Ever dreamed of being an astronaut?

It wouldnt hurt, but you dont even have to be a rocket scientist to make that dream come true. Just ask Jessica Meir.

NASA just announced its new 2013 Astronaut Candidate Class, selecting eight candidates from the second largest pool in NASA history -- more than 6,100 applicants, hoping against hope for one of the most elite jobs around. Only a handful of people have walked with the stars, after all.

- Jessica Meir

Being selected was unbelievable, explained newly minted astronaut candidate Jessica Meir.

I was shocked, Mier told FoxNews.com. Its almost hard to believe. Because its something youve been dreaming and thinking about for an incredibly long time.

Becoming an astronaut is just like applying for any other job -- you must meet the basic requirements and from there the pool is narrowed down. But it was during that selection process that she realized just how stiff her competition would be.

I thought Wow, this is an incredible, elite group of people and there's probably no way Im going to be picked, Meir said.

Meir, a 35-year old assistant professor of anesthesia at Harvard Medical School, believes her private pilot's license set her apart from other candidates. After making it to the final round of NASA interviews in 2009, she was not picked. But she didnt let that rejection stop her from trying again.

Ive been saying I wanted to be an astronaut since I was 5, Meir told FoxNews.com. So its a really humbling experience.

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This Is NASA's New Astronaut