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U Pittsburgh vs Florida State U

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 4:08 pm
by devil_incarnate
Hi!
I am an international applicant for PhD program in Physics, Fall 2009.I have been selected by the U Pittsburgh and the Florida State U.I have applied for Experimental Condensed Matter Physics and currently am confused as to which school to opt for? Can anyone help me with your suggestions please...

Re: U Pittsburgh vs Florida State U

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:00 pm
by G01
I had two REUs at Pittsburgh in Condensed Matter Experiment. I enjoyed them both and met several of the CME professors. They have a lot of cool research going on.

I can't say much about FSU though.

Re: U Pittsburgh vs Florida State U

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:40 pm
by devil_incarnate
thnx for your reply...[:)]

Re: U Pittsburgh vs Florida State U

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:41 am
by tiyusufaly
Florida State is a really underrated place, and is particularly strong for condensed matter experiment. They have the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) there, the largest magnet lab in the US. Scientists from all over the US and the world go there to do experiments. Check them out, they get a lot of good work and publications.

Re: U Pittsburgh vs Florida State U

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:07 pm
by gliese876d
Hi I'm finishing my undergrad at Pitt, and I can tell you two things:

1. Where are you from? Are you used to a cold climate? Pittsburgh is very cold in the winter.

2. I hate to talk badly of professors here, but be aware that one of the condensed matter professors here is infamous for collaborating with Michael Behe in advocating intelligent design, as well as authoring a book writing a "biblical case" for and old earth . To me, these things completely undermine his credibility as a scientist, not to mention, from my limited interaction with him, he is quite sexist. Just FYI...

3. According to US News and World report, our ranking here at Pitt for graduate physics is exactly tied with FSU, but I do think there are some excellent faculty members here and the urban environment is very nice (assuming you can stand the cold winters).

HTH