PhD Aerospace and double major

64lakers
Tue, 08 Oct 2013 21:53:00 +0000

Hi!

I am currently a junior in college (graduate in dec 2015) pursuing BS in aerospace engg with minors in phys and math. Princeton is one of my highest priorities for grad school (PhD) due to some of the faculty members and their research programs. At the same time I know it is extremely selective (for good reason). Since my normal graduation date is dec and princeton accepts grad students only in the fall, I have from Jan-Sept to do something else. I have 3 terms of research experience already and am looking at continuing it through my undergrad.

I have a dilemma, All the physics classes I have taken or am taking, I do extremely well with relative less effort than my engg classes. It seems to come more naturally to me. So I am considering a double major in Physics which if i start next fall I can graduate by doing an extra semester (Spring 16). Do you think it is worth it? Career wise? Would it help my graduate application or would it hinder? Right now I am looking at grad in in aerospace but if i go for the physics, I could also work in applied phys (fusion power, plasma etc) which I am highly interested in too. So my final question would be, is all this trouble going to be worth it?

PS none of the aero or phys courses overlap except freshman year physics!