physics or applied physics

[grae313]

does anyone have knowledge or an opinion as to which is tougher to get into? I love the flexibility of applied physics, the ability to take more classes outside physics if that's where my interests wander, or even to join a research group from another field. I'm worried though, because the departments look smaller and for Cornell, the acceptance rate is lower for applied physics. Also the departments seem to be somewhat less established and in some cases, funding is not assured like it is in physics. Thoughts?

[senatez]

You would not have to worry about Cornell's Applied physics program. Courses are filled with both Physics and Applied Physics majors. The department shares buildings and labs. It is easy for AP majors to work under any professor, and there is always available work under faculty within AP. You will not have a problem getting funding at Cornell. Being in an Applied Physics program will likely limit your ability to get involved in exclusively theoretical work.

[goodfromfar]

I've always thought that Applied Physics was easier to get into, albeit a lot smaller than physics. I've had one classmate who applied to Stanford in both physics and applied physics...he was accepted for the latter.
Applied physics programs typically don't require the physics GRE (at least they don't at Berkeley)

Maybe the program at Cornell is especially competitive?

But I agree with you that AP is much more flexible!