<p>Anyone know anything about these two schools?</p>
<p>Specifically, are they strong enough to get you into a good grad school for astrophysics.</p>
<p>New Mexico Tech has good stats of getting people into grad school. But they have there own grad school and I can't tell if most of the kids just go on to that grad school or what?</p>
<p>They are both very inexpensive and that is why they are attractive.</p>
<p>Socorro is small and remote. It is very beautiful with the Plains of San Augustin and the VLA not very far away. The stores in town don't stay open evenings and even close early on Saturday. Not a problem if you're a country mouse, but my city mouse son who spent two days there on a summer vacation decided that the hour or so drive to Albuquerque (which is even the closest Wal Mart) was too far. If you love outdoor life, there are lots of things to do in an hour radius of town. New Mexico Tech does house the research base for the NSF's Very Large Array Observatory. If it really interests you, it would be worth a trip to thoroughly check out the departments, academics and life style. Don't know a thing about Northern Arizona.</p>
<p>NAU is a great school because it is smaller and more intimate then most state schools so you get the personalized instruction, close knit community feeling, great research opportunities, small class sizes etc. Students seem genuinely happy there and the Flagstaff area is popular with students. It is cold for Arizona but lots of good skiing nearby.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input on these two schools. DD is still looking and considering. These schools are very affordable and both offer the astronomy and physics she is looking for.</p>