<p>So I want to end up going to Caltech or MIT to study theoretical particle physics. I already finished my prereqs at the local cc with a 4.0 gpa. I will be attending UWashington and I am considering triple majoring in Physics, astronomy and math with a minor in philosophy combined with an extra year of german (I got one done at the cc) I could get all of this done in 5 years if I take 3 classes each summer and 4 classes each fall, winter and spring term. However, I want to be able to fit in summer internships and research oppurtunities before graduation to help with graduate admissions. I am already plan on taking 3 terms of independent research in physics and 2 terms in math and astronomy. My reasoning behind such a huge courseload:
Physics- obviously need a strong Physics background to study theoretical particle physics.</p>
<p>Astronomy: Helps gain a better understanding of the universe and the degree is very tied in with physics.</p>
<p>Mathematics: Theoretical partical physics is very math equation based so a strong mathematics background would be very beneficial.</p>
<p>Philosophy: It is important to understand the philosophical impact of scientific endeavors.
“I fully agree with you about the significance and educational value of methodology as well as history and philosophy of science. So many people today - and even professional scientists - seem to me like somebody who has seen thousands of trees but has never seen a forest. A knowledge of the historic and philosophical background gives that kind of independence from prejudices of his generation from which most scientists are suffering. This independence created by philosophical insight is - in my opinion - the mark of distinction between a mere artisan or specialist and a real seeker after truth.” Einstein. letter to Robert A. Thornton, 7 December 1944. EA 61-574.</p>
<p>German: Graduate schools usually require language proficiency and German is just more interesting than the usual Spanish, French, Chinese etc.</p>
<p>By completing a physics degree you also complete a minor in mathematics. The astronomy degree is pretty much a minor since it shares so many requirements with physics. I also plan on completing a honors degree in math and astronomy. Physics does not offer a honors degree. I am not really worried about the difficulty of the courseload (I completed 130 credits of prereqs in 8 quarters with a 4.0 since I did so bad in high school but thats a different story). After going through psychotherapy for my ADD I can apply a very strong focus toward things that interest me and I really have a passion for physics…and videogames lol. Anyways, I was thinking that external research and internships would be important for such prestigious places as MIT and Caltech. If I wanted to devote maybe 2-4 summers to this but then I would have to go to school for maybe 1-2 extra years since you have to have your credits done by a summer quarter. I would already be going to school for 7 years without doing external research and internships…I don’t want to do 9 years of undergrad!!! But where should I make cuts… obviously not physcis…and all the subjects seem so important for future research in theoretical particle physics.</p>
<p>you need more focus. at the least i would do philosophy as a hobby- something you can study on your own. also, i don’t think that graduate schools do require language proficiency any more… at least not in the sciences. i could be wrong but i would double check this if i were you.
if you take a course load like this your performance will likely suffer, which would matter more than understanding the philosophical implications of scientific research when you are applying. i know that you think it won’t, but udub is not going to be like cc.</p>
<p>Coming from a girl who is a perfectionist and has been told this herself a few times – relax. Also – while a triple major may seem doable (crazy) but doable in terms of classes – come senior year when you may need to write three theses (and/or final projects, exams, etc), you may not be able to do it. Trust me, one honors thesis was plenty of work for me and I couldn’t imagine doing another (or two more) at the same time. At least at my undergrad, we had an astrophysics major (that way, you’d kill two birds with one stone right?) – if UW doesn’t have one - lots of schools allow you to design your own major (provided that you draft a proposal, get faculty to back you, stick to deadlines, etc). And then you could just take a bunch of math classes (you don’t need to major in something to get the benefits – like knowledge, classes for grad school etc). Majoring in something can make things way more complicated with requirements. Less on the majors, more time doing well in fewer classes, and more research.</p>
<p>The best person to consult about your ambitious plan is your academic advisor at UW. Or some faculty member who personally has sent student to CalTech before, they can give you much better opinions and they will know you a lot better than strangers from an online forum.</p>
<p>Remember that multiple majors may require more work for less benefit than simply stretching yourself within a single major and building up some good research. Plus, it is better to have a managable load with great grades than a heavy load with okay grades - don’t push yourself to destruction here!</p>
<p>At the end of the day, any of those majors can probably prepare you for the grad study you want, and that is all you are looking to do. Relax, scale it back, concetrate on a coherent course of study with great grades, and fit in some quality research time - that is what seems to get people into those programs.</p>
<p>Not really sure why you want the astronomy degree if you’re planning on doing particle physics. You’d be much better served ditching the extra classes and picking up research instead. Also, instead of doing a double major in math, which would probably require a bit of abstract math which might not be as pertinent to the work you’d be doing in particle physics, you might want to think about getting a minor and only taking classes which will benefit your career.</p>
<p>Graduate schools care about your ability to do research, not get three degrees at once.</p>
<p>This is almost exactly what I was thinking. Do a physics major and math minor and spend all the time you’d spend on those other things on research. Research >> everything else.</p>