Quote from Zid;608253:
Like Yoorah said, graduate school is best for a researching science field. And yes, there's work along with study, though I don't really know the specifics of it other than medical studies who are looking for Masters or Ph.Ds.
You'll still get scholarships and grants for graduate school if you can secure some. That might or might not ease your loan burden, depending on graduate school expenses (which are higher). You should definitely try to apply for a school and take the entry exam, to get that out of the way before you make your final decision if you want to enter or not.
And I'm jelly of your major. :c That's what I originally planned to do.
Quote from chaolin;610005:
One Word: Fellowship (basically a graduate/research scholarship)
Apply for fellowships, take the GRE, apply for grad schools. Graduate schools (legit ones anyways) are definitely NOT for everyone since you work 6 days in the week (at least for sciences). The first two years are basically you doing research to develop your thesis all while teacher's assisting undergraduate classes and taking your own graduate classes. Once you pass your qualifying exam, you no longer have to teach or take classes and you'll be entirely devoted to your research. However, if you do enter a PHD program, you'll likely be paid a living stipend which can also go towards paying for your undergraduate fees.
Basically:
Masters: Pay an arm and a leg
PHD: Potentially profit
With a PHD, you'll get more job offers and be more qualified as a lead researcher. However, I've heard from a HR guy at IBM that there is no pay difference between a masters and a PHD. So it's really up to you. Generally, PHDs are for people who really desire one and are willing to devote 6-8 years on average working for one.
Admissions criteria for graduate school are:
1) GPA
2) Research Experience
3) Letters of Recommendation
4) GRE and GRE subject test scores
5) Personal Statement
GPA is most heavily weighed but if on the low side (<3.0), it can be supplemented with high accolades in the other areas (eg 2 years of undergraduate research).
How would one search for these types of scholarships, grants or fellowships? Google? Perhaps ask some of the professors at my school's department as well? Makes me wish I would have had better instructions about this when I first entered college. I would've been prepared better. haha
And thanks, chaolin, for the numbered list! I feel like I work better (and more confidently) when there's a series of guidelines I should follow.
I definitely have to bring up my grades a bit higher, if I want to apply to a graduate school. A good one, at least. And I'm lacking a bit in the research department, so I should work on that as well.
One thing I have in mind though is that I'm not particularly sure about what field in astronomy I'd like to focus in. Is that something you should know when going for a graduate school? If I had to choose, I think I'd like to focus on studying exoplanets, but I'm not so sure if that's my passion.
And yeah, Zid, astronomy's pretty fun. The higher-end classes I've taken though have been so annoying, however. I took a course on galaxies last semester and it bored me to death.
Also, what kind of job can I get straight out of graduate school?
I like learning about the stars and all, but I do want to have some sort of constant income flowing after these next 2-3 years.