Hey guys,
I’m currently a high school senior second semester who applied to Cornell early decision for physics but got rejected from the College of Arts and Sciences. I’m planning on attending UIUC for physics and then applying to Cornell again after my first two semesters at UIUC. What should I do in preparation?
I think it’d be beneficial to write my current stats as I believe my high school transcript and high school life will be considered.
High school cumulative gpa: 4.269 (freshman year my gpa was below 4.0, but after that, I’ve consistently gotten above a 4.4 gpa with difficult courses). An important thing to note is that my first semester senior year I’ve gotten all A’s except for AP Physics C which was a B-. However, right now I have an A+ in AP Physics C.
Senior course load:
AP Calculus BC
AP Physics 2
AP Physics C
AP Literature & Composition
AP Biology
Humanities Capstone (1st sem) / Creative Writing (2nd sem)
Test scores:
ACT - 33 composite (34 superscore)
SAT Math II - 800
SAT Literature - 640
AP US Govt & Politics - 4
AP Chemistry - 5
AP Computer Science - 4
AP Language & Composition - 5
AP Physics 1 - 5
Look at Cornell’s undergrad physics program and try to take the same classes at UIUC, and get As. See if you can sign up for freshman research in physics. However, UIUC is just phenomenally good in condensed matter physics, if that interests you, its ranked a bit ahead of Cornell, for graduate programs, so you may want to see how you like UIUC, before you jump ship. Undergraduate experience will be different at Cornell, with smaller class sizes. UIUC does not lack in rigor in physics though at all. If its substantially less expensive for you, perhaps stick with UIUC.
Solid state physics ranks, UIUC is number 1 in nation:
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/condensed-matter-rankings
Overall rank for graduate programs:
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/physics-rankings
You will be able to find fantastic physics research options at either school.
This is Cornell’s major course sequence, FWIW, just posted this elsewhere on CC by coincidence:
http://physics.cornell.edu/sites/physics/files/2015-Courses-at-a-Glance.pdf
A fledgling physics major is best served taking the Honors sequence. These courses require a high level of calculus proficiency coming in, as well as very high mathematical aptitude. (Which a physics major needs to have).
During the first two years students would also be taking various distribution requirements of the College of Arts & Sciences. Which you can look up. BTW one can also do physics via the Engineering Physics major in the College of Engineering. The major sequence would be similar, but non-major course and distribution requirements are different.
Why do you want to transfer from UIUC to Cornell?