Paleontology and Biology Schools

College Search & Selection
1

Hey everyone! I’m an Oregon high school student about to graduate and have always had a fascination in paleontology, specifically dinosaurs and Mesozoic life in general. I have talked to many paleontologists about where to start, like Scott Sampson, Thomas Holtz, and Brian Switeck. The most helpful was definitely Mr. Switeck. He basically gave me the run down of the different types of paleontology, geology (the “read the rocks” road), biology (understanding the actual prehistoric life), and physical anthropology (bones are bones). I’m definitely interested in the biological part of paleontology, particularly zoology, evolution, and ecology and would love to have paleontology as my undergraduate program. I would love to go to attend schools in the Western and Rocky Mountain States (Oregon, Montana, Colorado, South Dakota, etc.) and Canada.

Another interest of mine is scientific illustration. Possibly a minor in this would be perfect for me. I’ve been drawing my entire life, but “regular” art just doesn’t do it for me. I just love the technicality of it and I’m not interested in the “expressing yourself” part of regular art.

The main school I’m focused on right now is Montana State in Bozeman. The paleontolgy program is mainly focused on the geology of paleontology, but they said I could do the paleontology option through biology, or vice versa. I was especially intrigued because of the Museum of the Rockies Museum that’s a just a short walk from the campus. This school seems absolutely perfect for me, but I was wondering if there was a better match for me.

My GPA is around a 3.4. Since my final year of high school isn’t yet completed, I’m going to post my predicted classes I would have taken:
4 credits of math (geometry, algebra 2, IB trig 1 & 2)
4 credits of science (physics, STEM chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology)
3.5 credits of social studies (world history 1 & 2, American history, debate class)
5 credits of literature (freshman lit, sophomore lit, junior lit, American lit, IB film 2, writing 121)

I’ve also been in clubs such as the Gay Straight Alliance and Model United Nations, and am going to be president of my own club next year, the Cryptozooly Club.

I really hopes this helps and thanks to everyone who took time out of their day to help me with this!

2

I know that U of Washington offers a certificate in Scientific Illustration but I’m not sure what they offer in Paleontology. You might want to check it out.

3

Penn State has a Paleontology major and biology. go check it out!

4

“I was wondering if there was a much better match for me”

If you would like to specialize early, then I think you are looking at a really good school for you, particularly if you would like to study on the edge of Laramidia.

Your options would be broader if you wanted to get an undergraduate grounding in geology, biology, anthropology and art before going on to graduate study in paleontology. This would perhaps be the more classical route for a future specialist, but certainly not the only one.