The Plan As of July 17, 2003.

My main interests are in Astronomy, Physics and Geology. So, whatever college I go to would be majoring in at least two of the three with a PhD in one of the two majors. Most likely it will be a Physics PhD since that is a more versitle field and I need to be flexiable. Im not sure what college I want to attend, but on the top of the list is the University of Arizona in Tucson.

But you think that's it? Hardly... It has only begain. Next idea. By studying Astronomy, Physics, and Geology in College im set up quite well for anything that has to do with space.

Now, the U of A is one way to do it. But there is a better way to do what I want to do. A way that is going to be not the slight bit easy. It's the Air Force. For the next two years of my High School life, I want to prepare and work towards getting a congressional appointment to The Air Force Academy. I have the Intelligence and motivation. The only thing I have to work on is physical fitness. I can do it one of two ways. Take college first somewhere else, or take it as im training to be a pilot. The Air Force Academy is the concurrent way to do it. And what Im probably going to do. They also have an astrophysics class that intrigues me at the Academy. Might be cool as well.

So this is what will happen. Ill graduate the Academy and be a pilot reading to fly fighter planes with a PhD in Physics, having studied astronomy, and Geology, and having the internship and experience to be titled a Planetary Geologist (im not sure wheather you can actually major in Planetary Geology... only get the interships and experience in the field after intial studys in related subjects).

Are we there yet? Nope. So not only will I be a Pilot, but Ill be a Planetary Geologist as well. And what does that get me? A exceptional chance of becoming a U.S. Astronaut. Better than some of the other competition who are just pilots, or just planetary Geologists. And with the hopes of what? With the hopes of becoming part of the team that first walks on Mars. I figure the first mission is only 20 years away, and im only 16. So ill be in my prime :).

And preparation for all this starts now. This next year Im taking advantage of Post-Secondary Enrollment Option at a local community college (didnt get accepted for it at Case Western Reserve). Ill be taking Astronomy classes and hopefully philosophy. Not to mention getting more active in clubs in stuff (I dont like clubs and stuff, colleges do). And finally, a summer intership at NASA. NASA Glenn Reasearch Center is here in cleveland after all.

And one more thing. Im starting a GIA distance learning program at the end of this summer. By the time I graduate High School Ill be a certified Gemologist with 5 years experience working at a Jewelry store.


How do you like them apples?
Dreams are simply not impossible.


Later,
T

Sounds like a good, solid, realistic plan. Go for it, at the rate you're going, even the stars aren't the limit. ;)

So you think it' s a good plan.

However you have neglected to study the history of those who have come before you.

Nearly 85% of those who enter the air force before having a bachelors degree never leave the air force.

Are you aware of the pecentage of people who get into a physics PhD program and stay in it in comparison to how many being the program, let alone get in to it?

Roughly 10%

Also - the percentage of people who attend a communicty college and go on to degrees higher than a bachelors is about 50%

So you'd need to beat three harsh odds.

Highly unlikely.


Furthermore - you're 16 and nearly no one does when they grow up what they want to do at 16.

Anecdotal evidence is meaningless so don't bother.

Not that you should execute your plan. Just understand no one would, in their right mind, agree this will occur.

Tristan - Now that I told you your wish is trash let me help you with some advice.

If it's a PhD you seek your best bet is to get it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

DO NOT take any other route than a B.S. in Physics and then get RIGHT into a PhD.

I guarentee you you will not completely this degree if you take another route.

This is coming from someone with massive knowledge on educational statistics in the past 3 years.

Also - having the dream of going to mars is fine when you're 16... however in reality you won't ever go to mars. First off NASA will only send one NOVELTY manned mission to mars, the rest will be completely robotic.

Secondly the mission will have no more than 5 people, and it's more likely you'll win the lottery WITHOUT buying a ticket than that you will go to mars.

You do know how long the trip to mars takes right?

So you think it' s a good plan.
Sure do.

However you have neglected to study the history of those who have come before you.
I respect History...

So you'd need to beat three harsh odds.
No problem. Statistics are things that really dont mean anything. Think about your local wheather forecast... 20% chance of rain. When ever I see that this is what pops into my head ?. It really means nothing. Think about it.

Highly unlikely.
The person who wins the lottery believes it and see's the statistics that you have a 1 in 1000000000 chance of winning. But when you win, again, this means nothing. Think about it.

Furthermore - you're 16 and nearly no one does when they grow up what they want to do at 16.
I am by no means, shape, form, statistic, or stereotype, your typical "teenager". I know what I want to do. I always have.

Not that you should execute your plan. Just understand no one would, in their right mind, agree this will occur.
Quite simply, I dont care if anyone agrees this will occur, because I know it will.

Now that I told you your wish is trash let me help you with some advice.
Its not a wish, and you didnt trash it. You gave me meaningless statistics to prove how many people DIDNT do what they wanted to do.

Also - having the dream of going to mars is fine when you're 16... however in reality you won't ever go to mars. First off NASA will only send one NOVELTY manned mission to mars, the rest will be completely robotic.
I have to disagree with that. Robots are great... Men and Women willing to risk their lives are 10x better. We won't go to Mars without a global consortium of nations all contributing. And by then we will all realize that Humans are much better than Robots at exploring and possibly begaining colonization of another planet.

Secondly the mission will have no more than 5 people, and it's more likely you'll win the lottery WITHOUT buying a ticket than that you will go to mars. Again, doubtful.

You do know how long the trip to mars takes right? With developing technology and Mars at oppostion, rougly 6 months. That is why NASA is building their own little Mars habitat for training and R&D. And There is already a team in Greenland I believe, living with space suits and testing out technology for a mission to Mars. It might have been somewhere else... I can't remember off hand. Oh and The ESA just sent a rover to Mars.... And we are sending 2 Rovers to Mars. If im not mistaken, one is on the way now and another is to be launched soon.


Its like this LogicalAtheist: Do you know what the chances are of elements neccary for life to come together in a primordial ooze and then form peptides, and amino acids, and proteins, etc? Then to form little biological factorys, then come together into what we know as cells.... Then form the rest of life including yourself? And yet, here we are. I repspect your knowledge about statistics and yet at the same time, I place absolutely no value whatsoever on its validity.

Later,
T:cool:

Tristan - You've manage to pish every bit of logic aside and twist it all around to fit your emotional needs.

You're the typical human being.

Hahahahahahahahaha... Logic is what I do. My entire family thinks im argumentitive and analytical.

Statistics are not logic. This previous statement is related to the saying, "The person is smart, People are dumb". Statistics dont mean shit because they pull from the general population. And the general population are a bunch of bafoons.

And I didnt twist anything around. You want some of your own medicane? Well your birthday says 1980 so you're 23. Ok. Lets see here... You drink... Party...Drink.... talk about girls and generally try to get in bed with them.... can't hold a good job.... dress with abercrombie and finch.... drink....Ahhh yes, and have lots of debt because of student loans. There is typical 23 year old stereotype.

Think before you speak. I didnt twist anything around. I replyed equally to each of your statements. "Dont dish it, If you can't take it" as the saying goes.

You just don't get it, do you?

Later
T

(Oh and think about how you reply to people. You seem to carry a very negative tone in your writing (and probably speaking).

Hmmm, it's just funny.

You're the classic "I'm not the average 16 year old" 16 year old.

Thinks he's smarter than the rest, ahead of his time etc....

...it's a paradox that it takes the smarts to realize the smarts aren't there and it's nothing special - yet if it's nothing special then the smarts can't be there to realize they're not there.

Tragic.

You're the classic "I'm not the average 16 year old" 16 year old.
Hahahahahahahahahaha. Keep on trying LogicalAtheist.

Thinks he's smarter than the rest, ahead of his time etc....
It would be much appreciated if you point out with direct quotes where I said this. I am very intrigued.


This is coming from someone with massive knowledge on educational statistics in the past 3 years.
Well, well, well. It seems YOU are the one who thinks he's better than anyone. Oooo you're smart... Give me a break. Your a hypocrite in the extreme.

Anything, or anybody, else you would like to stereotype? This is very amusing.

Later,
T:eek:

Your very optimistic for your age. I congradulate you.
Maybe you will go to mars. As for transportation what do you expect to be riding in to Mars? Conventional shuttles will run out of fuel. Maybe some type of solid fuel cell / electrical solar panel hybrid craft? Plus the lenght of time to get there you gonna need plenty of food and oxygen. So these are all going to come into play. As well as the speed of the craft. I don't know the speed of the current space shuttle incarnation but i don't think that it could make that trip. Unless technology speeds its advancement, and NASA gets a hefty raise to their budget, and the new space station can refuel we are looking at a long time till a mars mission. But you can still go for it. Like you said you might be in your prime. But please don't forget to add in the chaos factor.

This factor being that you can only control certain events. The rest of them are controlled by actions (or unaction). So lets say you become an Academy grad and a pilot. But say your CO thinks your not good enough. When you apply for your package he could revoke it stating that your subpar for being on such a mission. The same goes for your degree. You could finish pretty high in the class (not saying you might not) but someone might surpass you.

Its good to believe in what you want. Just remember that not everything turns out like you had hoped or wished. In any case good luck.

You can take what I am going to say with a grain of salt, because it
is just personal opinion. Get all the education you can before going
into the military. You do not always have control of your destiny
once in the military. All it takes sometimes is maybe a less intelligent,
but higher ranking superior officer to spoil your plans. The higher
your education, the more control you will have. Also, something I
haven't seen stated, but should be obvious, is the effect of love
and marriage on future goals. Certainly nothing wrong with marriage,
but if it happens too soon, it can sure change plans. To top it off,
love is unpredictable. I admire your goals and truly hope you reach
them. Just be aware of the pitfalls.

1) PhD first. A few years in the military will 'ruin' you in academia.
2) Duel majors are more work then you seem to think. Especially if you are taking them to masters level AND getting a 3rd PhD level degree.
3) Are you fairly tall? Do you have 20/20 vision? Are you in shape? If any of these are no you will probably only see cargo flights.
4) Do you plan on getting married/having kids? Where do they fit in?
5) The whole Mars thing....
a) You assume you got into NASA.
b) You assume you beat all the other NASA runners.
c) You are not one of the people who can simply not withstand takeoff.
6) NASA/army cares less about you being a gemologist.
7) Do you have at least a 3.8 GPA?

Im sorry kid, but you are better off buying lottery tickets every day. You are more likely to win the lottery 30 times and buy a trip to space. You are not even being slightly realistic... as you are relying on luck and the actions of others... neither of which you have any input on.

Hell, you don't even realize what statistics are good for. Most, correction... ALL, of science is based on statistics.

3) Are you fairly tall? Do you have 20/20 vision? Are you in shape? If any of these are no you will probably only see cargo flights.
Im 6' now. And the limit is 6'5". I have 20/20 vision. And im getting into shape as we speak.

4) Do you plan on getting married/having kids? Where do they fit in?
I am never getting married.

a) You assume you got into NASA.
I never assume anything. If you dont reach for what isnt likely to happen, you'll never even acheieve what IS likely to happen.
b) You assume you beat all the other NASA runners.
With what Im presently doing, and what im going to do, im hoping to make myself more valuable than many of the runners.



c) You are not one of the people who can simply not withstand takeoff.
Ive been flying all my life. My dad sells private airplanes. Ive flown in Cessnas, a turbo charged silver eagle, a duke, and many others. While different from jets, Im comfortable in the air.

7) Do you have at least a 3.8 GPA?
Actually its in the shitter right now... But I can bring it up to a 3.8 between my junior and senior years if I plan my classes right.

You are not even being slightly realistic... as you are relying on luck and the actions of others... neither of which you have any input on.
#1- Realistic: So you suggest I sit on my ass and just do something useless with my life? Do you realize we wouldnt even be anywhere where we are if it wasnt for people who had dreams and fulfilled them by doing whatever neccary and not listening to people like you guys? Honestly, your like trying to strap weights to my ankles. It doesnt make sense. Lets go back in time and tell Edison and Franklin they're crackpots. Lets steal all the hope they have a better future and see where we are now. Give me a break. Thank god Im not one of those people who would read this crap and slowly, slowly, let my hopes down and then just let go of my dreams.
#2- Im not relying on the luck or actions of others, only myself. Who else am I relying on?

Most, correction... ALL, of science is based on statistics. Thats great. Science... I love it. Im analytical and argumentitive. You obviously missed the entire point of what I was trying to say.

6) NASA/army cares less about you being a gemologist.
Its called putting myself through college if I dont decide to go the Air force academy way....



2inquisitive and LordAza. Thanks. Thats what I like to hear. I know there are going to be road blocks, pot holes and even construction. But Im going to do whatever it takes.

My family calls me argumentitive and analytical. I always use logic and reason with them... but you guys... holy god I thought I was bad.... you are just unbelievable. I dont believe in God persay, but I have my own faith... and spirituality and dreams. You guys are about as hard as diamond.

Unbelievable.... Anyone else up to the challenge? Come on, try and attach weights to my ankels. I dare you.


Later
T:confused: :eek: :bugeye:

Take a look here (http://www.dev.swforums.com/Images/T/astronaut.jpg)

whats the ratio of AF to Navy pilots becoming an astronaut