Type of high school (or current college for transfers): public
Other special factors:
Cost Constraints / Budget (High school students: please get a budget from your parents and use the Net Price Calculators on the web sites of colleges of interest.)
Intended Major(s)
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
Unweighted HS GPA: 4 0
Weighted HS GPA: 4.2
Class Rank: not sure/not ranked yet
ACT/SAT Scores: 36 ACT
List your HS coursework
(Indicate advanced level, such as AP, IB, AICE, A-level, or college, courses as well as specifics in each subject)
English: will have AP Lang next year
Math: AP Stats, AP Calc
Science: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, Biology in the Environment, AP Chem, AP Physics, DE Astronomy at local CC
History and social studies: typical stuff except Sophomore year took Western Civ 1 and 2 via CC
Language other than English: Spanish, 4 years
Visual or performing arts: Band (section leader x2 years), jazz band (trumpet 1), choir, show choir (top ensembles), theater
Awards: Silver Cord, Girl Scout Gold Award, All State Orchestra (trumpet)
Extracurriculars Odyssey of the Mind (4th through 9th grade)
Volunteers at an Observatory
Astronomy Camp (U of Arizona)
Drake University Voice Intensive (Vocal camp)x 3 years
Working as a camp councilor at Girl Scout Camp this summer
Essays/LORs/Other (Optionally, guess how strong these are and include any other relevant information or circumstances.)
Schools
If a scholarship is necessary for affordability, indicate that you are aiming for a scholarship and use the scholarship chance to estimate it into the appropriate group below; also, for colleges that admit by major or division, consider that in chance estimate.
Assured (100% chance of admission and affordability):
Based on your interest in astronomy, 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. With respect to physics, note that five of these schools have produced Apker recipients.
Some schools are close to $100K a year but they also may provide financial aid.
Don’t forget, most schools have an Arts & Science college - so if you want an LAC but maybe bigger or cheaper, a larger school can be a suitable alternative, especially if needed to achieve budget.
For example, a smaller public with an outstanding astronomy program and great prices - would be Montana State or for larger - CU or Arizona. The point is they have Arts & Sciences schools.
But if you want an SLAC and money is no concern, then in addition to those Merc81 listed, I’d add Swarthmore. if female Smith and Bryn Mawr, and Whitman (co ed).
Here’s an entire list - you can pull out the LACs, starting with Agnes Scott (all female), Allegheney, College of Charleston (larger, public LAC), F&M, Goucher, Grinnell, Union, and more.
But you always start with budget - what will your parents spend.
I attached the Amherst net price calculator - they can fill it out and see what type of aid you might get.
I did a math degree and was headhunted to work as a programmer for the police. A person I met when I moved cities to start the job was actually the head of the local astronomy society, and really keen on Astronomy.
One day, he took me to visit an observatory to use a telescope that members of the society were allowed to use. They had several postdocs and PhD students using the main telescope at the time. We started chatting, and my friend asked about doing a PhD in Astrophysics. They asked what our undergrad degree was - we both said math, but I admitted I did nothing but math (which included a significant amount of Computer Science as part of an applied math degree), my friend did some first-year physics as well. To both our surprise, a number of PhD students had math degrees. We were both welcome to apply to a PhD program should we wish. Not my thing, so I politely declined, but my friend was very excited and enrolled part-time. I lost contact with him after he got married, but I know he did finish his PhD. He became a computer contractor, and his card has “Dr.” before his name; everyone assumed it was in a computing-related field, but it was Astrophysics. I personally did a Master’s in, of all things, the Foundations of Quantum Physics when I retired, even though the only actual physics I did undergrad was a course in Mathematical Physics, simply out of interest; like I did one in Mathematical Economics for the same reason.
I mention this to show that what you major in as an undergraduate is not greatly important for this degree. I had a look at ASU to confirm it, and their PhD in Astrophysics doesn’t require a degree in any particular major. That may be valuable in making your choice.
Budget- would prefer to keep it under 40k, but there’s a little wiggle room on that. NPCs at most of the colleges we have looked at are around that or a little bit above.
Ideally would be within a few hours of central Iowa, but willing to go farther for the right opportunities.
Important factors-
Study abroad, access to research for undergraduates, decent music programs, diversity. Do not want a heavy religious component, but it’s ok of there’s some.
Biggest concern is making the connections and getting the experiences need to get into grad school.
You will have research at most places but for astronomy, some more than other. Study abroad can be done most anywhere and if your school can’t, you can attend another school’s program. My daughter’s school kept cancelling her program so we tried through Case Western and their cancelled and we ended up via U Nebraska. If you do a semester program, you’d be fine. Grinnell is diverse, etc.
I’m thinking Grinnell as a reasonable school but can’t say safe. They have the Grant O Gale Observatory. How’s the NPC look?
Drake is not classified as an LAC but it’s small - so it’s a safety that will work. It’s got some level of diversity.
Those two alone could work as a 1-2 punch if the NPC works.
But others are Carthage (Lutheran) and Macalester, which is like Grinnell, but in the city.
A wildcard would be Truman State - which would achieve budget at full cost and you’d get merit aid. It’s Missouri’s public liberal arts college, has a great reputation and has an observatory.
I don’t think grad school is an issue from anywhere.
But in theory you could do a Grinnell and Truman State - and you’d have one assured to hit cost and be done. But the others could also work.
I looked at schools like St. Olaf and Lawrence - but the astronomy part seemed to lack.
While this may be technically true, ASU’s graduate program in astrophysics requires a strong foundation in physics and mathematics, equivalent to that of an undergraduate major in one or both of these fields.
As an opinion based on your apparent interests, @KrmK, major in physics, minor in astronomy and study sufficient mathematics. A major in astronomy/astrophysics, by itself, would be unlikely to offer you sufficient breadth and depth, however, and would not be preferred.
Be sure to investigate the available upper level physics and astronomy courses, because physics can be a very small major at some smaller colleges. Being in a cohort of fewer than 10 may make it easier to get a lot of personal attention from faculty, but a very small physics department may not offer each upper level course that frequently (if at all).
By grad school, are you talking about a Masters or PhD?
Per College Transitions, top PhD feeders for Physics that could work for you:
Carleton - which doesn’t list an Astronomy major but includes it in its undergrad.
Grinnell - which seems that it has everything you have - if you can get in and afford it. I’m guessing with a 36 you’ll get in.
But this needn’t be an only qualifier. I do think with Grinnell and Truman State - that’s a great 1-2 if you wanted to apply to less - because Truman gives you the assured you need. But if you want more, certainly Mac is worthy as is Drake.
If you were open to a bit of distance and different type schools - Case Western might fit. Also, Rose Hulman is a STEM school and has an observatory.
Bryn Mawr and Haverford have a very close co-enrollment policy; Haverford has an astronomy and astrophysics department while Bryn Mawr has a PhD in physics and thus offers PhD level physics courses.
Williams, Amherst, Harvey Mudd, Reed, and Swarthmore are academically elite schools that send plenty to PhD programs.
For SLACs near-ish Iowa, look at Grinnell, Carleton, St. Olaf, Macalester.
S24 is a physics major at Williams. Seems to tick all of the boxes (except for proximity to central Iowa). Generally only about 4-6 astrophysics majors a year but about 30 physics majors. NPC very generous, excellent music and theater program (and high level music a big bump, they are typically very short on brass players).
Grinnell is actually the top pick currently, but only if they keep the scholarship they currently have for Iowa students. Otherwise it will be too expensive.
It is in fact fortunate there are a lot of great LACs in Iowa or bordering states!
That said, I will make a pitch for at least taking a look at F&M. They have a full Astrophysics major, and lots of cool facilities and undergrad research opportunities:
Not sure about budget, however, although they do offer merit.
This is actually why physics is the top choice for major. After speaking with 2 astronomy professors, they both recommended majoring in physics and taking math and CS courses, not majoring in astronomy.
Based on this information, I’ve thought of some schools that you may want to research. They are sorted by my guesses as to your chances for admission. I also suspect you would receive merit aid from at least all of the schools that are Toss-Up and likelier.
Links go to the relevant program named. Two of the schools are part of the Colleges That Change Lives association (a group originally recognized by a NY Times editor that then formed a marketing group). The profiles linked are marketing material, but I think they tend to do a good job of providing a feel for the college.
Extremely Likely (80-100+%)
Carthage (WI): About 2700 undergrads. There’s an astrophysics concentration within the physics major but it also has the Space Sciences program where they work on developing experiments for NASA and commercial partners. There are a variety of opportunities for students interested in music here, though an audition is required for students interested in majoring or minoring in music.
Coe (IA): About 1200 undergrads and earned the 2021 Award for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education from the American Physical Society. As far as music goes, non-majors are encouraged to participate in music lessons and ensembles, too.
Gustavus Adolphus (MN): About 1900 undergrads. It is a pretty impressive producer of students who end up getting a doctorate in physics, which speaks well to the strength of their program. It also has a popular music program, for majors, but also more than a third of students study music through classes or ensembles.
Lawrence (WI): About 1400 undergrads. This is another school that’s a traditional heavy-hitter in terms of producing students who go on to earn doctorates in physics. And it also has an excellent music conservatory with numerous ensembles that provides options for major and nonmajors alike. https://ctcl.org/lawrence-university/
Likely (60-79%)
Illinois Wesleyan (IL): About 1600 undergrads. It has a popular physics major which offers a concentration in astrophysics and also has its own observatory. It also has a popular music program, though especially popular for musical theater, but also has numerous other ensembles.
St. Olaf (MN): About 3100 undergrads at this College Confidential favorite. It has a popular physics major, and a popular music program. Located in the same town as Carleton. Though cross-registration is technically possible, due to a difference in calendars, it is not always very practical. But there is definitely collaboration between the two schools. https://ctcl.org/st-olaf-college/
Toss-Up (40-59%)
Macalester (MN): About 2100 undergrads. Offers a astronomy emphasis within its physics major, has an observatory, and also opportunities to collaborate with the University of Minnesota due to their location in the Twin Cities. And there are many music opportunities as well.
Lower Probability (20-39%)
Carleton (MN): About 2100 undergrads. Its physics and astronomy department is popular and Carleton has its own observatory. And more than 800 students a year (roughly 38%) either perform in an ensemble and/or student a musical instrument here.
Low Probability (less than 20%)
Grinnell (IA): About 1800 undergrads…leaning towards a lower probability for you. It has its own observatory and a range of opportunities for students interested in astronomy. About 1/3 of the regular physics faculty are focused on astronomy.
If you’re interested in hearing about options further away from central Iowa, let me know.