Chances for these grad schools - environmental & conservation related programs

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi everyone!</p>

<p>I'm a senior at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and the time has finally come to start shortlisting and applying to graduate schools. I'm currently double majoring in Zoology and Biological Aspects of Conservation, and I'm also in the Honors in the Liberal Arts program. In terms of groups, I'm a member of the Undergraduate Zoological Society, which I've done some volunteer work with.</p>

<p>My current cumulative GPA is 3.615, which is lower than I want it to be of course, but I went through kind of a rough patch during the second semester of junior year...</p>

<p>I've taken the GRE once and I received 165 on Verbal, 157 on Quant, and a 5.0 on the Analytical Writing section. I'm pretty proud of these scores, but I'd like to improve on Quant so I'm set to take it again soon.</p>

<p>In terms of work experience, I've done two summer internships (one with SeaWeb and the other with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums) and am in my third semester of working with an environmental nonprofit near campus (The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin). For research experience, I did some mentored research during my sophomore year, so I only really have one semester's worth of experience. However, all of these experiences combined have helped me network and I'm set to get great letters of recommendation.</p>

<p>I've shortlisted the following schools and programs (though I'm not sure I'll apply to all of them in the end)</p>

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<p>I picked these schools because of their particular program, because I like the feel of state schools, and because each of the states are reputed for their liberalness and LGBT-friendliness (which is as important to me as academics).</p>

<p>If any of you are familiar with any of the programs listed above - do you think I have a chance of getting in? Are there any big things I need to do to boost my r</p>

2

<p>I don’t think you would really go wrong with any of those programs. I would be aware that some of them are very different — just because they are “state schools” doesn’t mean they’re alike. I visited the University of Maine after being offered there, but it was just too small/rural of a community for me — and the same might probably be said of the University of New Hampshire. By contrast, the other schools on your list are either in large cities or good-sized college towns.</p>

<p>Also, be sure to pursue job or internship opportunities every summer. There is pretty fierce competition for jobs in the conservation field, particularly if you’re trying to get into a position with one of the federal land management agencies. (Ask me how I know.) The more people you know, the bigger your network, the better off you’ll be.</p>