Can an Engineering Major apply for a Ph.D in Astrophysics?

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>Hi CC. I’m in a bit of predicament, though I will admit it is a very good problem to have and I’m not going to complain about it one way or another.</p>

<p>I’m a high school senior in eastern maryland. After searching for a bunch of US Schools (William & Mary, Emory, etc) I had ended up falling in love with planned to go to (was accepted to) University College Dublin to study Astrophysics for my entire 4 years of college. Unfortunately, neither me nor my mother understood the financial aid process and didn’t know that she would not be eligible for a Direct PLUS loan (she has $100+K in medical bills from her and my father) and a private loan would also deny her credit seeing as she is 60 and they assume she will no longer work in 5 years (which is false, with the debt she has I assume she’s working until she drops.) Recently I found out that there was absolutely no way for me to finance my education. Dublin went out to window, as did any school like it.</p>

<p>Luckily, though, back before christmas break I was brought down to the office because the admissions director from a state university in my town (University of Maryland Eastern Shore) had come to offer me full tuition + room and board for my entire four years. Me, being naive, I didn’t think much of it because I wanted to go to a big name school. I’ve wisened up in the past month and I now understand the value of freedom a full ride gives me. Luckily again, the offer hadn’t expired. I accepted it earlier today.</p>

<p>That said, a problem still exists: they do not have a physics major. The closest one they offer is Engineering with specialities in Electric, Mechanical, Computer, and Aerospace. Is it possible for someone to graduate with a B.S. In Engineering and still be a strong applicant for a Ph.D program in Astrophysics?</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

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<p>Your poor mom! I hope she’s getting good advise on how to manage that debt. :expressionless: </p>

<p>Sure, a BS in engineering can allow you to get into a Physics masters program, but it’s usually the other way around…Physics majors going for a masters in engineering. Make sure you take the Engineering track and not the Engineering Tech track. Also, take any “extra physics” courses, as electives, such as Modern Optics (PHYS 283), Modern Physics (PHYS423), Physics Seminar (PHYS 497) and then look into Independent Study (PHYS 498). Also, if you can do any Undergraduate Research (PHYS 499), that would be a huge PLUS.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks man, and yeah, I’ve talked to the Engineering department at UMES, it’s definitely full-on ENGE and not ENGE-TECH. They have some fantastic research and internship opportunities (we’re in walking distance of Northrop Grumman which I spent the entirity of last summer interning at, and we also are 30mins away from NASA in Wallops Virginia, the facility who launched the latest lunar project) which I’m planning to pursue.</p>

<p>Thanks so much man.</p>