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Need help deciding on a PhD astrophysics program

Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 5:41 pm
by harrisa
I've narrowed down the list of programs I got accepted to and am trying to decide on which grads school I should attend. It's between a physics PhD at Purdue University or an astronomy PhD at Georgia State University. I visited both of them and like to community and surroundings of GSU, but like the research at Purdue. Does anybody have any input or pros and cons for either of these schools?

Re: Need help deciding on a PhD astrophysics program

Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 6:12 pm
by Ptolemy
harrisa wrote:I'm trying to decide on grads schools, a physics PhD at Purdue University or an astronomy PhD at Georgia State University. I visited both of them and like to community and surroundings of GSU, but like the research at Purdue. Does anybody have any input or pros and cons for either of these schools?
From what I have heard (which I don't think is enough to rely on) Purdue is clearly better, especially when it comes to Astronomy. Additionally, its a Physics program which can give you much more flexibility.

Re: Need help deciding on a PhD astrophysics program

Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 7:47 pm
by harrisa
Thanks for your input! I am trying to base my decision off of lifestyle, academics, and community to get a well rounded sense of what being a grad student there would be like. So thanks for showing me that angle.

Re: Need help deciding on a PhD astrophysics program

Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 10:45 pm
by ckitc
I have first hand experience at GSU and can comment at length on the astro program there (you're going to find very few people who can, it's actually a very good program but still relatively low profile because most of the rest of the university...well, isn't). Feel free to PM me with more specifics about your background and interests, and any specific questions.