A Comprehensive Guide to Graduate School Applications in Astronomy and Physics
This guide by Dr. Dara J. Norman, Ph.D., offers a detailed roadmap for prospective graduate students in astronomy and physics. It covers essential topics such as choosing the right school, the application process, post-acceptance steps, and alternative funding opportunities. Key considerations include research scope, faculty interactions, funding sources, and essential application requirements like GRE scores and recommendation letters. Emphasizing the importance of visiting schools and engaging with current students, this resource helps candidates navigate their journey toward a successful graduate education.
A Comprehensive Guide to Graduate School Applications in Astronomy and Physics
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Presentation Transcript
Graduate School: Piled high Deep Dr. Dara J. Norman , Ph.D.
Outline • Choosing Schools • Applying • After Acceptance • Other: Outside Funding • Concluding comments
Choosing Schools is it? is/was there? is the scope of research done there? do current grads think of the school? is the funding situation? • Where • Who • What • What • What • Astronomy versus Physics and Astronomy • National Rankings • Mistake to overlook good small departments!!
Rank Sites • USNews Rankings for 2001 • www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/beyond/bcrank.htm • The 2000 National Doctoral Survey • http//server-mac.pas.rochester.edu/yigal/DeptNews/Gradrankings/gradrank.html
Applying • Internet Instructions • Detail Devils • Empieza Early
Applying • Many websites are very good! • But check both Department and Grad School pages • See checklists • Watch deadlines • Check where to send things • Numbers of copies
General Requirements • Applications to the Department • Applications to the Grad School • Fees • Official Transcripts • GRE scores – General and Physics • Recommendation Letters (who?) • Statements of Goals and Achievements • Other Stuff
After Acceptance • Ask (lots of) questions • Visit , Visit, VISIT!! • Talk to (several) current grad students • Oh, And Visit.
Some Good Questions • Are students treated like colleagues by faculty? • What is the quality of teaching for grad classes? • What are requirements/qualifiers like? • What is the teaching load? (required?) • How are funding sources? • How easy to work with professors you want? • What is the state of the facilities? (telescopes, computers, offices, tape drives, etc.) • How is student access to facilities?
More Good Questions • Is the pay really enough to live on? • Is it possible to take classes outside the dept? • Are there sources of advisors outside the dept & how easy is it to work with them (realistically)?
Other: Outside Funding • Grad fellowships & dissertation fellowships • Small money fellowships • Secrets of the Graduate School • Internships
Funding Sources • NSF • NASA • NRC • Professional Groups • Ex. AAS, AAUW • Private Organizations • Ex. www.Herzfndn.org , Smithsonian See www.fis.ncsu.edu/grad_fellows/
Are you sure you want to go to graduate school? X • Time • Money • Prestige Working in the field first may be one good way to be sure.
Lists of Jobs • AAS job register – www.aas.org • Physics and astronomy magazines • Professors and other advisors
