UCSB (Santa Barbara) physics program
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Anonymous
You are welcome. Yes we are based in DMV. We were worried about the distance but UCSB had an amazing student service and support system plus the CCS provides mentors/ advisors for their students. Most students at UCSB are from California and various friends invited DC for thanksgiving and other holidays. They made many great friends there both through CCS and recreational sports that can be highly competitive but in positive ways. Our DC graduated 5 years ago and is thriving. We are so happy they attended UCSB CCS as it was an excellent academic and social experience with beautiful nature all around. However, it would not be good fit for everyone. |
Anonymous
This is so helpful, thank you so much! May I ask if there were any financial breaks for out of staters? Was she able to earn money through working or get scholarships or anything like that? |
Anonymous
The regents scholar program is full ride and merit based. Many of the students get part time jobs at Alta Vista and some whiz kids even get hired as students by big companies such as Google. Our student focussed on studies and sports in addition to getting publications needed for applying to good PhD programs. Out of state tuition is expensive for sure. Best wishes for your DC finding the best fit physics school for them. BTW- If your DC is a girl, the one down side at UCSB CCI is that there were very few female students in the physics program (although there are many young women in the other 8 disciplines). |
Anonymous
My understanding was that it used to be full ride but does not look like it is now. However, there are other scholarship opportunities for outstanding students. https://www.finaid.ucsb.edu/scholarships/regents-scholarship Program Benefits In addition to the monetary award, Regents Scholars receive: • Guaranteed housing in the university residence halls for the first year, guaranteed housing in either the university residence halls or undergraduate apartments for subsequent years, and priority consideration for preferred building and room type for the duration of the Regents Scholarship. (Housing application deadlines and class level eligibility must be met.) • Extended borrowing privileges at UC Santa Barbara’s Davidson Library to accommodate research needs. • Membership in UCSB’s Regents Scholars Association (RSA), presenting opportunities for leadership, interaction with faculty, and academic and social programs. The Regents Scholars Association (RSA) provides: • Academic and social programming • Opportunities for leadership, networking, faculty interaction and community service https://ccs.ucsb.edu/news/2020/2020-goldwater-scholarships Each year some 5000 college sophomores and juniors majoring in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering fields apply for approximately 400 Barry Goldwater scholarships. This year, three UC Santa Barbara students, two of which are in CCS Physics, received 2020 Goldwater Scholarship Awards (https://goldwater.scholarsapply.org/2020-goldwater-scholars-by-legal-state-of-residence/). These students, who displayed “intellectual intensity” and “potential for a significant future contribution to research” included Alec Cao (CCS Physics ‘21) and Max Prichard (CCS Physics ‘21) as well as College of Letters & Science Biology student Veronica Hsu (‘21). Last year, a CCS Physics and a CCS Biology student received the scholarship (https://ccs.ucsb.edu/news/2019/ccs-students-receive-national-level-awards) https://my.sa.ucsb.edu/catalog/Current/CollegesDepartments/ls-intro/ScholarshipOpportunities.aspx#:~:text=These%20prestigious%20merit%2Dbased%20scholarships,%2C%20Truman%2C%20and%20Udall%20Scholarships. The Scholarship Coordinator in the College of Letters and Science Division of Undergraduate Education facilitates the application process for students in all colleges applying to national and international scholarships that require campus endorsement. These prestigious merit-based scholarships provide support for a variety of pursuits including public service, study abroad, unique domestic and international graduate programs, and more. Opportunities include but are not limited to the Beinecke, Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Goldwater, Truman, and Udall Scholarships. Overall (for both graduate and undergraduate students), awards average $3,600. Scholarships can be used for college, graduate, and vocational studies, including law school and medical school. . |
Anonymous
Have him take the proficiency exams; most other schools don't have them (at least not officially) |
Anonymous
| Another similar program is Ohio University's Honors Tutorial College. Students take one on one tutorials with professors and have no prereqs so they could theoretically take postgrad courses freshman year |
Anonymous
| Either UCSB or UIUC would be a very credible BS Physics degree. Pick the best fit school if admitted to both. Both schools are lotteries for OOS admissions. |
Anonymous
Agree. They are both top 10 physics schools. Not just top 10 of the public schools, but top 10 period. And yes. Definitely a “lottery,” especially for UCSB as that is what the UCs are known for. Can’t go wrong with either UCSB or UIUC. Great schools! |
Anonymous
| How do UCSB and UIUC compare to UMD? Much of a difference there for physics? |
Anonymous
Yes they are all different. And all are excellent physics departments. All offer way more than any undergrad could hope to learn. |
Anonymous
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If the poster with a UCSB grad is still around, would love to hear more about distance. Understood that breaks can be spent with friends, but did you stress at all being so far away from kid if anything goes wrong (illness, injury, alcohol, etc.)?
Thanks, we have a student accepted to a couple CA schools and considering whether to attend. Thanks again. |