Observational Astronomy

  • This has become our largest and most active forum because the physics GRE is just one aspect of getting accepted into a graduate physics program.
  • There are applications, personal statements, letters of recommendation, visiting schools, anxiety of waiting for acceptances, deciding between schools, finding out where others are going, etc.

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orion
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 3:49 am

Observational Astronomy

Post by orion » Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:26 am

Hi,

I have done my B.E Computer Science from VNIT Nagpur. Have been working in the IT Industry for 3 yrs now.But now I wanna pursue MS + Phd in Astronomy specially Obseravtional.I would like to know what kinda GRE score would suffice for admisssions?? Is Physics Gre compulsory?? can I get scholarship from the university??
My avg engg percentile is 60 % . can someone pls help me out in this case...


Thanks...... :D

rjharris
Posts: 101
Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 6:48 pm

Post by rjharris » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:03 pm

usually, you will have to take the physics subject gre as well as the general.

newscience
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:48 am

Post by newscience » Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:43 am

I'm currently applying for observational astro PhD programs, and I can tell you what I've heard from professors, admitted grad students, etc. Schools look for different things in an applicant, but there are some general rules I think are usually true. Yes, you have to take the physics GRE, but your score doesn't need to be nearly as high as for physics programs. With a good GPA and good research experience, no red flags will go up if you score 50-60th percentile and above. Of course, that may not be true for the most competitive schools. I've heard that Caltech astronomy won't even look at your application if you get below a 70th percentile.

About funding, I'm not sure if whether what I know applies to international students. For American students, the standard for astro grad school is: tuition fully covered, and around a $30K stipend a year.



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