This list is amazing! Thank you for the effort! So glad I found this group! This is really helping me narrow down my list.
I think this one is going to make my list. Next step is to make a list of Top 25 and research possible majors. The comment about biology being a low paying major really hurt 
I really like science but I also want to make a good living.
Most biology majors end up in some type of grad school. My daughter was a bio major and worked before heading back to school.
A more accurate description might be âit dependsâ.
One daughter started off as an environmental science major. Then she switched to be a biology major. Then she switched to be an animal science major. She is currently half way through a DVM program and will most likely be a large animal veterinarian in a couple of years. Being a DVM is a good job if you can get there without taking on too much debt (which is a very big âifâ). Paying for 8 years of university however is a challenge. Avoiding debt for a bachelorâs degree is a big help in this direction.
Our other daughter graduated university as a biology major. I had always heard that biology was a poor paying major, but her experience was very different. One issue was that due to a switch in major between freshman year (language major) and sophomore year (biology major) she needed to take 4 lab courses at the same time sophomore year. She discovered that she loved lab work and was very good at it. She then spent approximately as much time in a lab as was possible for her last 3 years of university. This included research and internship opportunities. When she graduated she got a job as a research associate, again with her working mostly in a lab. Her interviews happened to occur during the pandemic while she was visiting us, so they were mostly via zoom, which meant that I got to accidentally hear a few of them. They went into a great deal of detail about what she had done in the lab and what research she had been involved in. She might not be as well paid as a software engineer, but is way closer than I would have expected (and is supporting herself just fine).
One issue might be what experience you have (when looking for a job) in addition to a degree in biology.
Exactly. There are multiple options in terms of what to do with a degree in biology. An MD, DVM, or masterâs degree are all likely to cost more money. This is one reason to look for an affordable choice for your bachelorâs degree.
And some amount of working after getting a bachelorâs degree before attending graduate school is very common, and can be very helpful in several ways (including knowing what sort of grad school you want to do, and getting accepted).
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Wasnât made to make you feel âhurtâ.
It was made because you listed two states - and I had mentioned a lot of LACs in PA or schools like U Del would potentially be lower in cost and yet still accessible to NYC - and knowing itâs one of the highest under employed majors (and many end up in grad school) and since you noted full pay but hoping for $$, that you might want to expand your reach to other directions but still with access to NYC.
Someone the other day listed their student attends Juniata at $28K - all merit based.
You have SUNY Albany on your list - and thatâs a slam dunk. The SUNYs are a great set of schools.
But then you list schools that will be $90K that offer no merit aid or others that will in the $60K+ and perhaps it should be a considerations in regards to initial spend.
Obviously, like any student and major, some in bio will do just great. But when looking at the overall #s, it tends to not do as well as some other majors.
Just information - and hoping since you mentioned you desired merit aid - that you take advantage of the savings opportunities out there for you - if thatâs truly important.
Thanks
If you intend to major in biology I would find a school/area that has a lot of opportunities for biology majors (research etc). You really need to build a solid resume.
I mentioned that my D was a bio major. She taught for a few years and is now a clinical research coordinator. Her salary is fine for a 20 something but her job is really something that young adults do while they get ready to apply to grad school, med school etc. As noted, most biology grads go back to school, and that is something to keep in mind.
In your opinion, does where the student went to undergrad matter in regards to graduate admissions - assuming all opportunities for research, etc. are constant.
Nope, does not matter. What matters is what you do and seek out.
When my D was in undergrad she had a research position at a very well known childrenâs research hospital. The website listed all of the undergrad institutions represented. Some went to Duke and similar schools, and many attended âlesserâ schools such as the U of Oklahoma, Kentucky, Stony Brook etc. All of them were brilliant (in my opinion) and gave outstanding presentations (we attended). The goal for this program was to encourage undergrads to go into research. Nobody cared what college you went to.
Undergrad choice does not matter at all for grad school. What matters is what you do, grades, relationships etc. Itâs on you, nothing is handed to you regardless of school.
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Another thought- attending a less costly school might free up money. What if you get a cool research position that pays a little less than another one that is less suited to your interests?
Attending the less expensive school might allow you to take the lower paying position.
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I donât know the largest merit awards at the University of Rochester, but they do give merit. Might be worth looking into.
My D got the Bausch and Lomb award to Rochester but when she asked them how much it was for, the school would not commit to a specific amount. They told her âit depends.â She ended up not applying (for other reasons). This was awhile ago- maybe it changed.
I think itâs a great school and worth looking into, but I do not think the merit will be enough. This student will need at least $30,000 in merit.
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I just have to askâŠ.why Massachusetts?
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You might want to look at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. It charges NY residents more than Mass residents, but a lot less than other students from outside New England.
Youâll note that it also gives merit aid.
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I want to be near a city and I like the idea of Boston. Iâve lived near New York and Philodelphia so I want something new. But still want to be an easy drive from home.
Thanks for all your help! I have lots to work with!
Have you had a chance to talk to your family about the budget?
Based off that information, Iâve narrowed down the previous list that I shared with you upthread, being fairly conservative with what is ânear a city.â As you mentioned New York and Philly, both of which are major metropolises, I erred on the larger side. Just realize, though, that places with a population greater than 50,000 are considered cities. Would that work for you, or are you looking for places in the hundreds of thousands or millions?
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