Is VCU really that bad of an undergrad when applying to top schools?

Graduate School
1

<p>Im a high school.senior, and im planning VCU, but I have a bit of a dilemma. I was accepted into the School of Arts and I plan on majoring in Graphic Design. However, I plan to double major in a science, and I’m currently debating between biology and physics. However, I also plan on attending grad school, and I want to be accepted into a higher ranked university fot the sciences, like Carnegir Mellon. But VCU’s physics program isn’t even ranked by USNEWS and the biology department is ranked at 144. Will VCU’s lack of standing in the science world limit what grad schools I can attend? I am also planning to enroll in the Honors Program, if that helps.</p>

2

<p>Why would you major in design if you currently plan on going to grad school in a science?</p>

3

<p>If you are going to VCU primarily for art, then other universities might understand why you went to a school with lesser prestige in scienitific fields (assuming they are aware of VCU’s artistic prestige). Also, even though VCU might not be a powerhouse university for non-art subjects, if you do very well at VCU I think you can get into many top-notch graduate programs.</p>

4

<p>Sorry I didn’t clarify. I want to get degrees in both fields, as I love them equally. I know it would seem to make more sense to just apply to Carnegie mellon as a freshman, but the tuition would out of state, and super expensive.</p>

5

<p>It’s a public research university, you’ll be fine but you have to make the effort to get into a lab and get experience.</p>

6

<p>First of all, Carnegie Mellon is private so in-state or out-of-state is irrelevant. Second, as far s physics programs are concerned, most undergraduate programs in the U.S. are very similar and can prepare you for a good graduate program. It mostly depends on how you take advantage of the opportunities at your school and how seriously you take your coursework. Since the content of the courses is the same at most universities and even the books are often the same, you should be able to get a good preparation for the Physics GRE and graduate school.</p>