<p>So I'm a rising senior who's interested in geology and when I asked for a recommendation, Carleton College came up. Given my <em>ahem</em> spotty high school performance, I won't be able to get in. However, it seems to produce more geology phDs than almost any other institution despite being a small school. So I was wondering how the school manages to do so well in that regard. Can anyone shed light on the way Carleton teaches geology, what opportunities undergrads have that students at other schools lack, etc? </p>
<p>The reason for this question is to identify less selective schools which teach the earth sciences like Carleton rather than in a way that doesn't encourage students to seek further study in the field. Thanks in advance for any replies!</p>
<p>I’m a geologist but didn’t attend Carleton so can’t address your question about how Carleton teaches geology. I know geologists who graduated from Carleton, however, and suspect that the answer is something like this: Carleton attracts highly motivated students. They recognize that they’ll have many more opportunities if they go to grad school. They get a master’s, and are still intrigued by some aspects of geology they want to pursue, so go on to get a PhD.</p>
<p>If you are interested in a less-selective LAC that has a good geology program, you may wish to look at University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. Many of their graduates go on to get PhDs.</p>
<p>This link Carleton does very well producing PhD compared to all other liberal arts colleges. Ironically, Reed does not let USnews rank them. They just won’t give the info to US news. This is admirable and something Carleton should strongly consider. This list gives a list of schools with the same emphasis on PhD production regardless of “rank”.</p>
<p>As for why so many Phd out of Carleton in the Sciences…</p>
<p>1.Culture: All your peers and friends get PhDs…I should get one too …also includes professor’s encouragement.
2.Comps…kinda is like a mini dissertation…gets students use to the frustrations of research.
3.Long standing relations with grad schools. Carls have done so well getting PhD historically…Carls are a good bet for grad schools.</p>
<p>Thanks! Those comps look really interesting. Do you know any other schools which offer geology and have something like the comps or a thesis option (College of Wooster is on my list).</p>
<p>It lists the top 10 earth science Ph.D. producers (so geology plus related sciences like atmospheric science and oceanography, since there is a lot of transfer among these), plus some peer schools that are similar to Earlham. Plug for Earlham: one of my good girlfriends just started as a visiting prof there, and she’s a badass so… You should look there!</p>
<p>For characteristics of a department that lead to a lot of advanced degrees, it’s research and culture. Do a senior research project whether it’s required or not… REU (research experiences for undergraduates) is a great program to fund field work no matter what school you end up at. I believe all of the schools I listed either require or strongly encourage a senior thesis, I’m less familiar with the others. As for culture, pick someplace where graduate school isn’t a weird choice. I’ll give an example from my experience.</p>
<p>Grad school hadn’t even crossed my mind. I come from a not-especially-academic family, and the only people is heard of going to school after college were doctors and lawyers. So, at the beginning of my senior year of college, my wonderful professor, Bereket, calls me into his office.
Bereket: So, what are you planning to do next year?
Me: Well I’m not sure yet Bereket, I’m still thinking about it.
Bereket: You are going to grad school.
Me: What?
Bereket: Grad school. You are going.
Me: Oh… Ok?</p>
<p>Turns out, that little kick in the ass was what I needed. I went and got a Ph.D. and now have a great job in my field. In a place without the right culture, I would have never gotten that. So, go to a LAC with a history of producing the degree you want.</p>
<p>I know this is over a year old at this point and @RocasArboles is presumably in college now but I’d be very curious about where you ended up. My son is now the senior, he’s looked at Carleton, Wooster, and Beloit, among others and plans to apply to all three despite his also spotty high school record. He’s also applying the Lawrence U in Wisconsin which is not well known for geology but has a department and he loves everything else about it. He’s also considering Earlham as a possible safety. So where are you now RocasArboles? </p>
…also includes professor’s encouragement.