Wanted: Grad School Advice

[JackSpadesSI]

I've got a B.S. in chemical engineer, but I'm looking for a career change. I'd like to go into astronomy/astrophysics and get a Ph.D.

I'd appreciate any/all constructive advice regarding the process of grad school application, obtaining letters of recommendation after so long, etc.

Thanks, in advance!

 

[SsupernovaE]

Umm, I'm pretty sure you're going to need a B.S. in Physics or Astronomy first.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

A long time ago, I too considered grad school as a follow up to a chemistry oriented BS. A very wise man told me that in the chemical field, one should not get a PhD unless one knows precisely what one wishes to do for the rest of their life. Why? Because in the process of getting the PhD, you will learn a tremendous amount about 1 small topic (your thesis project), and not a whole lot about anything else. As a result, most employers that look at you will think that you are keenly interested in the field your thesis was in, and nothing else. Since I didn't know what I wanted to do, I elected to forego grad school (at least in the sciences) and (thus far) have been glad that I did.

So, two questions:

1. Why do you want to be an astronomer/astrophysicist?
2. Is there a particular area of the field that you want to study for the rest of your life?

 

[shortylickens]

Cant help you.
Its taking me 3 years just to get an associates.

Good luck with your career shift. My understanding is that changing majors at your level is a serious setback. At the very least plan on taking a buttload of courses again.

 

[silverpig]

The first course in any astro/physics grad school is grad-level quantum mechanics. You really should have done undergrad quantum mechanics first.

Your math is probably fine, but you probably will want to do some classes first. You could probably get them all done in one year.

Also, like a poster above said: Why do you want to get an astrophysics Ph.D?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Do you feel that there is a market for the degree such that it will sustain you and allow you to recoup the cost of education?

Market being the real world, not the restricted academic world.

 

[shortylickens]

Do you feel that there is a market for the degree such that it will sustain you and allow you to recoup the cost of education?

Market being the real world, not the restricted academic world.

I try not to crap on guys going for higher education. But yeah, too many college kids think that life in the class is the same as real life.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Advice.

If you want to excel in Grade School, learn how to spell Grade! It is grade, not grad!

 

[polarmystery]

I'm currently in grad school. My letters of recommendation came from my employer, as they are the ones paying for me to pursue my Masters. It has been a relatively painless experience, but you will have to budget your time a lot more than as an undergrad.

The class sizes are smaller, but as previously mentioned, the topics are much more focused (My masters will officially be called a Masters in Electrical & Computer Engineering with a focus on the computer engineering side). Johns Hopkins is just weird in how they name their degree plans

 

[Imp]

Are you prepared to spend 3 to 5 years on a degree and get paid very little?

I'm about to finish my masters in a few months. It was only 10 courses, and has taken me a year and a half part-time. I am effing tired.

I'm thinking about doing a PhD since my grades are stupidly good, and I've kissed enough asses to probably get 1 or 2 professors to "sponsor" me. But to get a PhD, I'd need to do another 8 courses with one major and 1 or 2 minors. Minimum time is 3 years, thesis would be 100+ pages long, I'd be paid about $25k/year unless I get awards and extra scholarships.

I have no interest in teaching, so the PhD would be purely for studying something I'm interested in, and possibly coming out to start my own business in that niche area. Oh, and for bragging rights...

 

[chusteczka]

Typically, there is an M.S. degree intermediate the B.S. and the PhD. I would first pursue the M.S. to determine my level of interest and aptitude in the new field.

Do you feel that there is a market for the degree such that it will sustain you and allow you to recoup the cost of education?

Market being the real world, not the restricted academic world.

Some people look at the accumulation of knowledge and earned education as the primary reason for earning the degree. Education is not always about economic return.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Two points, written as a guy finishing up a PhD in photonics :

1) Be sure of your level of commitment. It WILL be tested. There's a saying that you're awarded a PhD for finishing your project _despite_ all the hurdles your supervisor(s) and department throw at you.

2) Become familiar with PhDComics. You'll laugh now, and you'll laugh nervously in quiet desperation once you're in