<p>Hm, well, I'm a senior in highschool and I, for the longest time, hadn't a clue as to what I wanted to major in. Recently geology has really caught my interest. I'm currently thinking that it might be a good major. I'm also considering a minor in biology (good or bad idea?).</p>
<p>After looking around a bit there seems to be several good careers in the field (especially if you get your Masters) as well as a demand for them. I was just curious and would like the input of others. If anyone could offer advice as to how to go about getting a geology major it would be insanely helpful, along with any other helpful information, such as preferred schools or programs. Thank you for taking the time to read through this, and even more so if you reply.</p>
<p>A lot of LACs are good for Geology... Grinnell, Williams, Bowdoin, and Amherst come to mind.</p>
<p>Columbia also has one of the best Earth Science departments in the world.
Cornell may also be good if you apply to their College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.</p>
<p>I am a professional geologist worked in energy for 25 years. Love my career , and love geology both the economic and academic parts.</p>
<p>So I see you are in HS, what part of the country are you in? There are many outstanding programs around the country and I dont think most geologists like myself think of just one superior program. SOme very good programs. Cal USC UCLA ORegon State, Stanford, Colorado Sch MInes, Texas-Austin, Ohio State, Princeton, Va Tech.. many others. I would look for a solid undergraduate program, but dont fret the details.</p>
<p>You mentioned a MS... If you go in planning for it , it helps the mindset, it is really considered the 'professional' degree... There you may want to hone in on some more research oriented places</p>
<p>Biology minor is fine if that is an interest. I will say look for a BS rather than a BA for the most part (that means you will most likely take calc, physics and the like). Many schools have an earth science school or department... </p>
<p>List some schools you are interested in and I will ovffer an opinion. I do recruit and hire geologists, so I am somewhat knowledgable about current departments</p>
<p>Thank you for the response. I'm also glad to see that it can be enjoyable as a career.</p>
<p>I live in Southern Nevada, so many of the western schools aren't too far away. My residential schools (UNLV and UNR) are tempting because of cost and easy admission, but I know I shouldn't feel restiricted by that. I've looked into the Colorado School of Mines as well as the New Mexico School of Mines briefly, but I'm a bit apprehensive as to what I should seriously consider.</p>
<p>Just lost a post. I would recommend Staying in the west, great geology , great profs. You should be thinking graduate school (MSc) so consider the financial impact of that. Where ever you go -put all you can into the program. So some thoughts</p>
<p>1 UNLV- very good respectable school
2. UN- R dont know much, should be good
3. Stanford- a status suggestion (as are the next few
4 USC
5 UCSB
6 UCSD
7 Col Sch Mines- very good esp petroleum, rumored to be intense
8 NM school MInes- interesting, lots of federal money at least recently
9 Univ of Utah
10 Utah State- Good Structural PRofs
11 North Arizona, an offbeat choice, but a very well respected school
12 Oregon State- for some geographic diversity</p>
<p>There are other great schools around the country, but if you go to Ohio for example, they will truly wonder why you have left the good geology of the west to come to school there..... IF there are other considerations ---fine, and as I said grad school different recommendations .. but have a look</p>
<p>Thanks a ton for the insight. You've cleared up quite a few things for me and have helped me narrow down my decisions. I don't have any specific questions at the moment and I guess I'll just have to see how things play out, though advice and reccomendations are still greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I'm a petroleum engineering major and love geology. Glad to see other people who have an interest in it. Definately stay out west like rty456 said. There is alot of opportunity in the oil industry if that would be something that interests you. Utimately school choice comes down to what is the best fit for you. I could have went to any school in the south, but LSU just seemed the best fit, it wasn't too far, I could travel home on the holidays and it offered petroleum engineering. Although, if I lived in texas I would have taken the offer I got from UT or A&M. In the end choose a school that offers a solid program in geology and gives you whatever you think is important. I hear too many people complain that they won't be able to travel home for thanksgiving and Easter, lol.</p>
<p>one other thing. I do like the current employment options, but I know many many geolgoists who have said they would have loved the degree even if they didnt 'use' it..... Many of us geologists love and are fascinated with the history of the earth, but as a high school student keep an open eye for what is definitiely best for you</p>
<p>definitly do your research before you enroll. I'm a Geology major and I thought that my college would have a relatively strong program (from the website). Turns out they didn't let me into Intro to Geo or Environmental Analysis so I'm stuck with classes completely unrealated to what I want to do...anyways just find a school with a large department so you can actually take the classes you're paying for.</p>
<p>oh sure there are.... I dont have a usnews list right now, but I woudl suggest several. Depending on what you want to do. Ohio State, Virgina Tech, Princeton, MIT, ( a couple of the sunys have good programs, ) Penn State, West Virgina. I know proefessionals from places like Franklin and Marshall; South Carolina, Dartmouth, Columbia, Pittsburgh</p>
<p>I would agree with post above, you need a depatment with enough size to offer classes you need, I would say a minimum of 6 faculty in the department (for geology--not including GIS or geography, etc) prefereably 10 or more....</p>
<p>I just saw this topic and I am in the same dilema but I am torn between physics and geology. I was wondering what you think of millerville university of geology, right now that is my top choice. Penn State would of been my top choice but I did not get into main campus.</p>
<p>I took a look at tne Millerville site ... I am not familar with it specifically, but the only concern I would have is that the department seemed a little small, (I did note they were trying to hire another prof). Nothing worng with small, per se, just only if it affected your ability to get classes in sequence. Talk to them, maybe talk to some students. Looks like it is a solid department</p>
<p>I did go to field camp with a couple of guys from Indiana Univ-Pa, not saying it is better, ( I know it is a bigger) .. just as a point of reference.. Very well trained.. I expect Millerville to be the same.</p>
<p>ESPECIALLY, since I would recommend going in with the idea that you will go to grad school .(grad school with assistantships etc can be very doable financially-so dont let that scare you). For grad school I woudl recommend a larger research focused school.... </p>
<p>All the best-- oh btw I am biased, but I would prefer geologyover physics any day</p>
<p>whatever you do, embrace the moment... When appropriate think about future needs, then lay it aside and dont worry (such as grad school) until you have too... whatever you choose embrace it and more options will be open..</p>
<p>always happy to help a potential geo ..... and student.. I am a middle aged energy manager, but I am counting on you (and other students) to take my job one day and whatever the discipline, pay taxes when I am retired :)</p>
<p>Yeah, we need as many people in the science/math/engineering because their are just too many dead heads walking around these days. I'm just talking about the ones I see on college campuses. We need as many as we can get because not to many want to carry the torch. Keep your focus on the task at hand. Don't get distracted and fall off the wagon. Make the most of the time you have and it will pay off.</p>
<p>No matter what you want to major in, make sure you go to a school that has other options that are viable and interesting enough for you, in case it turns out that your planned major just isn't for you.</p>