 and 275. You can take the full credit proficiency exams for math 131 and math 132: https://www.math.rutgers.edu/academics/undergraduate/proficiency-exam

 

[Maddy467]

I meant physics 271 and 275. You can take the full credit proficiency exams for math 131 and math 132: https://www.math.rutgers.edu/academics/undergraduate/proficiency-exam

I have absolutely no idea about how and when to give the proficiency exams the site contradicts itself. First, it says there were these placement tests for freshmen. But now they aren't valid proficiency exams for full credit. Nevertheless, I can't take the placement test anyway, I am exempted because of my SAT score for some reason lol. Anyways, I'll check it out sometime later. Thank you!

 

[Muu9]

I have absolutely no idea about how and when to give the proficiency exams the site contradicts itself. First, it says there were these placement tests for freshmen. But now they aren't valid proficiency exams for full credit. Nevertheless, I can't take the placement test anyway, I am exempted because of my SAT score for some reason lol. Anyways, I'll check it out sometime later. Thank you!

Ask on the Rutgers subreddit

 

[gwnorth]

Congrats and best of luck on your undergrad journey.