Advising

Sections: Undergraduate Advising | Graduate Advising | Resources

For Undergraduate Students

Major Admission

Astronomy is a “capacity constrained” major. Entrance into the Astronomy major is by application, and admission is twice each year. View the Undergraduate Program page for astronomy major requirements. 

  • Major application deadlines are the third Friday of Autumn quarter and the third Friday of Spring quarter.  Transfer students can apply to directly transfer into the major at these times.  Students that transferred to the UW but missed the Direct Transfer Admission cycles can also apply the third Friday of Winter quarter.

FILL ASTRONOMY MAJOR APPLICATION FORM

Undergraduate Advising Team 

Academic Counselors (astroadvising@uw.edu) are available to help with academic course planning of Astronomy degree requirements, answer questions and concerns of undergraduates and graduates, incoming freshmen, and transfer students. They can also assist with registration holds, course add codes, application to major questions, submitting your graduation application, and with general resources.  

Brenna Mulvany from Physics Student Services is currently providing advising to Astronomy students. Her drop-in hours and appointment availability are listed on the Physics Department Advising page:  https://phys.washington.edu/advising-student-services. 

Professor Matt McQuinn (mcquinn@uw.edu) is the Undergraduate Faculty Advisor and can help you with issues that require faculty input or perspective. Please contact them with requests for course substitution of an Astronomy degree requirement, reviewing transfer credits or Study Abroad equivalency to UW Astronomy courses, how to get involved in Astronomy research, and advice on graduate school applications. 

Undergraduate Research 

Many professors, postdocs, and graduate students have projects that can support undergraduate research assistants. Reaching out to a potential advisor via email or stopping by their office is encouraged! In addition, the Astronomy Advising team has an informal list of projects that have available positions, so you may also like to schedule an appointment to discuss opportunities.

SCHEDULE AN UNDERGRAD ADVISING APPOINTMENT

For Graduate Students

The Graduate Program Advisor (GPA) is available to help with academic planning, adding Supervisory Committee for General Exam and Final Exam, and supporting graduate students with academic difficulties. The Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) is available to discuss degree requirements and milestone tracking, recommend Mentoring Committee members, and graduate funding. 

Current GPA Catherine Provost (Interim)
Current GPC Mario Juric
Contact astroadvising@uw.edu

Graduate Mentoring Program

The Astronomy department has designed a Graduate Mentoring Program to help students progress towards their PhD degree. Please consult the online graduate program handbook for the most detailed and up-to-date information on the Ph.D. program structure and requirements.

VIEW GRAD MENTORING PROGRAM HANDBOOK (PDF) 

Resources

For a comprehensive directory of resources for students, please visit the University of Washington Student Guide.

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