<p>I noticed some one posted that their daughter got her Ba and ms in four years with three other majors and a minor.
Is it possible for me to get a bs in astronomy and physics, and an ms in astrophysics in four years? Would I lose my social life(If I had one!)?
Ps I know the requirements from the web, I need a human opinion....</p>
<p>It looks like this question is directed specifically at me so here goes. I only have a single data point on this so exercise caution. D1 walked out of Penn State with the 3 specific degrees you’re looking for plus two more and an NSF graduate research fellowship. She is now in one of the top 5 graduate programs in astrophysics in the country. While her social life may not have been up to Penn State’s party school standards, she did attend football games, managed to have a boyfriend for at least a couple of those years, was president of the society of physics students and did considerable astronomy and physics education outreach in middle schools in Centre and other nearby counties. I mention the outreach work in particular because I believe that it was this giving back to the science education of young students that set her apart when applying for the NSF graduate research fellowship. Things were pretty intense her 4th year as she was wrapping up all the graduation requirements. You will have a much better idea whether you’ll excel (survive) in this combination of majors after you take Astro 291 and Astro 292.</p>
<p>Wow thnx for the reply. Trust me I can handle the course work, I am really good in astronomy but I am not as good in physics and bad in english. But I noticed that the department dosenot award masters to students. Do u think this applied to ur d? As a parent, what Would you recommend I do ASAP? (I will be a sinor this year)
I don’t even know why I asked about the social life… It dosenot matter to me…
Thank u 4 ur time</p>
<p>Creacher, you’re right the astro department does not take graduate students for a master’s degree. However if you are in the Schreyer honors college you can apply for the IUG (integrated undergraduate graduate) program and earn a master’s degree simultaneously. If you leave Penn State with a master’s degree in astrophysics you are either very good as an undergrad or not quite good enough as a PhD candidate. I would encourage you to apply to the honors program if this is the avenue you want to take. The honor’s college requires a separate application in addition to your application for Penn State. Here is a link [Schreyer</a> Honors College](<a href=“http://www.shc.psu.edu/]Schreyer”>http://www.shc.psu.edu/) for the honor’s college if you haven’t been there already. Application to the Schreyer honors college is very competitive about 2500 to 3000 applications for 300 freshmen slots. If you are going to apply, spend a lot of time on the 3 essays and don’t miss the priority application deadline. The priority application date for the SHC for Fall 2012 first-year admission is November 30, 2011. </p>
<p>Essay questions for the Fall 2012 application are listed below. The complete 2012 SHC application will be available on the Penn State Admissions Web site by Sept. 1, 2011.</p>
<hr>
<ol>
<li> Mr. and Mrs. Schreyer endowed the Honors College at Penn State with a gift of $30 million. If you had $30 million to give, what philanthropic effort would you support and why?</li>
<li> How should public officials balance competing claims when it comes to complex issues like our energy future?</li>
<li> What are you passionate about and why?</li>
</ol>
<p>I know you are busy, but may I trouble you and ask to review one of my essays (question #1) It is kind of rusty because I just finished it but it would be a great deal of help if you can tell me if i am on the right direction.</p>
<p>anyone else stuck on essay #2… because I can’t think of anything</p>
<p>^^^ I dont even know what it means :/</p>