Hello all, I'm an aspiring astronaut and I’m wondering which college has the most astronaut alumni. I thought it would help me narrow down my college list. Any insights?
Sure, that's an interesting criterion to consider! To date, most astronaut alumni hail from the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy, followed by MIT and Purdue University.
Purdue University, in particular, is often referred to as the "Cradle of Astronauts", with a total of 24 alumni having been selected as astronauts by NASA. Purdue graduates include Neil Armstrong (the first man to walk on the moon), Eugene Cernan (the last man to walk on the moon), and Gus Grissom (one of the original NASA Mercury Seven astronauts).
MIT is also notable, with over 44 astronaut alumni. MIT graduates include Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Timothy Creamer, who was an International Space Station crew member.
It's important to note that studying at these institutions doesn't guarantee you'll become an astronaut, but their strong engineering and science programs provide a solid foundation for entering the field. Plus, the schools mentioned above have built strong relationships with NASA, which can be beneficial for research opportunities and internships. It may also be significant to consider physical fitness as a significant requirement if you're considering an astronaut career.
I hope you find this information helpful for your college selection process!
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