Of those with a BS that found employment in the Private sector, over half went into engineering or computer science. A significant portion when into “non-stem” fields (26%), and only 5% went into Physics or Astronomy.
When looking at schools, you may want to look into the possibility of dual/double majoring, minoring (in CS, for example), or talking a “concentration” in physics that would fit in well with engineering or CS. Any schools that accept a large number of AP/IB/DE credits, would make it easier to dual/double major.
Of course, any schools that give you a large range of options, will likely also prepare you for graduate school!
An Astro kid is going to have to go to grad school if they want to work in Astro. That is really true for most physics majors, astro and otherwise. I’m not sure what “industry” job related to the degree an undergrad in Physics with an Astro emphasis would find. So I guess it feels like there is a disconnect here. You say he’s been focused on Astro for sure. Yet… doesn’t want a career in it?
intparent: Understood…I don’t think he honestly knows at this point (he’s only 16)…so hoping to keep lots of options open of course in terms of what comes after college. He is focused on astro (within physics), and def wants a career in it (but not teaching/academia). Does that make sense? We’re learning too what the options are for kids interested in this subject (and how best to advise him) as we go through this process, so my apologies if we’re off track. Appreciate all of this advice!
Realistically, there are not a lot of pure science jobs (physics/astronomy included), and many of the ones that exist are research ones that hire those with PhDs. Unlike most biology majors, physics majors tend to have strong quantitative skills that make them more adaptable to some types of jobs in computing, engineering, and (quantitative) finance (probably also data science now).
No worries – I only happen to know something about this because one of my kids was a physics major, and is now in a PhD program (but she is in condensed matter, which has more industry applications). There are few careers in Astrophysics that aren’t teaching/academia related, and the academia jobs are hard to get. I think Astro and particle students have fewer options in industry.
I don’t want to derail your college search, but I do think he may need to give some consideration to what he expects to use the degree for long term, and making sure he build some marketable skills along the way so he has choices. CS & data analysis skills are examples.
Adding this: My message to my kids (and of course yours may not be the same) was that they could major in what they wanted to, but somehow they had to be self supporting within a few months of graduating from college. One of my kids got a “real job” after college, and the other one entered a funded PhD program. I think it helps some to put some onus on the kids that they have to have SOME idea what they are going to do to become self supporting adults, and be working toward that during their undergrad years.
Thank you everyone for these comments so far and for the additional links! We have a lot to research, and think about. And for the record, he hadn’t ruled out a MS/PhD at all - that’s just another decision down the road (but not too far I suspect). But I am thinking it makes sense to look at schools which will have the strongest Physics programs (with strong Astronomy options) that he can get into…or those that might offer double majors/concentration in other areas, just to broaden things out. Food for thought.
@wisteria100, why would you recommend Connecticut College? They have a very tiny Physics program with only ONE full professor who teaches astronomy. Folks need to stop recommending their favorite schools when they clearly are not even remotely fits for the expresses preferences of the OP.
Appreciate the research links everyone and definitely looking for specific recommendations (either you or your child is a student, you teach there, you went there, you know the programs well due to your own research etc) of strong physics(ideally w/astro) programs beyond the top elite. No offense, but we’re definitely not interested in a tiny astro program at a LAC.
Agree that it takes some digging to distinguish a decent school for physics from a decent school for Astrophysics.
OP, U of Washington grad students are doing pretty interesting work in astrophysics. I was at a talk given recently by a grad student who had been working on the LIGO gravitational wave project there. A lot of universities have hand a hand in LIGO, it might be worthwhile to check out that list and see which ones aren’t the very top tier ones.
But without knowing his stats for sure (you are vague on GPA, I think), he probably should apply to a couple of reaches, too. He doesn’t sound completely unqualified, it is just that those schools are so competitive.
For non-super-elite, but still excellent schools with strong physics/astro, consider:
University of Rochester
Boston University
Case Western Reserve University
Northeastern University
RPI
Lehigh University
Syracuse University
Rutgers University
Colgate University
Vassar College
Hamilton College
Union College
Thanks intparent. We had U Washington on our radar but given your additional comments, will look into that further. And we are def going to encourage him to try for a couple of the elites/reaches and we agree - such a crapshoot these days! I actually have to get his current weighted GPA …we’re honestly just getting started
@dogwood18, I would second @TheGreyKing’s recommendation of Williams. Williams’ has excellent physics and astronomy departments and a small but energized astrophysics major. Jay Pasachoff is legendary as an undergraduate educator in astronomy.
Its worth considering UK schools as well, because they aren’t so bothered about GPA and how well a physics student did in Spanish. Given your son is “laser focused” on a single subject, the UK system might be more attractive to him than many other American students and he’d be a strong candidate for relatively high ranking schools there if he has a bunch of 5s in his math and science APs (though its not clear to me if his “honors” classes were AP or not?). We found it particularly good for getting a quick acceptance (early November) that S18 could use as a safety school, allowing him to cut out a bunch of work (and costs) in his US applications.
