I’m having a really hard time choosing colleges to apply to. I want to pick something that would be a good fit for me, but I’m not sure what that would be!
I want to major in biology, and have strong interest in organismal biology, microbiology, marine biology, and environmental science.
What I want from a school is a strong program in biology that allows for some flexibility and has a wide range of classes offered. Customizable specializations are a plus. I’d like a medium or small school, but that doesn’t matter to me quite as much. I’d like the student body to be generally more liberal (but not too crazy left wing), and religious colleges are a no go for me.
I’d prefer colleges either in the northeast or the northwest, and proximity to large bodies of water are a plus. I’m also open to colleges in Canada (assuming I can get a scholarship). Also diversity in a school is another plus. Feel free to ask questions if you need clarification on anything or additional info! Thank you!
What is your home state? What is your unweighted GPA? What are your test scores? What is your family’s financial situation?
My home state is WA, GPA is currently a 3.85 and I’m a dual enrollment student. I’ve been exclusively taking college classes since junior year. I don’t know my test scores, I haven’t gotten them yet, but let’s assume I have something around a 1300 SAT score. My family is upper middle class, but I’d defiantly need scholarships for out of state schools.
St Mary’s College Of Maryland might fit — it isn’t religious, and is a public Maryland university. On the water, has a sort of summer campy feel. OOS, but not as expensive as flagships.
College in Canada is probably going to be cheaper than any OOS college.
Google WUE schools — you’d get tuition at 150% of the instate rate at those.
Are you female? There may be some colleges with merit for you if you’re female and if you apply to test optional schools.
Simmons is in Boston http://www.simmons.edu/academics/schools-departments/biology
Coed school – New college of Florida is not in the northeast, but it’s right on the ocean, and offers OOS tuition help for freshman
I think that Colby just went test optional. That school offers marine bio research center. http://www.colby.edu/bigelowprogram/
also look at U of Maine at orono – it has tons of the sciences that you’re looking at and currently offers in-state flagship tuition matching scholarships. Maine is gorgeous and the ocean is about 30 minutes away. The school is the size of a large LAC even though it’s the flagship public. Also it’s a very pretty campus. https://go.umaine.edu/
St. Mary’s of MD – I’m not sure what OOS tuition would be but they may offer merit. Check that out. It’s located on the Chesapeake Bay and has sailing etc. Marine sciences. Not at all religious. The name is the same as the county it’s located in.