Hello,
I am very interested in doing my graduate program in Space Propulsion. My number one choice would be at MIT. Their admission criteria can be found here http://aeroastro.mit.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/admission-criteria
They require a strong background in mathematics and physics.
I have been accepted into the University of Florida’s physics program as well as Embry-Riddle’s Engineering Physics program.
Embry-Riddle’s program is ABET accredited and has both engineering and high level physics courses, so it will give me a strong background in not only math and physics, but also engineering courses. However, I am not sure if MIT considers ERAU to be a good school, and I know UF is a top notch school, so I’m having a hard time deciding on which on to choose.
Embry Riddle is an [url="<a href=“http://theaitu.org%22%5DAITU%5B/url”>http://theaitu.org"]AITU[/url] as is MIT. There is no problem with recognition. If the ERAU program is more to your liking and if it is affordable, go for it.
I think Embry Riddle is a solid choice. UF probably is good too. A lot of space program in Florida. MIT is hard to get in though. I would go where it’s cheapest.
Avoid setting your sights on a graduate program prior to even starting your undergraduate work. You may find that by the time you graduate, that program doesn’t have the best research in your area of interest anyway.
I graduated from Embry-Riddle (Prescott campus) about seven years ago and can attest to the quality of their engineering department. It is excellent. Unfortunately, I don’t have much experience with their physics programs, but judging by the classes offered, it looks to be pretty solid. Overall, I was extremely happy with my experience there.
UF is also a good school, with broader name recognition, but the student experience there will be markedly different than at ERAU’s. Make sure you consider overall fit in your decision!
If you have any ERAU-specific questions, feel free to ask me!
Let’s put it this way, several friends I graduated with went on to prestigious graduate schools: Boston U, MIT, USC, U Michigan, and Stanford. ERAU has a good reputation, but ultimately, your grades/performance are what matter most.