PhD in Physics and Astronomy

Tristan Bachmann

(He/They)

Why did you choose UR for graduate education (other than for your advisor)?

When I came to the visiting weekend, the atmosphere was really warm and welcoming. The physics and astronomy department felt more down to earth than at many other R1 universities. The current grad students I met were all incredibly friendly, and I felt like U of R would be more than just a place to get my education but also a place to find a wonderful community of people.

What resources or services (social, academic, or anything else) have you found most helpful at UR?

The gym has honestly been one of the most helpful resources for me. A few other physics students invited me to join them when I first came to campus, and it's been great for my mental and physical health. It really helps combat the effects of sitting at a desk all day and is also a great place to go swimming or play volleyball and other pick-up games.

What are your favorite spots on or off-campus (restaurants, festivals, natural trails, or whatever) in Rochester?

I would definitely recommend the canal trail and Mount Hope Cemetery/Highland Park; they're all great places to go for walks or a bike ride. If you bike down the canal trail in the summer, you can stop at the Pittsford Dairy for some really good ice cream too (in theory, you could bike all the way to NYC; it just might take a couple of weeks). There's also a trivia circuit that goes around to different bars around Rochester, which is a ton of fun, particularly when it's at the Daily Refresher, which has a nice cozy atmosphere, especially in the winter.