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UCLA vs. Maryland

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:21 pm
by mirage
Just trying to get some opinions out there. I'm interested in hep-th/cosmology, but any info about the departments/programs in general would be really useful as well. Also, does anyone have experience with quals at these schools? Is there any major weeding out at either?

Re: UCLA vs. Maryland

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:11 pm
by kangen558
Hi, I'm a 2nd year theory student at UMD.

According to the department, once they admit you, they expect you to get through and graduate. The qualifier isn't too terrible: It's two parts: a classical physics test and a modern/quantum physics test. You can pass/fail each part individually, and you get a total of three attempts at the exam, plus the traditional free shot. The department also provides a booklet of old qualifier problems, so all in all it's not so bad. Like I said, there aren't really any major weeding out events. In terms of required classes, the department doesn't have too many demands, so long as you pass the qualifier. Hope this helps :-)

Re: UCLA vs. Maryland

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:41 pm
by mirage
kangen558 wrote:Hi, I'm a 2nd year theory student at UMD.

According to the department, once they admit you, they expect you to get through and graduate. The qualifier isn't too terrible: It's two parts: a classical physics test and a modern/quantum physics test. You can pass/fail each part individually, and you get a total of three attempts at the exam, plus the traditional free shot. The department also provides a booklet of old qualifier problems, so all in all it's not so bad. Like I said, there aren't really any major weeding out events. In terms of required classes, the department doesn't have too many demands, so long as you pass the qualifier. Hope this helps :-)
Thanks Kangen! What theory are you doing btw?

Re: UCLA vs. Maryland

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 11:44 am
by aksjdkhas
UCLA's qual isnt too bad either. They recently made it SLIGHTLY tougher but only because it was a joke before. Most people pass the first time, and even if you don't, you have unlimited chances to retake it.

Re: UCLA vs. Maryland

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 2:15 pm
by mirage
aksjdkhas wrote:UCLA's qual isnt too bad either. They recently made it SLIGHTLY tougher but only because it was a joke before. Most people pass the first time, and even if you don't, you have unlimited chances to retake it.
I assume you're a current student there... How doable is it to live there on a UCLA stipend?