- #1
R.P.F.
- 211
- 0
Hello guys,
Before I start, I just want to say the what I am going to say below is just my personal opinion. I'd like to hear about it if you disagree. I just hope no one gets offended by this.
I am a math and physics double major and thus spend plenty of time in both departments. Some math majors would take advanced-level physics classes like quantum, QFT and GR and they would end up doing pretty well in the class. When physics majors take advanced-level math classes like real analysis and abstract algebra, they would have a pretty hard time. They usually struggle through the first semester with a 3.3 or 3.0 and you never see them again the second semester. Of course there are exceptions. I know several physics majors who have done well in advanced-level math classes. But in general, I get this feeling that physics majors in my college are not as good as math majors intellectually. (Again, this is just my personal opinion. Please don't be upset or offended by this.)
I first thought this difference was restricted to my school until the time of applying to REUs came. I know several physics majors with GPAs around 3.4(3.3 is the average) got into REUs. I also heard that plenty of math majors with GPAs around 3.8 did not get into anywhere. I know recommendations might be a problem but as far as I know they were great students and should have received very complimentary recommendations. I don't know about physics REUs, but I feel that math REUs are getting unreasonably competitive. The SMALL REU received over 400 applications for 21 positions, half of which were filled by Williams students...
So is this true in general? The field of math is more competitive than the field of physics?
Before I start, I just want to say the what I am going to say below is just my personal opinion. I'd like to hear about it if you disagree. I just hope no one gets offended by this.
I am a math and physics double major and thus spend plenty of time in both departments. Some math majors would take advanced-level physics classes like quantum, QFT and GR and they would end up doing pretty well in the class. When physics majors take advanced-level math classes like real analysis and abstract algebra, they would have a pretty hard time. They usually struggle through the first semester with a 3.3 or 3.0 and you never see them again the second semester. Of course there are exceptions. I know several physics majors who have done well in advanced-level math classes. But in general, I get this feeling that physics majors in my college are not as good as math majors intellectually. (Again, this is just my personal opinion. Please don't be upset or offended by this.)
I first thought this difference was restricted to my school until the time of applying to REUs came. I know several physics majors with GPAs around 3.4(3.3 is the average) got into REUs. I also heard that plenty of math majors with GPAs around 3.8 did not get into anywhere. I know recommendations might be a problem but as far as I know they were great students and should have received very complimentary recommendations. I don't know about physics REUs, but I feel that math REUs are getting unreasonably competitive. The SMALL REU received over 400 applications for 21 positions, half of which were filled by Williams students...
So is this true in general? The field of math is more competitive than the field of physics?