Good options for Field Biology/Ecology?

College Search & Selection
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<p>My daughter is a junior and she's feeling a bit overwhelmed when it comes to sorting through the options for college. Her current career goal is to do field work in biology/zoology - still not sure if she's more interested in marine or land ecosystems. She's looking for a school with a strong biology program, but one slanted more toward field research and grad school prep than pre-med (definitely not interested in the cell biology track). An environmental sciences program would be a plus.</p>

<p>At this point, she really just needs a good foundation in the sciences that will let her explore some of the career options, as well as a program that will provide undergrad research opportunities and other support to help prepare her for graduate study. She's a good student but would prefer a collegial (rather than competitive) academic atmosphere. She's currently drawn toward small, somewhat selective LACs, but has not ruled out a big state university (which might have more options in terms of coursework in her field of interest). She'd prefer a place with some school spirit, and definitely wants the opportunity to study abroad. Quite a list!</p>

<p>Her current stats:</p>

<ul>
<li>3.7 GPA (UW)</li>
<li>SATs (high 600s on first attempt; scheduled to take ACT in March & SAT (again) in June)</li>
<li>6 APs, several additional honors classes, but only two years of Spanish (with her school's block/trimester system, hard to fit in more...!)</li>
<li>She will be participating in a new regional program next year designed to give students a hands-on intro to wildlife biology and field work, led by local scientists and naturalists (3 of her 7.5 credits for senior year)</li>
<li>She's had a variety of leadership experiences, is in NHS, volunteers at a local therapeutic riding center and at a nearby zoo, and competes nationally as an equestrian - eventing has been her passion for the past 8+ years</li>
<li>She writes well, has great relationships with her counselor and teachers, and I think will interview very well</li>
<li>She's also Hispanic, if that matters...</li>
</ul>

<p>As for the schools she's been looking at, it's a LONG and varied list right now:</p>

<p>Allegheny College
Bates College
Bowdoin College (current dream school, but a definite REACH)
Bucknell University
Colby College
College of the Atlantic (tiny!)
College of Wooster
Colorado College
Colorado State
Cornell University
Denison University
Eckerd College
Elon University
Hobart & William Smith
Hope College
Lafayette College
Miami University
Michigan State University (HUGE! - my alma mater)
Middlebury College
Montana State University
Ohio Wesleyan
St. Lawrence University
University of Colorado - Boulder
University of Michigan (my husband's alma mater)
University of Montana
Whitman College (another favorite)</p>

<p>If her collection of interests and preferences rings any bells with anyone, we'd welcome any suggestions - either as to how these schools fit her profile, or other possibilities to consider. I'd like to help her narrow this down to maybe a dozen schools we can visit this summer, then eventually to about 8 good choices she can apply to in the fall. </p>

<p>Many thanks!</p>

2

<p>Biology jobs are fiercely competitive, due to the popularity of the major. She should know this going in and be aggressive about seeking internships and post-graduation jobs.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1121619-university-graduate-career-surveys-4.html#post15518814[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1121619-university-graduate-career-surveys-4.html#post15518814&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Perhaps an initial screen would be to figure out a price limit and then check the net price calculators at each school to determine if they are affordable on need-based financial aid (if not, check for large enough merit scholarships).</p>

<p>Another initial screen would be to go through the course catalogs and schedules to see if the desired courses are available, and how frequently (some small schools may offer some advanced courses only once every two years).</p>

3

<p>Use a good search engine to find schools with a marine biology option, though many people pursue it as a Master’s after getting a general Biology undergrad degree.</p>

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<p>ucbalumnus: Yes, I agree that job availability in this field is always an issue. I was a zoology major l-o-n-g ago and opted for vet school in part for that reason. Her original plan was dentistry but she realized that this is what she is really passionate about (she’s been ‘researching’ animals and their behavior all her life) and wants to give it a try. I’ve advised her to keep her options open (e.g., she also has an interest in science writing/documentaries or work with non-profits…) and to make as many contacts as possible while in school. That’s why a college that is strongly supportive of UG research is important, though I know there are many opportunities available through REU programs and such as well.</p>

<p>Should have mentioned that it’s doubtful we’d be eligible for need-based aid, but thanks to some good investing for many years, neither of our kids will need to take out loans no matter where they opt to go - at least for UG. My son got a good merit scholarship at
RHIT; hoping she will also get something like this, though I know that’s not a sure thing at many of these colleges. Hopefully in a science field, grad school will come with a stipend of some sort, but still don’t want to spend more than she has to for a great UG education.</p>

<p>BeanTownGirl: I’ve read many posts on this board regarding the importance of the UG major (or lack thereof?) and found a few lists of good MB schoools, some of which she’s incorporated into her list. At this point, since she’s still exploring options, we’re open to any school with a solid bio program so long as it’s not exclusively focused on biomedical areas.</p>

<p>Many thanks - additional thoughts welcome!</p>

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<p>Juniata College is worth an in-depth look – We visited last week and I was very impressed with what the school has to offer.</p>

<p>The school isn’t ranked as high as others on your list. They offer good merit. And they are definitely in need of ethnic diversity. The Raystown field station and the opportunity to live there for a semester is intriguing. </p>

<p>[Juniata</a> College - About - Virtual Tour - Raystown Field Station](<a href=“http://www.juniata.edu/about/tour/raystown.html]Juniata”>http://www.juniata.edu/about/tour/raystown.html)</p>

<p>Overall, we were very impressed, but the remote location may be difficult for a student used to more urban areas. Plenty of study abroad. Impressive summer internships.</p>

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<p>Thanks - interesting! I wasn’t aware that they had that program. She considered Juniata early on, but when she spoke to them at a ‘Colleges That Change Lives’ event she thought the school seemed a little too ‘offbeat’ - she does want a bit of that traditional collegiate experience… But we will definitely take another look, esp if she is checking out other PA schools.</p>

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<p>That list of colleges does not intersect much with the typical colleges mentioned for field biology work. You will need to research the courses offered and the backgrounds of the professors. Many bio programs are light on the taxonomy/animal behavior side and heavy on genetics and molecular biology.</p>

<p>My uncle is a recognizable name in the field and we were just talking about this last Thanksgiving. Colleges he mentioned: Humbolt State, Cornell, Alaska Fairbanks, U Montana, U of Idaho, and a few others I do not remember. </p>

<p>There are some good threads on the Science Majors subforum.</p>

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<p>Yes, that’s my concern that we’re barking up the wrong tree with some of these programs. I will go back to the science majors and try some different search terms… I think some of these may have come from the recommendations for Marine Biology?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>When I saw your title I immediately thought Bowdoin. Incredibly strong, co-operative, and great resources for those fields of study.</p>

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<p>UW Madison would meet all the criteria with an extremely deep array of bio related majors and facilites. And less costly than Michigan. For starters:</p>

<p>[Institute</a> for Biology Education - Resources for Undergraduates](<a href=“http://www.biology.wisc.edu/New%20Students.htm]Institute”>http://www.biology.wisc.edu/New%20Students.htm)</p>

<p><a href=“http://nelson.wisc.edu/[/url]”>http://nelson.wisc.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://www.studyabroad.wisc.edu/prospectivestudents.html[/url]”>http://www.studyabroad.wisc.edu/prospectivestudents.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>As a future Environmental Studies major at Bowdoin (Class of 2017!), I must say…you have a great list!! I have been to pretty much all of the LACs on your list, plus Cornell. The list looks great, but I’m sure you realize that you will have to cut it down a bit at some point. Too many safeties…</p>

<p>Bowdoin, Middlebury and Williams will be your best bet for the NESCAC schools. The next tier down would be Colby, Bates. Whitman is great for biology/enviro people as well.</p>

<p>As someone who looked at all of those schools with the same interests in mind, I have a hard time believing that you would find a better fit than Bowdoin or Middlebury. Those were my two favorites by far.</p>

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<p>barrons: Thanks! I think U Wisc-Madison should be on the list, too - just wish it were a smaller school. Great links.</p>

<p>bs_hopeful: Congratulations on your acceptance at Bowdoin! Can I ask what made you ultimately decide on Bowdoin vs. Middlebury? Any other insights from your exporation would be most welcome… Hoping to get to both coasts this summer to check out both the LAC options (including Bowdoin, Middlebury and Whitman, as well as Colby, Bates and probably even CoA) and the bigger U of MT and CO schools that have such incredible programs for Wildlife Biology/Ecology. Should be fun and I’m sure the first hand look will help her to get a feel for what she really wants in a school.</p>

<p>THANKS, all!</p>

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<p>

I’d second this list and add Hamilton. And, yes, being Hispanic will be a boost at these Northeastern LACs.</p>

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<p>Please chance me for UW- madison</p>

<p>I have a 3.82 W GPA. Top 10 % of my senior class. 1650 on the SAT’s. Took 8+ AP classes and almost everything else was Honors or College level classes. Also, for the mid- year report i had all A’s while taking 8 classes in my senior year. Essay was great, got help from school teachers as well. Had 3 recs, they were all good. One was from Anatomy teacher, another from my AP Chem teacher and one from my wrestling coach. As for extra curicullars, i have a lot down and hold leadership positions in most of them. Please chance me! UW- Madison is my dream school! I have been accepted to Purdue, Ohio State, Rutgers, VA Tech, and Penn state UP</p>

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<p>If she’s interested in doing ecology related fieldwork, she mightalso be interested in geology as a major as well. Look at schools within the Keck Consortium.
[Keck</a> Research Opportunities for Undergraduates | Keck Geology Consortium](<a href=“http://keckgeology.org/]Keck”>http://keckgeology.org/)</p>

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<p>momrath: I guess that’s good to hear! Thanks…</p>

<p>qualah: Geology…hmmm. She’s such an animal kid that I don’t think she has given a thought to geology. I have read that there are more job opportunities in that direction, but I think it’s something she’d have to be exposed to before she’d consider it. Looks like a great program, tho!</p>

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<p>My son had similar interests. Colorado State and Humbolt State were his favorites (and highest recommended from Willife Biologist friends), but Colorado State was much more flexible and accessible and he is extremely happy there. Lots of really focused wildlife biology people with access to internships and jobs emphasized from the get go.</p>

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<p>Consider University of California at Santa Cruz too – there’s great marine lab there! I had a lot of friends who got Environmental Studies degrees there and they loved the program(s) and many are have impressive jobs working in the field! Good luck!</p>

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<p>I will give a plug for Eckerd College. It is located on Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg. The marine science lab is directly on the water, you start your marine science courses as a Freshman, your first lab is out on the boats. They just completed the James Center for molecular and life sciences building. They have the largest number of NOAA Hollings Scholars in the US. Freshman are eligible for a research grant. The mentor program has been replicated in many colleges. It is listed in Fiske’s guide for environmental studies and sciences. It is a green campus. The students intern and perform service learning projects at Mote Marine, Clearwater Aquarium, Florida Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo, Suncoast Primate Sanctuary, Boyd Hill nature center, Weedon Island Preserve, Florida Fish and Wildlife, Suncoast Sea Bird Sanctuary and many others. Because it is an LAC, one of the advantages is the ability to assist professors with their research projects. Their are numerous preserves and sanctuaries in the surrounding area.</p>

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<p>Knox, Carleton, and Austin College all own forest or prairie land that is used for biology field work.</p>

<p>Knox also has what they call Greek Oaks Term where the student does nothing but field biology for ten weeks. They also hold prairie burns there (the Knox athletic teams are called the Prairie Fire). [Green</a> Oaks Term | Knox College](<a href=“http://www.knox.edu/academics/distinctive-programs/green-oaks-term.html]Green”>http://www.knox.edu/academics/distinctive-programs/green-oaks-term.html)</p>

<p>Austin College does research and education at the Sneed Prairie. [Projects</a> | Austin College](<a href=“http://www.austincollege.edu/academics/centers-and-institutes/center-for-environmental-studies/projects-activities/#sneed]Projects”>http://www.austincollege.edu/academics/centers-and-institutes/center-for-environmental-studies/projects-activities/#sneed)</p>

<p>Both of those sites are off-campus. Carleton has an 880 acre arboretum (“The Arb”) directly adjacent to campus. [Carleton</a> College: Cowling Arboretum: Carleton College Cowling Arboretum](<a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/arb/]Carleton”>http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/arb/)</p>