For a kid that is very very interested in Astronomy and maintains a good GPA, what are the colleges to look into?
More information needed:
Start with budget, then beyond majors…what geography/size/setting is preferred? Also need unweighted GPA, class rank/sense of rigor, senior classes/especially math.
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Demographics - South Asian male, first generation
Budget - Full Pay/No cost constraints
High School GPA - 3.9 (unweighted)
Coursework - AP Computer science, Pre-calc & AP Chem (as Junior) AP Physics, AP Calculus & AP Stats as Senior
Extracurricular - Athlete in the T & F team
Many schools will offer.
Which part of the country do you want? What weather? Size? Type of school - so much more.
You can simply run a “list” of top schools, etc.
Are you a US citizen? If so, what’s your home state?
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To confirm you’re using this term correctly in the context of college admissions: you and your spouse never went to college anywhere in the world?
didnt go to college in the US. that doesnt mean first gen here?
No. AFAIK, with the exception of (I believe the UCs and maybe a couple of other schools), if either parent has a college degree from anywhere then the kid is not a first-gen applicant.
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Here’s a complete list of schools offering astronomy and astrophysics from the American Astronomical Society. As you can see, there are hundreds. So without knowing your other preferences it’s hard to narrow down.
What’s your home state? Start there.
https://aas.org/learn/college-departments-offering-astronomy-related-degrees
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Typically, you want a college with a good physics major (at some colleges, the physics department is too small to offer the usual upper level physics courses frequently enough) and upper level astrophysics / astronomy electives or a department of such.
First generation to college generally means that neither parent has a bachelor’s degree from anywhere in the world.
There are some places that define it even more strictly, like neither parent has ever attended college.
University of Arizona (and it has numerous ties to DOZENS of NASA missions). Take a look at the LPL department in particular.
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Does your school offer Calc BC or Physics C….if so, will you take them next year? If your school offers it, for top schools, you’re going to need to take those classes to even have a shot. I know I’m at the lower end of mathematical abilities for astrophysics and I currently have an A in Multivariable Calculus. I don’t mean to scare you, but it’s a highly competitive field, esp within the Asian community.
If you are looking outside the realm of Ivies and Ivy+ I think you will be ok with just BC and physics 1. Having no cost constraint opens up a lot.
Schools are comparing your academic profile to those in your school. So if AB Calc is the highest class you can take, it won’t negatively affect you. Just make sure you’re taking the highest math class your school offers.
and at least as of now, big merit!!
For those on a budget,it’s a winner. UCSC, ASU, CU Boulder are other strong names in the major that might not rise to the stop of student lists - who are simply looking at overall school rankings.
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As a general consideration, physics tends to represent the more comprehensive and respected major for an undergraduate interested in astronomy/astrophysics. Choosing electives that would lead to an astronomy minor would balance this approach. If the student might be interested in planetary science, he would benefit from geosciences courses as well.
As an opinion on selecting schools, consider giving additional attention to colleges with relatively dark and natural night skies and accessible observatories, such as, to varying degrees, Williams, Haverford, Hamilton, Amherst, Wesleyan and Vassar.
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