Argonne National Laboratory
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
- N/A
- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Life at Argonne National Laboratory differs substantially from the traditional student experience at universities. Researchers work in a professional environment focused on scientific advancement rather than the social and extracurricular dimensions that characterize campus life. However, the laboratory community offers its own culture and support systems for the thousands of researchers, from graduate students to senior scientists, who work there. Graduate students conducting research at Argonne typically maintain primary residence near their home universities, spending extended periods at the laboratory for research but returning for coursework and other degree requirements. Those with long-term research placements may relocate to the Chicago suburbs surrounding the laboratory. Housing options in communities like Lemont, Downers Grove, and Naperville range from apartments to family homes, with costs moderate by major metropolitan standards. The laboratory campus includes amenities supporting its research community, including cafeterias, fitness facilities, and meeting spaces. Scientific seminars, colloquia, and workshops occur regularly, providing intellectual stimulation and networking opportunities. The Argonne community includes researchers from dozens of countries, creating an international atmosphere. Professional development programs help early-career researchers build skills in communication, leadership, and career planning. Postdoctoral fellows and interns often form social communities organized around research divisions, shared housing arrangements, or recreational interests. Chicago's cultural offerings, restaurant scene, and sports culture provide entertainment options, while the surrounding region offers outdoor recreation including forest preserves, lakes, and bike trails. The laboratory's location requires automobile transportation for most activities beyond the campus.
Location & Surroundings
Argonne National Laboratory occupies a 1,500-acre campus in DuPage County, Illinois, approximately 25 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. The wooded campus setting provides a tranquil research environment surprisingly close to a major metropolitan area, though the isolated location necessitates automobile transportation for most researchers. The laboratory sits adjacent to Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, offering hiking and biking trails through natural areas. The Chicago metropolitan area's climate features four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters, warm and humid summers, and pleasant spring and fall periods. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing with significant snowfall, requiring winter driving skills and appropriate clothing. Summers bring temperatures in the 70s and 80s with occasional heat waves reaching the 90s. Transportation to and from the laboratory relies primarily on personal automobiles, though the laboratory operates shuttle services connecting to Metra commuter rail stations. Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports provide connections to destinations worldwide, important for researchers traveling to conferences and collaborations. The laboratory's suburban location places it within reasonable commuting distance of numerous residential communities offering various housing types and price points. Chicago's world-class cultural institutions, restaurants, and entertainment provide abundant off-work options for researchers willing to make the drive or take public transportation downtown. The surrounding suburbs offer quieter alternatives including shopping centers, restaurants, and family-oriented activities. The region's cost of living is moderate compared to coastal metropolitan areas, making it financially accessible for researchers on government salaries.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Research at Argonne National Laboratory is typically funded through fellowships, grants, or employment rather than tuition payment, fundamentally differing from academic educational models. Graduate students conducting research at Argonne receive support through their home university's stipend and tuition arrangements, with research costs covered by faculty grants or laboratory resources. The student's financial responsibility resembles their university's graduate program rather than a separate laboratory expense. Postdoctoral fellows receive competitive salaries typically ranging from $65,000 to $90,000 annually, with exact amounts depending on experience and fellowship type. Named fellowships like the Maria Goeppert Mayer and Enrico Fermi programs offer salaries at the higher end plus research funds and travel support. Standard postdoctoral positions provide salaries consistent with federal pay scales for early-career scientists. Benefits include health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid leave. Career outcomes for researchers trained at Argonne span academic positions, national laboratory careers, and private sector opportunities. The laboratory's reputation and the experience of working with unique facilities and expert mentors enhance career prospects across all sectors. Many postdoctoral fellows transition to staff scientist positions at Argonne or other national laboratories, while others join university faculties or industry research laboratories. Major employers of Argonne alumni include research universities (University of Chicago, MIT, Stanford), other national laboratories (Brookhaven, Oak Ridge, Lawrence Berkeley), technology companies (Intel, Apple, Google), pharmaceutical and chemical companies, and startups commercializing scientific innovations. The skills developed at Argonne, particularly in advanced instrumentation, computational methods, and collaborative research, are highly valued across science-intensive industries.
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