11th grade girl, loves the ocean & very strong in the sciences (35 on science ACT)
grew up in Florida on the water but now lives in the NC mountains.
High school is a small independent school w/ good support
Not sure about weighted GPA yet but has had 4 honors level courses so far
taking AP env sci, AP chem & honors English next year as well as other ‘regular’ courses
2e, quirky and outdoorsy w/ ADHD.
Participated in a semester abroad focusing on marine bio and loved it.
No cost constraints
WANTS:
a small school preferably outside of NC but in the Midwest or on the east coast
small class sizes
good undergrad research opportunities
SO FAR LOVES:
Eckerd
College of the Atlantic
Considering a reach application to Colorado College b/c of the block plan - I think it would be really good for her to focus only on one class & Carleton because I hear they have a strong Env Sci program.
UNC Wilmington & UVM seemed too big for her but are probably the closest other schools she has considered.
Anything else we are missing? She is also seriously considering a gap year but wants to apply and decide first.
William & Mary would be a really good fit for someone who has an interest in marine biology. The VA Institute of Marine Science is a leader in the field and is part of W&M. I did field research there and was totally impressed.
William and Mary doesn’t currently offer a marine science major (just a minor), but they are in the process of getting state approval for a bachelor’s degree. William and Mary is a great fit for a quirky 2e kid, but would be a far reach for an out of state student with a 3.4/31 ACT.
Speaking from personal experience in the field, you can major in environmental science or bio and “specialize” in marine science via coursework at W&M, including doing undergrad research at VIMS. As an undergrad I did this, and after my VIMS research experience was well-prepared for obtaining a job in the field immediately after graduation.
Yes, and that’s what many W&M students are currently doing. I was just trying to provide more information. By the time OP’s daughter enters college, there should be an option for a bachelor’s degree. The new program will have expanded course offerings and research opportunities including an immersive semester at VIMs during the junior year.
St. Mary’s of Maryland? Public LAC with 1500 undergrads, lovely coastal location. Median stats are incrementally higher than Eckerd’s, but acceptance rate is also higher than Eckerd’s - your D’s stats are comfortably in range and could even get her some merit $. (And OOS full pay cost is under 50K) Marine Science Environmental Studies
Also… some kids with your D’s profile would thrive at one of the maritime academies. (It isn’t actual military - no service obligation) There’s a young woman in my extended family who had a phenomenal experience studying marine bio at Maine Maritime. Marine Biology Coastal Environmental Science Oceanography
Likewise, there’s Mass Maritime and SUNY Maritime. All are small, with lots of individual attention. At SUNY Maritime and Mass Maritime, all students are cadets in the regiment and wear uniforms, but at Maine Maritime, being in the regiment is optional.
For a reachier coastal school, Conn College could be worth a look. In addition to the marine emphasis available in the Biology, Botany, & Environmental Studies department, students can also cross-register at the Coast Guard Academy, less than half a mile away. Definitely a reach for her but not necessarily out of reach.
Oglethorpe in GA? Nice liberal arts school. Not sure about the marine science program, but may be good for a quirky 2e kid. I feel like a lot of the schools previously mentioned are very mainstream, and as a 2e kid myself schools like CofC or Tampa were never in consideration.
St Mary’s College of Maryland checks all of those boxes. Tons of undergrad research, small class size, marine science, honors college, and they’ll give good merit. We know a kid going.
Not East Coast but you should definitely take a look at Texas A&M Galveston. About 2500 students and the entire school is dedicated to Marine Studies and has tremendous resources as it is considered an Auxiliary of the College Station campus (you even can get football tickets and an Aggie Ring). Large Marine Biology and Marine and Coastal Environmental Science Departments with a broad variety of majors and specialties (for instance you can have a Diving Minor) and is a research monster. The Sea Turtle Research center there is pretty awesome. Outstanding faculty as well.
Take a look at Juniata College. It’s not on the coast but has a lakeside field station and a track in “aquatic sciences.” Environmental sciences is a real stand out program there. My “2e, quirky and outdoorsy w/ ADHD” daughter has found it a good fit.
Roger Williams University in Rhode Island is one option to consider. If you want to go a bit further north and quite a bit further east, Acadia University in Nova Scotia is very good for both environmental sciences and biology, and has a marine biology concentration that is available for biology majors. It is reasonably priced for international students (note the exchange rate), and is located right on the Bay of Fundy (or at least is twice a day at high tide). Both Roger Williams and Acadia have just over 4,000 students so the size might be about right.
UNH has a good marine biology program. UVM is good for environmental sciences (one daughter was briefly an environmental sciences major there until she changed her major). Both are however bigger than it sounds like you are looking for.
I also agree with considering the College of the Atlantic, and the University of Maine.