UNCW vs. UMiami for marine biology?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of North Carolina - Wilmington
1

<p>Ok, I know this forum's a bit dead, but I figure I'll give this a shot. Ok, so, for the longest time I've been looking at UMiami for marine biology. It's been my dream school for the past few months now. But I've also been looking at UNC Wilmington, mostly based on cost. I've been saying that UNCW is where I will go if UMiami doesn't give me enough money for me to afford it. But my girlfriend just visited UNCW (she's also interested in marine biology) and she said it was absolutely amazing, she really loved it. So, I was wondering what other people think.</p>

2

<p>I don’t think you can make a wrong choice here, as both schools are excellent for Marine Biology. However, if cost is a huge issue, and you end up with a lot of debt, then I’d lean towards UNCW which seems to be the less expensive school. Also, are you an undergrad or grad student? That could make a huge difference. I say that because Marine Biology is more of a graduate field of study, so it might be better if you major in a general science (if you’re an undergrad that is).</p>

<p>One of the advantages that UNCW has is that it’s one of the few NC colleges that offers a marine bio major. As such, it gets a lot of [government</a> grants/funding](<a href=“http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090720/ARTICLES/907209958]government”>http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090720/ARTICLES/907209958). Also, Marine Biology is one of UNCW’s highest rated fields, so the university takes a lot of pride in that and [spends</a> more funding for the marine bio program](<a href=“http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20100701/ARTICLES/100709999/-1/opinion?Title=Bonds-approved-to-fund-new-UNCW-marine-sciences-building]spends”>http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20100701/ARTICLES/100709999/-1/opinion?Title=Bonds-approved-to-fund-new-UNCW-marine-sciences-building) than almost any other field of study. In fact, I’m sure that Marine Biology is the only program at UNCW that awards PhDs.</p>

<p>As for UNCW itself, it’s a great, picturesque college. It’s located in the great city of Wilmington, and it’s near some of the best beaches on the East Coast. Another advantage that UNCW has is that it runs [the</a> world’s only undersea research laboratory (Aquarius)](<a href=“http://aquarius.uncw.edu/]the”>http://aquarius.uncw.edu/) off the coast of Florida.</p>

<p>Here’s a post that’s worth reading from warblersrule86 (who’s very informed about marine bio).

</p>

<p>Here are some other threads worth reading that might help:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/238909-unc-wilmington-info-marine-bio-2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/238909-unc-wilmington-info-marine-bio-2.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/92499-what-10-best-marine-biology-departments-2.html?highlight=marine+biology+ranking[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/92499-what-10-best-marine-biology-departments-2.html?highlight=marine+biology+ranking&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I hope that helps…and yeah, the UNCW forum isn’t as large as other school’s forums, so it might seem inactive, but I’ll try to make sure it sees some activity.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the response. I’ve been told a lot about not specializing during undergrad, but I do plan on a double major most likely if I go to UNCW, and if I go to UMiami a double major is required. I’ve been saying marine biology since I was 6 years old, and that hasn’t changed. And yes, I realize it’s not as glamorous as most people would think, but I’m interested in all realms of marine biology, not just dolphins and fishes. I do appreciate you bringing this up though, as a lot of other people my age are probably gonna get stuck in marine biology that they don’t want to do. So thanks! Oh, and I do plan on getting at meast a masters, probably a PhD in marine biology.</p>

4

<p>^That’s good to hear. It seems like you have things figured out. Well, go with where you heart is set. In either case, I wish you the best. I hope you chose UNCW. :)</p>

5

<p>Haha, well, I’m going into my junior year, so I still have a bit of time. I will probably start doing college visits sometime around spring next year.</p>

6

<p>I’d definitely vote for UNCW as well - great marine bio program that one of my best friends did and as a bonus, it’s ranked as one of the top in the nation so really looks good on a resume :)</p>

7

<p>I am not even out of high school and am busy trying to find a school to go to for a year or 2 before going to an out of the country school so what is your advice because i am stuck between going strait for an abroad school and staying here for a few years just to get my associates and get that out of the way first</p>