Selective Environmental Science Colleges

College Search & Selection
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<p>So I'm looking for colleges with strong programs in Environmental Science, Ecology, Sustainability, Plant Biology etc. However, it seems like all the colleges with strong programs in this area have very low test score averages and acceptance rates upwards of 75%. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against these colleges and will definitely apply! But I am also looking for some colleges that are more selective to apply to as well. </p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 UW, 4.4 W
SAT: 2110 (660 CR, 700 M, 750 W) from sophomore year, will retake.</p>

<p>So does anyone know of some selective LACs with decent envi sci programs?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>[environmental</a> studies | St. Lawrence University Academics](<a href=“http://www.stlawu.edu/academics/programs/environmental-studies]environmental”>Environmental Studies | St. Lawrence University) </p>

<p>St Lawrence University (NY) </p>

<p>Best of luck in your search!</p>

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<p>Oberlin
[Overview</a> - Oberlin College](<a href=“http://new.oberlin.edu/arts-and-sciences/departments/environment/index.dot]Overview”>http://new.oberlin.edu/arts-and-sciences/departments/environment/index.dot)</p>

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<p>carojasmine- there are numerous threads on this topic. Suggest you search thread titles on “environmental”</p>

<p>Many schools consider environmental studies and science as an interdepartmental or interdisciplinary major. And many env science programs are contained within “environmental studies” majors. One has to study those majors deeply to understand if an env science concentration under that major is possible (they usually have natutal/env sci and social sci concentrations).</p>

<p>Top schools in env studies (w/ env sci concentration) that immediately come to mind are Middlebury, Colgate, Dartmouth, Williams, the 5Cs (Pomona & CMC & others…‘env analysis’ program), Cornell’s (& Stanford’s) science of earth systems…the list goes on. Northwestern has a nice env science program. On the purer biology side of environmental, look at ecology & evolutionary biology departments, such as at Princeton. Many many possibilities out there.</p>

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<p>Brown, Colby, CMU, Colgate, Northeastern, RPI, Trinity (CT). U. Rochester, Villanova, Wellesley etc. etc.
Just use a college search engine like the one here on CC or College Navigator :slight_smile:
You can use search options to get selectivity.</p>

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<p>I agree with Papa Chicken that you have many great options. One thing that may help would be to look for colleges with good geology programs. Geology tends to be the most employable of the core sciences and can make an excellent combination with a second major or minor in environmental science. While most colleges have biology/chemistry/physics, even some very good colleges (e.g. Emory, Georgetown, CMU, etc.) don’t offer geology, so it could work as a limiting factor. </p>

<p>[Geoscience</a> Departments WWW Directory - US & Canada](<a href=“http://orgs.usd.edu/esci/geodepts.html]Geoscience”>http://orgs.usd.edu/esci/geodepts.html)
[Departments</a> of Earth and Ocean Sciences: Department Profiles](<a href=“http://eos.tufts.edu/resources/gradschools.htm]Departments”>http://eos.tufts.edu/resources/gradschools.htm)</p>

<p>Putting in a shameless plug for my alma mater, the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke is dedicated to environmental science, policy, and conservation and offers several great undergraduate programs. It’s ranked #2 for environmental policy (behind Indiana U) at the graduate level, and environmental science is also quite strong. Perhaps just as important, Duke practices what it preaches, and it’s regularly ranked by various organizations as one of the greenest colleges in the country.</p>

<p>[Undergraduate</a> Degrees - ENV and EOS | Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University](<a href=“http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/programs/undergrad/index.html]Undergraduate”>http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/programs/undergrad/index.html)</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15303775-post2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15303775-post2.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>[10</a> of the Greenest Colleges in America](<a href=“http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/10-greenest-colleges-460708]10”>10 of the Greenest Colleges in America - Colleges Going Green)
[Duke</a> Scores Big on Green College Reviews](<a href=“http://sustainability.duke.edu/news_events/items/2008_08_14GreenSchools.html]Duke”>http://sustainability.duke.edu/news_events/items/2008_08_14GreenSchools.html)</p>

<p>Bowdoin definitely deserves a shout out as well. I’ve always been extremely impressed by its emphasis on the environment, and its location is great for research.</p>

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<p>[Keck</a> Research Opportunities for Undergraduates | Keck Geology Consortium](<a href=“http://keckgeology.org/]Keck”>http://keckgeology.org/)</p>

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<p>I was in the same predicament a few months ago. Bowdoin, Colby, and Wesleyan all struck me as great options. Middlebury as well, particularly if you are interested in policy. Cornell is also a good option, if you can stand the crazy atmosphere and huge size.</p>

<p>I am now off to Bowdoin, and looking forward to studying the environment!</p>

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<p>Eckerd Colllege in St. Petersburg, Fl.</p>

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<p>Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. [Semester</a> in the West- Whitman College](<a href=“http://www.whitman.edu/academics/whitman-signature-programs/semester-in-the-west]Semester”>http://www.whitman.edu/academics/whitman-signature-programs/semester-in-the-west). A truly unique program.</p>

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<p>[McGill</a> School of Environment | McGill School of Environment - McGill University](<a href=“http://www.mcgill.ca/mse/]McGill”>Bieler School of Environment - McGill University)</p>

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<p>Following in warberlsrule’s footsteps, Michigan-Ann Arbor is #1 in Geology! ;)</p>

<p>[Earth</a> and Environmental Sciences | University of Michigan](<a href=“http://www.lsa.umich.edu/earth/]Earth”>Earth and Environmental Sciences | U-M LSA)</p>