<p>Hey guys! I will be finishing my undergrad physics degree at NYU in two years, and my career goal is to become an astronautical engineer. Additionally, I am currently involved in spintronics research at the university (i.e. condensed matter physics), and believe my research experience will feature strongly on my application. However, I am concerned this research is not the most relevant to astronautics. I am also a computer science minor.</p>
<p>I would like to ask the following:</p>
<p>-Should I take any engineering classes to prepare, and/or show on my grad application?
-Would switching to a more relevant area of research in the university help my application? How much emphasis is put on (relevant) research experience?
-How jarring is the transition from a physics education to an astronautical engineering education?</p>
<p>Thanks for your time, CC! </p>
<p>Usually your research field as an undergraduate is not particularly important. It is more important to have a strong research experience. As for getting into a graduate program, are you talking about a Ph.D.? If so, then you can improve your background by taking a few relevant engineering courses as electives. The ones you want to take are those which are prerequisites for the engineering programs you are interested in. Making the transition from physics to engineering is not terribly difficult from the perspective of having a rigorous undergraduate background. The issue is any prerequisites and passing the qualifying examination for the Ph.D. program.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply! Not interested in a Ph.D., just an M.S. or M.Eng. Now when you say “strong research experience”, would it help me more to try my hand at different research areas, or really focus on one, like my current one? Actually I think I know the answer to that question already… stay with an area. That way I can build rapport with the professor leading the research, and really get more in-depth with research anyway.</p>
<p>Yes, stick with it if you like it. You will get an excellent, personalized letter of reference and that is worth a lot.</p>