<p>I am currently attending a community college and I have completed 28 units and am taking 6 units right now in the summer. I plan on applying to the UC’s but my primary choices are UCLA and Berkeley.</p>
<p>I have already completed calculus I and II, physics I. I am currently taking intro to linear algebra and DE. I will take multivariable cala, physics II and III, the two chemisty classes, and an intro to computer science class.</p>
<p>Since I plan on being a theoretical physicist and getting a ph.d to study string theory perhaps, I was wondering whether it would be worth it to double major in both math and physics. I heard the double major would be really helpful for my future but what I’m concerned about is how that would work currently in the community college.</p>
<p>I heard that for double majors in physics and math, there is alot of overlap in the lower division classes but not so in the upper division classes. Is this correct?</p>
<p>Anyway, I was just wondering what would be the best advice to prepare for grad school if I’m only in a community college right now. I will take all the required physics and math classes that are part of the physics major agreement between my cc and UCLA and Berkeley. Is there anything else I can possibly do now to better prepare such as self-studying for future classes, doing as much employment work as possible, etc?</p>
<p>I’m in pretty much the same situation as you and therefore can only really pass on the information that I’ve read (I’ve tried to research it a lot ;)). </p>
<p>Basically, coming from a community college you need to make sure that you can keep up when you get to the community college. What I’ve been doing is going to the personal websites of the university faculty teaching the classes I am taking and printing off their syllabi. This way, you can check to make sure you are covering the same material and if need be, self-study the stuff that you have not. Many professors also have example homework and quizzes online that you can use to make sure you’re learning just as much as those at the University you plan to transfer to.</p>
<p>I think that a double major might be helpful for string theory because there is so much math involved, but an important fact to remember is that you don’t have to decide your major right now. Keep taking math and physics classes, but keep your options open at the same time but don’t limit yourself to only “string theory” or only “condensed matter physics.” By the time you graduate, you may find your interests have drastically changed and now you are intersted in plasma physics. I’m in the same dilemma right now about double majoring though, I only need 3 additional astronomy classes for a double major in astronomy and physics, but would most likely need to stay an extra year because of scheduling issues with the sequence. </p>
<p>Right now, I think you should just concentrate on learning the material as throughly as you can. Good grades are very important in the transfer process. Also, reading up on current developments and research in physics might be good so that you can refine your research interests and start looking for potential research mentors at the university you plan to transfer to.</p>
<p>ok thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>No prob, did I see you on physics forums too ;)?</p>