<p>University of Rochester has a good GeoSciences major: <a href=“Geological Majors : Undergraduate Program : Earth & Environmental Sciences : University of Rochester”>http://www.ees.rochester.edu/major-minor/geological.html</a>
Additionally, they have many opportunities for individualized study, which could meet his other academic interests.
Snowballs included…</p>
<p>What about College of the Atlantic?</p>
<p>THank you for the additional suggestions. My friend’s son recently graduated from COA so will ask about that!</p>
<p>I am not sure if he should limit choices according to the availability of geology/earth science. Maybe environmental studies and other areas of study would satisfy his interests. And kids change their minds a lot :)</p>
<p>The more I think about it, the more UVM comes to mind. Mountains and lake nearby. Lots of snowballs!</p>
<p>yep, I changed my major twice in college. Heck, I even changed colleges within the university from engineering to arts&sciences. I could see him in astronomy, maybe physics. He does not like biology for some reason, though I am sure he’ll have to take some as a geology major. He did everything in his power to avoid it in high school (took a semester’s worth in the summer at our local tech high school. There’s a thread on that here somewhere.)</p>
<p>Physics and astronomy are other subjects where carefully checking the faculty rosters and course offerings would be worth doing, particularly for smaller schools. These are not that popular majors, so there may be insufficient demand for a department large enough to offer the full set of advanced physics courses more often than once every two years.</p>
<p>I suspecting math might be another major option. I am thinking that one is safer than the less common sciences I have mentioned previously. I am actually surprised that some of the larger schools don’t have Geology (I am talking about you, Northeastern!)</p>
<p>Colby College has geology, plus environmental science. </p>
<p>I second Montana as an option; we toured U of Montana campus and it’s small, plenty snow for snowball fights, and Missoula is a great college town. Montana and Montana State (in Bozeman, another good option) are very OOS-student friendly, lots of kids from the northeast study there. (I once saw a car full of young women arrive on Montana State campus with a sign on their car ‘Montana or Bust!’. Their license plates were from Rhode Island.) Plus, Montana State (and I would imagine UofM) do give merit aid to OOS students for grades and/or test scores.</p>
<p>Thank you – I don’t know that much about Colby. I know more about Bates and Bowdoin somehow. I will definitely look into it.</p>
<p>Oh, I do love Montana. It is one of our favorite vacation spots as a family, and I might even want to retire there. Bozeman is a nice town, and I really recommend the natural history museum (which I think is affiliated with Montana State). But no, I am afraid that is too far and too hard to get to. In fact, I’d rather stick to the Eastern Time zone if not within one day’s driving distance there and back.</p>
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<p>How advanced is the student in math? Very advanced students (the ones completing college math beyond the calculus BC level while in high school) need to be more careful about making sure that the college has suitable math offerings for them (such very advanced students are more likely to be ready for and interested in taking graduate level math courses as undergraduates).</p>
<p>Williams has an excellent geosciences program, plus excellent environmental science, math and physics and very good astronomy. Because of its rural, mountain location field study opportunities are readily available. Double majors are common.</p>
<p>Your son’s eventual GPA and scores may or may not put him in Williams’ ballpark, but his ECs, especially band, will be a plus. The prevailing campus culture emphasizes athletics and outdoorsy activities but not necessarily varsity team sports. Plenty of snowball fights, tobogganing and broomball. An active and engaged hiking and backpacking community.</p>
<p>Hamilton also has a very strong geosciences program, notably doing interesting work in Anarctica. The environment is similar to Williams.</p>
<p>Perhaps Oberlin may be worth a look if LACs or small schools are desired. It has a geology department with 6 of its own faculty (plus 3 visitors currently), and one of the better physics departments among LACs (most junior/senior courses are offered every year, rather than every two years). A few astronomy electives are also offered.</p>
<p>It is about 24 miles from Cleveland airport.</p>
<p>Clark University in Worcester has a well-developed Environmental Science Department, offering majors in Environmental Science with either a Biology or Policy track. They have a helpful section on careers for students interested in Environmental Science, and also offer a M.S. (as well as an accelerated B.S./M.S.). Clark has a program where students can stay for a 5th year tuition-free. It has a very laid-back, friendly student body and is accepting of a wide variety of students. </p>
<p>These are all great suggestions! (I have heard great things about Clark^) I guess we need to see about how junior year grades shake out. But even if he finishes with excellent grades this year, I think he has the sort of temperament that would benefit from a not super competitive atmosphere. So I am thinking not ivy or top ranked LAC, though maybe he’d be fine.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus He is a strong math student – it is his best class – but is not super advanced. He will be in AB calc next year. (His brother, who had a tough year in math junior year of high school, is a math and econ major, doing very well with interest in statistics and modeling for sports. It goes to show me how the bane of your existence can turn into your passion. )</p>
<p>What do you all know about Skidmore? I don’t know much but I don’t think it has been mentioned. Might it fit his interests both academic and extracurricular?</p>
<p>I included Skidmore back on page 1 in the upstate NY part of my list 
The kids I know who have gone there love it: they are into dance, music or art. Hobard William Smith was another one in NY state, among others. It’s in Geneva.</p>
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<p>You and he may want to investigate the prevalence of partying and alcohol at each school, particularly small rural northeastern schools. <a href=“http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/niaaacollegematerials/panel01/highrisk_05.aspx”>http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/niaaacollegematerials/panel01/highrisk_05.aspx</a> indicates that drinking tends to be greater at such schools, so he may want to check that there are things to do that do not involve drunken partying. Many of them also have low black and Asian enrollment (black and Asian people tend to drink less).</p>
<p>I know Middlebury College would hit the first 3 on his list and probably number 4 too. Pricey and I think difficult to get into if that’s a concern.</p>
<p>Skidmore’s Environmental Science degree is a B.A., whereas Clark is a B.S. When comparing Arts versus Sciences degrees for DS2, we found ourselves doing a lot of modeling of four year curriculum plans to understand the differences. </p>
<p>Clark is a research university, offering some M.S. and Ph.D.s, versus Skidmore, which is a LAC. Skidmore has a beautiful campus in Saratoga Springs, NY, a safe, small city. I don’t have to tell you that Worcester is often a drawback for those considering Clark, although I personally didn’t find that a problem. Both schools would be well worth visiting, which hopefully you can do in the Spring of your son’s junior year.</p>
<p>Clark has one of the best “town and gown” relatiionships of any school anywhere. We were very impressed with the many things Clark does for the community. Every one of my kids looked at Clark. Clark also has merit scholarships. (Clark is one of the Colleges That Change Lives by the way.)</p>
<p>Compmom sorry I didn’t see Skidmore on your first list! I do think he leans more to geology than environmental science. He will hopefully have the opportunity to take both an environmental science and an advanced earth science elective next year. They are offered at his high school, but very popular, so hopefully he gets a spot in those classes.</p>
<p>Worcester does not bother me. </p>