Which University for Undergraduate degree in physics

[gsingh2011]

I want to obtain a degree in physics. Here is the list of colleges I'm applying to:
University of Michigan
University of Chicago
Cornell
California Institute of Technology
Princeton
Stanford
Harvard
MIT

Are there any other colleges I should consider? Any schools in between Michigan and the Ivy leagues?

 

[fss]

That's a pretty ambitious list. You probably already know that unless you have an exceptionally strong application (near-perfect GPA, extracurriculars, essays, recommendations) Chicago, Cornell, CalTech, Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, and MIT are probably out of the question.

There are plenty of good undergraduate physics programs. Williams, Swarthmore, Harvey Mudd, Brandeis, Ithaca, Berkeley, UCLA to name a few.

 

[eri]

You can do undergraduate physics pretty much anywhere, including liberal arts colleges, and still get into a great graduate program. But without knowing your GPA (unweighted), SAT scores, activities, research experience (did you know half the students who get into CalTech each year have already done research with a college professor while in high school?), and what state you live in (since U Mich is very hard to get into from out of state) it's hard to help you.

 

[gsingh2011]

GPA - 4.0
ACT - 33
SAT Math2/Physics - 800
National Merit Semifinalist

I've taken some college math courses including number theory and graph theory and a few others at Oakland University.

While I haven't done a research project with a professor, my school, which is an IB school requires a 4000 word paper on any topic of choice. My research question investigated the affects of different curvatures of the blades of wind turbines on their output voltage (data was actually collected and analyzed, not just analyzed).

Those are just some major things I can think of on the spot. I have a strong passion in physics that I think I convey well in my essays. I live in Michigan (not to be cocky, but there's no way I'm not getting into U of M...). If there is a program that's only slightly better than U of M's program, then I'm not willing to travel that far. However, if its on par with MIT's program I'm willing to travel.

 

[rezeew]

I would recommend considering other factors in addition to the prestige of the universities listed. Some important factors to consider when choosing a university for an undergraduate degree in physics include the quality and reputation of the physics department, available research opportunities, and the overall fit of the university for your academic and personal goals.

That being said, the universities you have listed are all well-respected in the field of physics and would provide a strong foundation for your studies. If you are open to considering other schools, I would suggest looking into top-tier public universities such as University of California Berkeley, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. These universities have highly ranked physics departments and offer a balance between research opportunities and a diverse student body.

Additionally, there are many excellent liberal arts colleges with strong physics programs that may be worth considering. Some examples include Williams College, Swarthmore College, and Amherst College. These schools may not have the same name recognition as the universities you listed, but they offer a more intimate learning environment and a focus on undergraduate education.

Ultimately, the best university for your undergraduate degree in physics will depend on your individual goals and preferences. I encourage you to thoroughly research each university's physics program and reach out to current students or alumni to gain a better understanding of what each school has to offer. Best of luck in your decision-making process!