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What Should a Budding Astronomer Look for in a College?

-- | November 12, 2015

Question: Hello, I’m a senior in High School and have been planning on being an astronomer for years. I was curious as to what college may be best for an astronomy or physics degree? I have good grades but don’t want to go to a very difficult college. I’m planning on getting a PhD and would like to find a college that is easygoing but has good education.
Help would be appreciated, thank you! — Brittany

Answer: Your best course of action is to find a college that you both like and also has strong physics, math, and computer science programs. With strong programs in these areas you will improve your chances of getting a good education in the primary skills that you will need as a professional astronomer: physics, mathematics, and computer science.

Jeff Mangum

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The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
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