Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with university and physics

Should I try to transfer to another university?

Perpetual Seeker — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 12:24:10 -0800

Should I try to transfer to another university? I'm currently attending Duquesne University for physics and math. I'm going into my sophomore year.

I'm really worried though about the lack of resources at this university, and also the fact that physics isn't really one of its primary majors, nor something it is known for. I want to go to grad school after I graduate, because i'd really like to get into research. For that reason, I am also looking into getting very involved in research as an undergrad. Duquesne doesn't have many resources when it comes to research. I think it might have 2 credits for research in one's senior year, but that's about it.

I'm also a little worried that when I try to go to grad school, they will judge me based partly on the undergrad university I went to, even if I do very well. I really think I have the potential to get into a very good university.

For those reasons, I am heavily considering transferring to another university. I'm not sure which yet, though am considering Carnegie Mellon, since it is so close and is a very good school.

Here are some of my stats:

In high school, I graduated with around a 3.75 GPA

I got 1970 on the new SAT's (1290 on the old). I think it was something like, 640 for verbal, 650 for math, 680 for written

I got 670 on the math subject SAT's

I have a 4.0 GPA at Duquesne

I am in the honors college at Duquesne

The only thing I'm worried about is, I also took the Chemistry subject test in high school, and did horribly on it (400). I had absolutely no interest in Chemistry, and hadn't taken it for two years, but my physics class was a joke (horrible teacher) so I didn't think I could do very well on that. I don't know if CMU looks at this.

So the questions are:

Should I attempt to transfer to another university?
Would Carnegie Mellon be a good choice? If not, what would you recommend?

Personally, I'd rather be a rock star...

shoebox — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:19:55 -0800

What can I do with a degree in Physics? What doors and pathways will it open for me? How long will I need to study before I am able to call my self a Physicist and make a meaningful contribution in my field? I'm about to make what seems to be the biggest decision of my life. Applications have been sent and responses have been received. Now comes the hard part.

My parents (one of whom is a computer engineer) are hell-bent on making me an Engineer (EE or CE) and have resorted to every known form of propaganda and coercion to force me to think like them. To be honest, I don't really think engineering is suited for me. I can certainly do the mathematics and tackle the theoretical aspects of it, but have never had the practical ability needed. I am horrendous when it comes to using my hands to do anything constructive (although I excel at things destructive).

The main argument my parents use is that engineering will quickly land me a good job after graduation, opportunities will be plenty money will come easy, whereas pursuing a career as a physicist would involve me studying till I get my Masters or PhD and most likely end me up in some teaching position (do not want) or spend the rest of my life as a lowly (and poor) researcher.

My question basically is this: Are my parents wrong when they say Physical Sciences is career suicide? Will I be able to do as well out in the "real world" following a career in Physics (Theoretical or otherwise)?

P.S. I will most likely attending U of Waterloo (physical sciences) or McMaster U (either physical sciences or engineering). Since engineering involves a common first year here, I have the choice when it comes to specialization so I definitely have more choices than my parents present me with.

Bad GPA = No future?

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:13:32 -0800

I'm a sophomore physics major at a fairly prestigious university (USN&WR Top 25) known for its technical and scientific offerings. My parents currently pay for tuition and dorm housing, with no financial aid. However, my grades have been lower than they expected, and they are now refusing to pay for me to return next year. What are my options? My parents say that they're not getting their money's worth for the grades I'm producing, so they are now only willing to pay if I transfer to the cheaper state school or local community college. My total GPA without this semester is about a 2.5, but it was this semester's mid-term grades that pushed my parents over the edge, a 1.75 (with not much hope for improvement before the end in a few weeks). They also say that I'm wasting my time at my current school, since a bachelor's in physics is useless except as a step to graduate school - and that I can't get into graduate school with my GPA.

My main question is about options. What can I do? If I try to remain at my current school, is it worth it to get a loan and live with the debt after I graduate? There's no way a job I could get would even put a dent in tuition payments. Is a bachelor's in physics in fact useless with my GPA? One of my advisors mentioned that physics majors often went to law school, which is something I've always wanted to do - is that impossible as well? Any general advice would also be appreciated.

Montreal or San Jose?

chrispy108 — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 10:13:40 -0800

Studying Abroad? Montreal or San Jose Previous thread: http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/50117

Thanks to all this advice and lots of research I had decided on Montreal, preferable McGill, but with Concordia as a backup. (McGill is hard to get into apparently).

However, my Uni just added San Jose State as a partner.

Does anyone know what they're like for Physics? and more importantly, what the area is like?

Answers over e-mail (username@gmail.com) or msn (username@hotmail.com) gladly accepted!

Should I study abroad? Where?!

chrispy108 — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 14:08:51 -0800

Study-aboard, is it worth doing a year aboard as part of my physics degree, if so, where? I'm currently in my 2nd of a 3 year Physics degree at the University of Hertfordshire, England. I've got the option to spend the next year at a University abroad. It seems like it will be a great experience, as well as looking great on the CV/Resume.

The list of partner unis are:

USA
Central Connecticut State University
Kansas State University
University of North Carolina Wilmington
University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University
University of Toledo
University of West Virginia
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

CANADA
Bishops University
Concordia University
McGill University
Malaspina University-College
Okanagan College

There are also European Partners, but the idea of Quantum Physics in a foreign language hurts my head!

I'm particularly drawn to McGill/Concordia, as they're the only universities on the list that are in a city (Montreal). I've never lived in a city, but have always enjoyed being in cities, and I feel it'll be easy to do things while I'm there.

Does anyone have any thoughts on studying-abroad in general, and more specifically, any inputs on any of the Universities/their locations.

Physics vs Geography, the undying battle

Serial Killer Slumber Party — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 04:53:47 -0800

Physics vs. Geography at university. Which is better to do, specifically careerwise? I'm currently attending university in Australia (a science degree), and am considering dropping physics (in which I have invested much time and effort) for geography (which I have done little in, but am very enthusiastic towards).

My reasons for wanting to leave physics, (of which I was in the advanced stream, if it is of any consequence) is that the course increasingly becomes more maths-based the further along the course I go. I am capable at mathematics, but not particularly skilled or enthralled about it at all. I also cannot see myself enjoying any career derived from phsyics.

My question is, would having a geography major be career suicide? I am also doing a chemistry major, if it means anything. What kind of occupations could one get that make use of a geography major (particularly in Australia)?

I'm not officephobic, but something that keeps me active would be great, as long as I don't earn a meager salary as a compromise.