-
Shoot for a 3.5+ for PhD programs.
-
Environmental science is tricky because it’s an interdisciplinary field, and sometimes the programs are ranked in different areas. The National Resource Council ranks [earth science PhD programs](NRC Rankings Overview: Earth Sciences), and there are some environmental science programs there. However, the best way to get an idea of reputation (and not necessarily hard numerical rankings) of programs in your area, especially in relation to your research interests, is to talk to your professors in your home department. Especially given that you are at a research university, your professors will be familiar with what departments are strong departments overall and are turning out good researchers that get jobs. Once you settle on an area, reading scientific journal articles in that area and noting where the professors who write them are teaching and doing research will also help.
But this is a bit premature now, because you’re a freshman and you don’t know what area you want to do research in.
- Research fit, research experience, letters of recommendation, and high grades overall and in your major are the most important factors for applications. Research fit is demonstrated through a statement of purpose you write as well as interviews in some cases. You want to make sure that your research interests align well with 2-3+ faculty members in the department, and that you can write about that articulately in your statement (and talk about it in interviews). Research experience you will get through assisting professors in your own department at A&M as well as summer research programs, potentially at other campuses. For now, pay attention in class and use the TAMU website for your department to look up what research your professors do. If any of them seem interesting, you may want to ask the professors if they are looking for research assistants and how you could go about joining their lab.
You also may want to poke around looking for summer research programs; the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs funded by NSF are the most well-known, but many universities and programs sponsor independent ones. An Internet search for “summer undergraduate research environmental science” can turn up a lot. These programs are usually funded - they’ll cover housing and food, plus give you a small living stipend (usually around $3,000 for the summer). I would try to do at least one at a different campus, and cultivate a relationship with a professor there who can write you a letter of recommendation. Having letters from more than institution can have a big impact on your application - it says “this student isn’t just good by the standards of their own institution; they’re good in general.”
- As was mentioned, out of state and in-state don’t really matter. Any PhD program you actually want to attend will cover your tuition and fees and health insurance and provide you with a living stipend - the stipend is usually somewhere between $25K and $35K, which is generally enough to live on if one is frugal. You use that money to pay rent and eat.
However, saving up some money ahead of time is always a good idea because moving is expensive! There may be some housing deposits you have to pay, as well as buying furniture. However, this is premature, too - worry about this later.
- I’d say aim for at least a 155-ish on each section. But if the work you do is heavily quantitative, aim higher on the math - closer to a 160.