Reply to UCSB (Santa Barbara) physics program

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Any perspective on choosing physics at UCSB vs UIUC?[/quote]
What levels of physics knowledge/experience do they have? For those with more experience who can test out of the intro courses via [url=https://physics.illinois.edu/academics/courses/proficiency-exams]proficiency exams[/url] UIUC is better than non-CCS UCSB[/quote]

Interesting, can you elaborate? My DC is a senior who took two AP Physics C classes as a junior and is taking Physics at a community college now. And he did *not* apply to CCS at UCSB unfortunately. [/quote]

Not the PP so I can’t elaborate on testing out of UIUC intro courses. But your DC can apply to CCS after he gets in. I think they have applications every quarter.[/quote]

Thanks. Is it hard to make the switch, if the kid is a top performer?[/quote]

I’m not sure how difficult it is to make the switch. If the kid is a top performer and is passionate about the subject, I think he/she has a good chance.[/quote]

DP
Parent of UCSB CCS physics grad - Students actually Cannot apply to the CCS until after they have been admitted to UCSB. For physics,

CCS students often have similar profiles to Ivy League admits in terms of high GPA in difficult subjects. However, UCSB takes great pride in having many first generation, Hispanic and military vet students and they often take top students of modest means from local community colleges (which in California tend to be excellent). The atmosphere is collaborative.

There are 9 different majors and the CCS admin say that they are looking for convincing demonstration of both intellectual talents and sustained interest in the different disciplines. Most importantly, the students themselves need to be absolutely certain that they want to specialize so early on.

CCS really is like a post grad program for undergraduates. They are doing advanced research from the beginning and can do post grad courses from junior year on. They don’t have to do all the general requirements for most under grad students. That is only helpful for students who are sure of what they want to do. The vast majority of CCS grads go onto doctoral or other post grad  programs and many are accepted into the top PhD programs in the country.

CCS is not for everyone as many young people change their minds about what they want to focus on.

As PP said, the regular UCSB physics program is also very strong for students who don’t want to hyper specialize at CCS so young. The Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics is also part of UCSB.[/quote]

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