Ideas for great marine science/biology programs in the Mid-Atlantic or Southeast that offer good merit for OOS
There’s pretty much no information here to allow anyone to guide you. Perhaps do a match me thread instead, and fill out all the information? (Stats, classes, rigor, accomplishments, budget, etc).
My daughter is a sophomore in HS. Just trying to get an idea of whats out there. Of course we have done thorough Google searches on the best programs but wasnt sure if people had ideas on colleges that give good merit. So there is really nothing to add. Ive given the geographical location, the major, and a request of schools known to provide good merit for OOS.
My sister is at Coastal Carolina…she has friends that are marine bio majors. We are oos and I know for her merit she gets 25% off tuition. She was like an 88/89 average in high school.
1 Like
@fiftyfifty1 has a great thread on schools that provide merit aid but unfortunately I can’t find it. Most schools with big merit are in the south.
2 Likes
Thank you, Coastal is on her list! Thats good to hear!
Eckerd.
1 Like
Probably not much merit, but William and Mary is a great school for this. Otherwise, I second the suggestion of Eckerd.
1 Like
W&M is too close to where we live, my daughter wants to go away but thank you. Also they dont have a Marine Biology major. How good is the merit at Eckerd? Its insanely expensive. Thanks.
You should look at schools with environmental science/studies majors as well, and straight-up biology majors, because sometimes the marine science/biology track is housed in those majors (William and Mary might be an example of this - I know it has fantastic opportunities for marine science, whether there’s a stand-alone major or not – which is neither here nor there, because W&M is not on your list). Along those lines, you should look for schools that have (or have access to) coastal research facilities, because if they do, then it’s likely that they’ll have faculty who teach marine science, even if they don’t have a separate major.
I only know about Eckerd from what others have said. I don’t know specifically about the merit aid, but I was under the impression that it was pretty good. This information suggests there are a lot of merit scholarships: Types of Aid - Admissions | Eckerd College
3 Likes
As a suggestion with a lower standard cost than Eckerd, look into Stony Brook, which also offers merit scholarships.
2 Likes
CNU, Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston. Delawsre, FAU, Florida Tech., Salisbury. Stetson, Southern Miss, South Alabama.
All will have merit…be reasonable OOS for the right stats (some are private so OOS doesn’t matter).
Helps to know a budget. If it’s super small some might be over budget.
Here’s a list of marine bio programs. Likely more but food for thought.
2 Likes
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
3 Likes
Thanks. Not sure of budget. My oldest is a senior now and this process is mentally taxing. Waiting to see how things play out and I have a younger child as well. Basically looking for a good program… my daughter loves USC the most so far. Shes gone on many campus tours with her senior brother. But as Im learning, people shop for merit and trying to figure out some schools she should apply to that would offer healthy merit.
There are auto merit schools - hit this x gpa and get x $$. Why Alabama is such a popular choice. A U of SC is variable $. A W Carolina is heavily discounted $20k all in.
You need a figure and you build around that.
You are early but when the time comes.
You find an assured to meet budget and some that can meet. You don’t choose any that won’t meet.
1 Like
Thank you, I hadnt heard of St. Marys, looks like a great option.
1 Like
Maryland’s public Honors college.
Honestly we wont ever set a budget per se. We will contribute what we can and our kids will have loans for the rest. Just trying to find a good fit, a good program, and schools more likely to offer merit so we can leave her with the lowest loans we can. She wont go to school more than a certain distance from the water, she said it doesnt make sense if she’s choosing a major studying marine life.
Agree with the latter.
Not the former although that’s a personal choice.
No reason to take loans if you don’t need them - especially in a field that will require grad school (more money) or lead to a low paying job.
But again - that’s a personal choice.
A budget should be the first thing every family has. We are full pay but still set a budget much less than full pay.
But you are early.
If your student gets great grades and a great test there will be options - hopefully loan free.
Well I have 3 children back to back to back. My oldest starts college in the fall. No one in this house will be loan free unless they get full rides. Hence, asking about schools more likely to give merit.
1 Like