Good colleges for environmental science/studies? Prefer West, flexibility/breadth would be helpful

College Majors Science Majors
1

HS junior daughter is interested in environmental science or studies. We are in California and would appreciate thoughts on the various UC and CSU programs. But she would be open to other options, especially colleges that are in WUE or maybe private colleges that could give merit aid. Western US probably preferred, but East coast not completely ruled out. She could go in various directions–could become more of a scientist (e.g. field biology/ecology, not likely a lab science direction), but probably more likely to go in the direction of law/policy/advocacy. So the ideal program could be called environmental science (e.g. UCSB Env Sci BA program) or environmental studies, but could also be called conservation resource management, society & environment, etc. So wherever she ends up should have some flexibility as her interests become clearer over time.

Projected stats for UC application (grades 10 and 11 only):

Unweighted GPA: 3.67

Weighted GPA: 4.56

Weighted and Capped GPA: 4.11
SAT: 1430 (690 math, 740 English)

Thanks for your help!

2

For privates take a look at Whitman and Occidental.

I am on my phone and don’t have my bookmarks that are on my computer. I will add more tomorrow.

3

@eandesmom probably has some great answers for this topic.

4

Whitman and Colorado College.

5

University of Wisconsin - lots of opportunities for research and field work

6

Here are programs that I had bookmarked when we were looking for colleges for my daughter. It is by no means definitive and are focussed on what she wanted.

http://forestandwildlifeecology.wisc.edu
http://www.cals.wisc.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/areas-of-study/majors/wildlife-ecology/

http://wfcb.ucdavis.edu

https://www.cfans.umn.edu/academics/majors-minors/espm
https://www.cfans.umn.edu/academics/majors-minors/fisheries-wildlife

http://www.cfc.umt.edu/default.php

http://www.juniata.edu/academics/departments/environmental/areas-of-study/

https://www.smith.edu/biology/major.php

http://www.evsc.virginia.edu/academics/undergraduate/specialization-in-environmental-and-biological-conservation/

http://www.esf.edu/admissions/programs.htm

http://www.somas.stonybrook.edu

http://www.wec.ufl.edu/undergrad/

http://www.bio.fsu.edu/ee/ecology_conservation.php
https://www.international.fsu.edu/FYA.aspx first year study abroad at full OOS price, the following years at in state prices. Look at Panama location

study abroad
http://www.fieldstudies.org/programs

http://www.sea.edu/academics
http://www.roundriver.org

http://smconservation.gmu.edu/programs/undergraduate/semester-in-wildlife-ecology-and-conservation/

7

Depending on what she has planned for this summer, check out http://www.sea.edu/high_school_programs which is a three week program on Cape Cod. Financial aid may still be available. I highly recommend it. My daughter did a different version of it and it was wonderful.

8

What are any cost restraints for COA other OOS or private schools in comparison to instate at a UC school? Some schools will offer great merit aid and financial assistance, others not enough to equal instate COA. I will link a post from @eandesmom, she did quite a bit of research this past year and this link discusses the final choices her son narrowed down: alk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1973932-environmental-studies-policy-uvm-v-wwu-v-ursinus.html#latest

While not on the West Coast, I will suggest Eckerd College. Great merit and financial aid. Good program for environmental studies. Sustainable campus, research opportunities and study abroad choices in the field. Numerous internship opportunities.

9

Western Washington. The main college is not very flexible–they have lots of gen eds. Basically everyone is forced to get quite a bit of breadth. There is an alternative program within Western called Fairhaven which is more “choose your own adventure.”

WUE is competitive, not guaranteed.

WWU College of the Environment: https://huxley.wwu.edu/
Fairhaven: https://fairhaven.wwu.edu/

10

Thanks everyone for your recommendations! We’ll consider them carefully.

11

Another vote for Whitman. They really have a focus on environmental studies – I remember that they had a lot of majors that could be combined with environmental studies.