<p>Hello, I am a freshie in high school and I am fascinated by Astrophysics. So I was wondering, which schools have great program for Astrophysics. So far, I've found that the University of Chicago, Princeton, and Cal-Berkley have great programs. What do you guys recommend?</p>
<p>I like UT Knoxville with observation out on Clingman’s dome and nuclear astrophysics facilities at Oak Ridge. </p>
<p>If you’re interested in a LAC, at Rhodes we’ve got two observation domes, one with a 14" Cassegrain telescope and an observation deck with a bunch of equipment available and a physics computer lab with gravitational simulation software and a partnership with NASA for some research. </p>
<p>Then again, we’re in the middle of the city so the light pollution sucks a little.</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins. They have the Space Telescope Institute, home of the Hubble telescope, and extensive connections to NASA through the Applied Physics Lab. Astrophysics professors there have won two Nobel prizes and a Shaw prize in the last ten years.</p>
<p>^totally agree! Check it out. [Physics</a> & Astronomy @ Johns Hopkins University](<a href=“http://physics-astronomy.jhu.edu/]Physics”>http://physics-astronomy.jhu.edu/)</p>
<p>Thanks so much guys! John Hopkins is now at the top of my list!</p>
<p>
I recommend staying well away from this website until halfway through your junior year. It is far too early for you to be picking out colleges. </p>
<p>In the meantime, take challenging courses and do well in them, find some extracurriculars you like, and take time to have fun.</p>
<p>Some less selective schools good in astrophysics:</p>
<p>Pennsylvania State University
The Ohio State University
University of Arizona
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Hawaii
University of Washington</p>
<p>But net cost after financial aid is important.</p>
<p>However, as a high school freshman, concentrate on doing well in the typical college prep course work (choosing the more rigorous options when available):</p>
<p>English: 4 years (AP desirable)
Math: minimum through precalculus; take calculus if available to you (AP calculus BC desirable)
Science: all three of biology, chemistry, and physics (especially physics, given your intended major; AP physics C desirable)
History and social studies: three or four years
Foreign language: at least level three; the more selective schools prefer to see level four or AP (and higher level or AP may help with college graduation requirements)
Art and/or Music: yes
Computer science: if available</p>