Which Major Should I Choose for Astrophysics Professor Career?

[CrysPhys]

OP: If you want to keep your options as open as possible, you should major in religious studies. When you need to make a decision, you can seek divine guidance. The evolution of this thread indicates that human guidance isn't sufficient for you.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Oh, you're all just jealous because you didn't score "off the charts" on some on-line test of "fluid reasoning". Probably too buys with, I dunno, actual careers, in physics.

 

[Thai]

Not really. When I was in college, the math classes physics majors and math majors had to take the first two years were very similar: calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra. Physics majors would have also taken introductory physics while most math majors would not. Near the end of the sophomore year, if a physics major decided to change to math, he or she would have already satisfied the pre-requisites for upper-division math courses and could take them on schedule the following year. On the other hand, a math major, having avoided intro physics, would not be able to enroll in many upper-division physics courses. They would have had to go back and take the three semesters of intro physics.

OP: If you want to keep your options as open as possible, you should major in religious studies. When you need to make a decision, you can seek divine guidance. The evolution of this thread indicates that human guidance isn't sufficient for you.

Thanks. I'm not seeking guidance. I'm seeking food for thought.

 

[PhDeezNutz]

OP it seems like you want the perfect answer ahead of time to account for all the things that could happen. None of us (including yourself) can tell the future perfectly and how our interests may change.

It seems like you want a perfect roadmap to account for all contingencies. Such a thing has never existed for ANY human being EVER.

Dabble in both fields and then decide.

I’m not trying to condescend but if you wait for the perfect plan life will pass you by.

 

[Thai]

Oh, you're all just jealous because you didn't score "off the charts" on some on-line test of "fluid reasoning". Probably too buys with, I dunno, actual careers, in physics.

Two years ago, my school district gave me a full psychoeducational assessment. I was found to be strong in all areas, highly creative, and outside the curve on fluid reasoning for 9th graders. I am now in 11th grade and starting higher education next fall.

 

[Thai]

OP it seems like you want the perfect answer ahead of time to account for all the things that could happen. None of us (including yourself) can tell the future perfectly and how our interests may change.

It seems like you want a perfect roadmap to account for all contingencies. Such a thing has never existed for ANY human being EVER.

Dabble in both fields and then decide.

I’m not trying to condescend but if you wait for the perfect plan life will pass you by.

I know there is no turning back. I'm just trying to reduce obstacles.

 

[Thai]

Thank you everybody. I've decided to not declare a major and play around a little longer.

 

[symbolipoint]

Two years ago, my school district gave me a full psychoeducational assessment. I was found to be strong in all areas, highly creative, and outside the curve on fluid reasoning for 9th graders. I am now in 11th grade and starting higher education next fall.

Aside from psychological, personality, temperaments, and "psychoeducational assessments", you are the person who should (hopefully) best understand yourself, the real you. What are your interests? What are you skills? At grade 11, you have some time for deciding. Meanwhile, you believe (and are likely correct) that you are interested in Astrophysics.

Other courses you study may also influence your decisions in the future. To continue right now, your sooner direction could well be, enter admittance to university and choose some physical science (Physics?) for your major field.

 

[CrysPhys]

What are your interests?

This is key. After 58 posts, we still have no inkling of why the OP wants to become an astrophysics professor. Typically in threads of this nature, the OP would have posted something along the lines of:

(1) My dad bought me a telescope for my birthday. I looked to the heavens and was filled with awe. I want to become an astrophysicist.

(2) I went to the science museum on a school field trip. The highlight of my day was the planetarium. I looked to the heavens and was filled with awe. I want to become an astrophysicist.

(3) (In days gone by) I saw Carl Sagan on TV. He's a real cool guy. I want to become an astrophysicist just like him.

(4) (In present days) I saw Neil deGrasse Tyson on TV. He's a real cool guy. I want to become an astrophysicist just like him.

...

Then we could have had a realistic discussion of all the preparation and hard work it takes to become an astrophysicist.

But from the OP we've gotten zilch about what inspires him. All we've gotten is how imaginative and creative he is; and, most importantly, how off the chart his fluid reasoning score is.

So, OP, let's assume that you are imaginative, creative, and gifted with off-the-chart fluid reasoning. What are you going to do with those innate talents? What have you actually done to explore what does and what does not ignite your passion?

 

[MidgetDwarf]

Two years ago, my school district gave me a full psychoeducational assessment. I was found to be strong in all areas, highly creative, and outside the curve on fluid reasoning for 9th graders. I am now in 11th grade and starting higher education next fall.

Which means nothing in the grand scheme of things, if you cannot interpret the simple responses in this thread.

 

[berkeman]

Two years ago, my school district gave me a full psychoeducational assessment. I was found to be strong in all areas, highly creative, and outside the curve on fluid reasoning for 9th graders. I am now in 11th grade and starting higher education next fall.

Thread is paused for a bit. I will try to rescuscitate it with IV fluids, but no promises right now...

Thank you everybody. I've decided to not declare a major and play around a little longer.

Update -- it sounds like you have plenty of time to decide which course to pursue. Keep talking to your local school counselors and advisors, since they will know you the best. Best of luck; the thread will remain closed. Thank you everybody for the good quality advice to the OP.