<p>What are the best liberal arts schools for environmental science? I usually hear Colby, Bowdoin, and Middlebury as being the best in this field. Is that accurate?</p>
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<p>I would also look at Carleton. Their intro to geology course has a reputation for turning unsuspecting freshmen into environmental science majors.</p>
<p>It’s hard to describe one environmental science program as “best” because they can be very different. Colorado College with one class at a time schedule allows for more flexibility in doing field studies. Knox has a ten-week Green Oaks term that includes a prairie burn (the Knox sports teams are known as the Prairie Fire). Austin College does environmental studies at Lake Texoma. Field studies are obviously an important part of an environmental science major, so take that into account when you’re looking for a school.</p>
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<p>Thank you for the response. Carleton and Colorado College are on the list already. Perhaps I should look into those other ones as well.</p>
<p>I understand what you mean about all of the programs being different. I have definitely gotten that sense while talking to various college students.</p>
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<p>I’m less familiar with Colby, but Bowdoin and Middlebury both have superb reputations for environmental science. Bowdoin is particularly good for marine science and arctic studies. As spdf mentioned, Carleton also has a good reputation. </p>
<p>I recommend taking a particularly close look at LACs with geology programs. That includes Colgate, Hamilton, Bates, Williams, Occidental, Washington & Lee, Oberlin, Bryn Mawr (or Haverford), Sewanee, Amherst, Franklin & Marshall, Earlham, Beloit, Wittenberg, Juniata, Macalester, Pomona, Whitman, Puget Sound, and possibly others I’m not remembering. </p>
<p>For environmental policy/studies, the best option is Claremont McKenna.</p>
<p>If you want to live and breathe environmental science, it’s hard to beat places like Warren Wilson, Prescott, and the College of the Atlantic.</p>
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<p>St Lawrence University (NY)</p>
<p>[environmental</a> studies | St. Lawrence University Academics](<a href=“http://www.stlawu.edu/academics/programs/environmental-studies]environmental”>Environmental Studies | St. Lawrence University)</p>
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<p>Thanks! I will look into that…</p>
<p>Any other suggestions out there?</p>
<p>middlebury</p>
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<p>Another vote for Middlebury.</p>
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<p>Neat. Do any of you guys have personal experience with these programs? If so, it would be cool if I could hear a bit more about it.</p>
<p>Middlebury is often mentioned as having one of the best ES programs. Apparently, it was the nation’s first. Interesting!</p>
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<p>Take a look at Whitman. The ES major requires the student to pair environmental studies with another discipline - i.e., biology, chemistry, geology, physics, sociology, or humanities. Makes for a rigorous course of study, almost like a double major. Whitman also offers some great in-the-field programs, such as Semester in the West, and Summer in the Wallowas.</p>
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<p>Whitman does look cool. I prefer schools on the east coast, as I live there, but Whitman will definitely go on the list. Their department website was great. Very helpful.</p>
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<p>Any more responses out there? BUMP.</p>
<p>connecticut college has a really interesting interdisciplinary ES certificate program [Connecticut</a> College: The Goodwin-Niering Center<br>for the Environment](<a href=“http://www.conncoll.edu/centers/goodwin-niering/]Connecticut”>http://www.conncoll.edu/centers/goodwin-niering/)</p>
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<p>If you’re interested in Middlebury, be sure to check out its participation in the DOE Solar Decathlon project. ([Middlebury</a> Solar Decathlon | Home](<a href=“http://solardecathlon.middlebury.edu/]Middlebury”>http://solardecathlon.middlebury.edu/))</p>
<p>For Geology, check out the Keck Consortium and participating schools ([Keck</a> Research Opportunities for Undergraduates | Keck Geology Consortium](<a href=“http://keckgeology.org/]Keck”>http://keckgeology.org/)). Carleton, Colorado College, and Whitman are all members.</p>
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<p>Oberlin has good environmental studies.</p>
<p>Overview - Oberlin College</p>
<p>And they really walk the talk.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/26/ed...pagewanted=all[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/26/ed...pagewanted=all</a></p>
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<p>warblersrule pretty much summed it up, I think. I definitely second Whitman (semester in the west) and Oberlin (tons of green initiatives at the school).</p>
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<p>Do a search for other threads on CC, this topic gets addressed a lot!</p>
<p>Bump…</p>
<p>I’ll just add my voice to the warning about ES as a “multi-disciplinary” major. It’s often presented in a somehwat “psudo-” way, a bit of science, a bit of econ/business, a bit of policy/gov/IR. I’d always recommend one define one’s interest and, in a perfect world, select a co-major to suport a claim of some expertise. If double majoring is not an option, it may be prudent to give up ES as a primary major, take lots of supporting classes in the field, and pursue summer (and school year, if possible) internships, to boost one’s prospects come graduation day. Lots of ES majors out there struggling to get jobs. Geology and economics/business majors, less so.</p>