The one question you hear all the time as a little kid is “what do you want to be when you grow up”. Most children give the same three answers: doctor, lawyer or astronaut. The adult asking the question usually responds with a chuckle under their breath because they know what getting one of these prestigious jobs entails. In today's world, only the elite will have a chance to benefit from such an incredible career opportunity. Today, if we look at the top three answers given by children, it is much more likely to become a doctor or lawyer than to get a job as an astronaut. Today, the qualifications you must meet to be eligible for this career include: excelling in a range of required skills, passing rigorous physical exams while finding a unique way to distinguish yourself from thousands of other talented candidates. 'hope. When you ask former astronaut Robert Lee Gibson about his experiences at NASA, one question came to mind: "What do you tell little kids when they say they want to be an astronaut?" He said, "I always tell each of them the same thing: 'Excel in school, get your pilot's license and learn to play the piano.' He thinks having a full application is the only way NASA will remember your name. Thousands of applicants apply with the same boring information about all their advanced degrees, fancy awards and prestigious studies. However, they are constantly looking for someone unique who will bring a new skill set. NASA currently receives between 4,000 and 8,000 applications each round, and of all those applicants, only 35 are selected. In 2013, however, NASA received 6,000 applications and few...... middle of paper ...... they are currently on multiple missions and applied to the program before being accepted, but they never gave up on their dream. and accomplished everything they wanted. Entering the space program comes with many challenges that require doing things over and over again, even if they fail each time. Persistence is a quality that every member of the NASA team possesses, because science is unknown and experiments take time. So, after reading all this, is becoming an astronaut really worth the effort and time it takes? It's up to you to find out. Having to pass rigorous physical exams, learning supernatural skills and demonstrating perseverance are what it takes to be part of the 1% who manage to enter the unknown we call space. So if you want to become an astronaut, go out and make all your wildest dreams come true..