Warm weather school with good environmental science program?

College Search & Selection
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<p>My daughter is a high school junior and is trying to make a list of colleges she's interested in. Can anybody tell me if we're missing some that might be a good fit?</p>

<p>Her criteria for a school:</p>

<p>--Located someplace relatively warm (We live in New England and she wants to escape the harsh winters.)
--Preferably a suburban or rural campus (not too urban and busy)
--Preferably not too big, although she's flexible on this
--Strong environmental science program; this is very important
--Strong study abroad program; also very important
--A culture where she won't feel uncomfortable as an atheist Democrat from the north (in other words, not too "Bible belt southern conservative")
--Not a "party school" but not a really intense academic school either</p>

<p>Our EFC is too high to qualify for need-based aid. Although we would <em>consider</em> paying full price just about anywhere, we'd like very much to keep the cost per year under 40K, either through merit aid, or by having her attend a state school. </p>

<p>We don't care much about the "prestige" of the school, but I do want to find a place where she'll be academically challenged. She's a smart, conscientious, good student, although not at the very top of the heap, and I don't want her to be bored or be surrounded by kids who don't take academics very seriously.</p>

<p>Her stats:</p>

<p>--About a 3.8 weighted GPA at a challenging private high school. I don't know what her unweighted GPA would be, but in her core academic classes, she tends to maintain a B+/A- average. The school doesn't rank, but I estimate she's in at least the top 15% of the class. Lots of honors classes. One AP class this year and probably two her senior year. Almost the "most challenging curriculum available" but not quite.</p>

<p>--Pretty good ECs, including in-depth and sustained involvement in band and drama, a part-time job, and some international travel to work with underprivileged kids. Nothing really outstanding or unusual, though.</p>

<p>--She hasn't taken the SAT or ACT yet, but based on her PSAT scores this year and last, plus her historical performance on standardized tests, I would predict that she'll get around a 2000 combined score on the three parts of the SAT.</p>

<p>So far, her first choice is Elon and we plan to visit there in the spring. She's also considering Furman and Tulane, although we're not too happy about the cost of those schools. (I know they offer merit aid, but I don't think she has the stats to get much.)</p>

<p>She's also looking at UNC Asheville and Eckerd, based on their reputations as having strong environmental science programs, but I'm worried that they wouldn't be academically challenging enough. </p>

<p>She is considering UConn only because I'm making her apply to one school near home. </p>

<p>She won't even talk about a women-only college. </p>

<p>She looked at the College of William and Mary, but rejected it as "too academically intense" (plus I think she'd have a hard time getting in as an OOS applicant).</p>

<p>What schools are we overlooking?</p>

<p>Thanks so much for any ideas!</p>

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<p><a href=“http://www.stetson.edu/academics/programs/97.php[/url]”>http://www.stetson.edu/academics/programs/97.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Stetson University (FL) </p>

<p>I believe it is listed in Princeton Review’s “Best 373”.<br>
I know this PR book inside & out as my H always insists that everybody’s school is in this book! Fortunately, all 4 children’s schools are in here & ours, too! :)</p>

<p>He doesn’t care about USNWR’s Rankings! But “Is it in this book?”</p>

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<p>It’s going to be hard to find one place that has everything you’re looking for—there’ll be some trade-offs, I think…</p>

<p>Anyway, here are a few to consider:
Oregon State U [Environmental</a> Sciences at Oregon State University | Environmental Sciences](<a href=“http://envsci.science.oregonstate.edu/]Environmental”>http://envsci.science.oregonstate.edu/)</p>

<p>Odum School of Ecology at U Georgia
[University</a> of Georgia: School of Ecology](<a href=“http://www.ecology.uga.edu/]University”>http://www.ecology.uga.edu/)</p>

<p>Huxley College of the Environment/Western Washington U.
[Huxley</a> College of the Environment](<a href=“Home | College of the Environment | Western Washington University”>Home | College of the Environment | Western Washington University)</p>

<p>The 2 schools in the NW aren’t warm weather like the South, but the region isn’t cold like New England or the Midwest, either (unless you head to the mountains). </p>

<p>One thing that I would advise for students who are looking for environmental sciences/studies programs is to check out the colleges of agriculture/natural resources at the land grant universities. I think a lot of students tend to overlook the wide range of environmental science majors at these colleges. In other words, they’re not just for farmers and foresters anymore. Three of the best examples of this are the U Illinois, U Minnesota, and Colorado State, though they’re in climate regions your daughter is trying to escape.
[Department</a> of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign](<a href=“http://nres.illinois.edu/]Department”>http://nres.illinois.edu/)
[U&lt;/a&gt; of M: Environmental Sciences, Policy, Management](<a href=“http://www.espm.umn.edu/]U”>http://www.espm.umn.edu/)
[School</a> of Global Environmental Sustainability at Colorado State University - Home Feature 1 | home](<a href=“http://soges.colostate.edu/]School”>http://soges.colostate.edu/)</p>

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<p>I think she has a great list so far! Elon, UNCA, Furman, Tulane, and Eckerd are certainly some of the schools that come to mind, and zapfino’s suggestion of UGA was a good one.</p>

<p>A few more:

[ul][<em>]Rhodes is well worth a look. Suburban location within a moderately sized city. Very strong sciences, great research opportunities, very good financial/merit aid.
[</em>]Hood College in Maryland has a very nice reputation in environmental science (particularly marine science) and might make a decent safety.
[<em>]If colleges in the PNW work (per zapfino’s post), Whitman and Lewis & Clark would definitely be worth a look. Possibly UPS and Willamette as well.
[</em>]Clemson, the College of Charleston, and NCF are larger schools with great environmental science programs.[/ul]</p>

5

<p>She might investigate Trinity University in San Antonio. They currently offer only a minor in Environmental Studies, but are developing a major, and the Geosciences there offer a lot as well. Perhaps the major will be in place in time for your D.</p>

<p>The weather is definitely nice, the campus is pretty, and I really can’t say enough about the Study Abroad opportunities the kids can get through TU.</p>

<p>UG enrollment ~2500, plus about 200 total in 5 small grad programs. The new Science Center is well into construction.</p>

<p>Mid 50% SAT is 1210-1390, Writing not counted, as of now. ACT mid 50% 27-3.1</p>

<p>Generous with merit, and the COA this year is ~$42,000.</p>

<p>We are from the Midwest, and it has been great for my daughter to escape winters. SA has over 300 days of sunshine each year. Winter gear for D down there is hoodies.</p>

6

<p>UNC Asheville’s getting more academically challenging all the time, and it’s hard to beat the price. My National Merit Semifinalist son has been accepted there and is seriously considering it. Check out the reviews at Students Review dot com – first two words all run together. UNC Asheville does get a few crummy student reviews but most are very positive.</p>

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<p>LOL, well, you’ll definitely wear something warmer than hoodies during winters at UNC Asheville. But it’s still a ton more temperate than New England. Former Bostonian here, now Carolinian. Would NEVER go back to live in the frozen North!</p>

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<p>University of Miami?</p>

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<p>Thanks so much. You all have given us a bunch of schools to investigate that we hadn’t thought of. I really appreciate it!!</p>

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<p>I had to same criteria when I was looking at schools my junior year and I was looking at Clemson, Elon, Duke, and University of Richmond. I would strongly suggest looking at Richmond. The abroad program is amazing, the campus feels small and together, but when you leave the campus the city of Richmond is there. The professors care about their jobs. I’m a senior this year that decided I wanted to stay closer to home (NH), but otherwise I would have applied to these schools.</p>

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<p>Other than the fact it’s a big school, UC Davis meets all her criteria:</p>

<p>[UC</a> Davis: Environmental Science and Policy Home page](<a href=“http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/]UC”>http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/)</p>

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<p>UC Davis and esp UCSB would be great and get kids into great grad programs in that area, but OOS cost may be tough.</p>

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<p>Take a look at Clemson! I’m a student there so let me know if you have any questions! I’ll try and address some of your criterias below:</p>

<p>–Located someplace relatively warm (We live in New England and she wants to escape the harsh winters.)</p>

<p>Clemson: Definitely fits. I was wearing shorts through November. It got down to the 30s and teens at night but its warm other than the winter months. During the summer/spring it can get as warm as 80s/90s!</p>

<p>–Preferably a suburban or rural campus (not too urban and busy)</p>

<p>Clemson: It’s located in the middle of nowhere so definitely a rural campus.</p>

<p>–Preferably not too big, although she’s flexible on this</p>

<p>Clemson: It’s relatively small for a public university. Our enrollment is 14,371 full time undergraduate students (as of fall 2009) and 2,486 full time graduate students.</p>

<p>–Strong environmental science program; this is very important</p>

<p>Clemson: Founded on Thomas Green Clemson’s vision for a school to educate people in the sciences, agriculture and engineering, these programs are the most valued and strongest here. I really don’t know much about the environmental science program but if you come here you’ll get a solid education. You can get more information on the program here: [Environmental</a> Natural Resources : College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences : Clemson University](<a href=“Page not found”>Page not found)</p>

<p>–Strong study abroad program; also very important</p>

<p>Clemson: Again as an engineering major, I’m not sure about the College of Forestry and Agriculture but they have really been pushing the study abroad program in the College of Engineering and Science and it’s been getting extra emphasis. I always get emails about study abroad information sessions and it seems like it’s something they want people to participate in. If you want to take a look at some of the programs look here: [Study</a> Abroad : Clemson University](<a href=“Welcome to Pam Hendrix Center for Education Abroad | Clemson University, South Carolina”>Welcome to Pam Hendrix Center for Education Abroad | Clemson University, South Carolina)</p>

<p>–A culture where she won’t feel uncomfortable as an atheist Democrat from the north (in other words, not too “Bible belt southern conservative”)</p>

<p>Clemson: Well it’s hard to comment about this. I guess it’s really about the people you encounter. As a relatively liberal leaning christian, I’ve managed to fit in because I tend to avoid political talk and I’m religious which helps. I know plenty of liberals and athiests who are also happy at Clemson. However, some people have not been happy and have considered people “ignorant” and have transferred. I’ll say this, it’s possible to feel comfortable as an athiest democrat from the north but it is also possible to feel uncomfortable. I can’t really speak which person you will be (sorry if this wasn’t very helpful haha)</p>

<p>–Not a “party school” but not a really intense academic school either</p>

<p>Clemson: I think there’s a good mix at Clemson. I think it’s a typical college where you can be a part of the party scene (and there will be opportunities to do that Thursday-Sunday and sometimes even every day of the week) but also can withdraw from it if you don’t. It’s college and it’s up to you to manage work and play and decide when to focus on academics. I’ve never seen Clemson labeled as a “party school”. I would say that it isn’t an intense academic school but there’s a good bit of social life.</p>

<p>A couple other resources that might be helpful:
Request information about the college of agriculture - CAFLS (the college where the environmental & natural resources major is located): [Request</a> Information : College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences : Clemson University](<a href=“Page not found”>Page not found)</p>

<p>If you’re interested in visiting, CAFLS has several special visit options: [Visit</a> Us : College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences : Clemson University](<a href=“Page not found”>Page not found)</p>

<p>Other helpful links: [Freshman</a> : College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences : Clemson University](<a href=“Page not found”>Page not found)</p>

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<p>Thanks very much, Pierre, for all the information about Clemson. We had taken it off of our list, but based on your input, we might add it back.</p>

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<p>When I read though your post, Eckerd seemed perfect for your D. Glad to hear it’s on your short list.</p>

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