Ranked the top aeronautical engineering program from which students can earn a Ph.D. if they so choose, the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AeroAstro) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) accepts undergraduates only when they have reached sophomore status. They learn basic engineering science through the Unified Engineering I-IV sequence and can pursue one of two bachelor's degrees: Aerospace Engineering and Aerospace Engineering with Information Technology. AeroAstro juniors, students take the two-semester "Dynamics and Principles of Automatic Control" classes. Seniors complete a capstone project that demonstrates what they have learned about either aircraft or space vehicle design. MIT's Office of Admissions judges each application individually, with particular attention to teacher evaluations and short essays. While not required, most applicants schedule an interview to present their academic potential. As of 2009, 89 percent of those admitted graduated in the top 5 percent of their high school class.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
77 Massachusetts Avenue, 33-207
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-258-0743
web.mit.edu/aeroastro
Top-ranked among institutions that do not grant Ph.D.s, the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) offers both a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering and a five-year combined Bachelor and Master of Aerospace Engineering program. At either the Daytona Beach, Florida or Prescott, Arizona campus, ERAU students can pursue their aeronautical engineering degree with an Aeronautics, Astronautics, or Aerospace Propulsion option. All students must maintain a minimum 2.25 cumulative GPA and earn a C or better in core mathematics, science and engineering courses. Students can take advantage of ERAU's active Career Services Office, including its annual career fair. ERAU admits students on a rolling basis and judges each application on its own merits. Applicants should have three years of science and math courses that include trigonometry and physics.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
386-226-6000
erau.edu
Ranked the number two program from which students can earn an aeronautical engineering PhD, the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), offers a combined Bachelor and Master of Science Honors Program to undergraduates who maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 that enables students to complete the Masters nine to 12 months after finishing the Bachelor degree. Students must apply to the program before they complete 80 credit hours and will be given preference in assigning undergraduate research fellowships, though there is no guarantee for financial support. Georgia Tech's Office of Undergraduate Admission considers four primary components of each application: high school grade-point average (GPA) and the rigor of the curriculum, SAT or ACT scores, the applicant's leadership and extracurricular activity, and the personal essay. As of 2009, competitive applicants had SAT scores between 1920 and 2160, ACT scores between 29 and 33, and high school GPAs between 3.67 and 4.04.
Georgia Tech School of Aerospace Engineering
Montgomery Knight Building
270 Ferst Drive, NW
Atlanta, GA 30332
404-894-3000
ae.gatech.edu