I am in a dilema where I don’t know whether to choose Appalachian or NC State. At App I would be going for Biology, and I wanted to minor in evolutionary anthropology., but on the other hand at NC State I would be going for Zoology and minor in evolutionary biology. I want to become a primate reseracher, and would like to know how good both schools are. Which program do you think will help me grow , and if anyone here actually attends either of these schools please give me some insight. I like the enviornment of both campuses so location is not an issue.
You’ll need a PhD for a career in primatology, and you can get into a good PhD program from either school. You’ll have to decide whether you prefer the more undergraduate-centric education at App or the wider variety of courses at NC State.
I’m a bit biased (I’ve taught field biology at App), but App is a great choice for an undergrad studying organismal biology. App has relatively few master’s students and no PhD students in biology, which means undergrads get most of the faculty attention. There’s plenty of good opportunities for field research since the NC mountains have so much biodiversity.
NC State has a much broader array of majors and courses in the biological sciences, but it also has many more undergraduate biology majors and MS/PhD students. State’s zoology program is exceptionally strong, so if you’re sure that’s what you want to study, there’s arguably nowhere better for a NC resident.
As a student at NC State, you’d be relatively close to the Duke primate center, which offers undergraduate research/volunteer opportunities. Duke’s primate center is one of only a handful in the US, and it’s unique in focusing on primate ecology rather than medicine. Additionally, NC State students are allowed to take courses at Duke, though very few take advantage of the consortium since it’s much easier to travel between Duke and UNC than between Duke and NC State.
Have you already applied to both and been admitted to both? Are you starting in January, in the summer, or in September? If you aren’t starting until September, you don’t need to decide until next spring. It is OK to wait and decide then.
Which place would you prefer to be if your major changes?
I am starting in September, I have applied to both, and I was accepted at APP, but won’t know about NCSU until December.
I really like your answer. I have not been accepted to NCSU yet, and I will not get a decision until December 1st. I already got accepted to APP for the spring. If i get into NCSU I think that is where I would like to attend, if not then APP is a solid back up choice.
@Jvilleda17 you have already received notification form APP ? I thought they didn’t admit until Dec/Jan?
I think for students enrolling for Spring 2020 session, the app deadline and notification deadlines are different than for Fall 2020 enrollees.