I want to pursue astrophysics. What steps should I take in high school to prepare and stand out?
I’m a 10th grader at a public high school in New Mexico, and I want to pursue astrophysics long‑term. Opportunities in my state are limited, so I’m trying to figure out what the next steps should look like in high school to prepare well and stand out on future applications.
For context, here are a few things I’ve done so far:
Lead researcher for the New Mexico Governor STEM Challenge
Competitor in the International Astronomy & Astrophysics Competition
Top 3 in the state for Chemistry Olympiad
Conducted independent science research with mentorship
Collaborated with a NASA scientist on an AI/ML project
Leadership roles: District Secretary + Student Senate VP
Given this background, what should I focus on next — research, competitions, summer programs, or independent projects — to build a strong path toward astrophysics?
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1 answer
First of all, all of those are amazing! If you're aiming for the Ivies, try to find more independent research/projects to do. If you can find more groups/competitions to join, i would definitely recommend that. If you're aiming for a less prestigious (in-state or just lower in ranking) school, doing those independent projects will basically get you almost completely in the door. Summer programs would also be great if you can.
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