Is it going to be easier for me to get into Harvard, because I'm really into astronomy and astrophysics?
I'm just wondering if it is going to be slightly easier for me to be accepted in Harvard. Because not a lot of people (at least not as much as people who tend to get into different departments) like or let's say choose astronomy for their college life.But I don't know. And also what qualifications do I need to get into Harvard astronomy??(Or maybe Oxford. You choose) I'm 14 and just graduted from middle school. Also, I'm an international student( From: Turkey)
Higher Education (University +) - 2 Answers
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1 :
Harvard is a top school for astronomy, especially since it includes the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, one of the top astronomy research institutions in the world. Don't expect by putting astronomy or physics down as a major it will be any easier to get accepted. Also, there really aren't any jobs in astronomy if you don't have a PhD, and if you want to go to grad school in astronomy, you should be majoring in physics, not astronomy - astronomy, math, and computer science courses are useful/necessary as well, but physics is essential for getting into grad school in astronomy. Harvard only accepts about 7% of applicants, and fewer foreign applicants. You need very high grades and test scores just to have a chance of getting in, and then you need to find some way to stand out. Having some experience in astronomy - either as an amateur or in research - could help a lot.
2 :
Eri is right on, as usual. I just want to add my two cents with regard to the impact of your prospective major on your admissions chances. To put it simply, it's just not very important. A sizable majority of students enter college not knowing what they want to study, or else wind up changing their plans at least once. Beyond that, undergraduate colleges, unlike PhD programs, aren't usually trying to fill spots in certain niche fields. The traditional criteria will still be the overwhelming factors that determine your admissions. That said, I can think of some scenarios where your interest in astrophysics has some superficial impact on your application. First of all, it's a relatively uncommon academic interest, so any substantial experience you can produce in your applications may make you stand out a bit. Second, the fact that you're able to connect your interests and long-term career goals specifically to the reputation of one of Harvard's departments and/or faculty can help to strengthen your argument for why you want to attend the university. "Why Harvard" essays can become boring pretty fast. Doing some homework and actually connecting to the university in a real way can only help your chances.
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