Anonymous wrote:Virginia Tech.


- College of Foestry and Wildlife (back when it was called that) grad.

+1

Great news for your child! Stanford is establishing its first new (as yet unnamed) school in 70 years centered around environmental science and sustainability. Have your kid get in on the ground floor.

I majored in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The NY state system has a college specific to forestry. The exact name is escaping me.

Hah, just posted, and the name escapes me too. But it's in Syracuse.

(Googles...)
https://www.esf.edu/

It's SUNY-ESF. It's a great deal - it is basically right next door to Syracuse U., students have access to the Syracuse campus and dining halls, and can take Syracuse classes. The only downside is that your kid is in the city of Syracuse, which is a dump, though probably fine for four years in undergrad.

Middlebury, Bowdoin, UVM. Environmental programs can be very broad. Middlebury’s program is oldest in country and one of the most established. Eight focus areas and many students double major.

Anonymous wrote:So many good schools here, and I agree with all of them. I fear a glut of students in this field though.

It's actually really hard and the freshmen year Chem, Biol, Physics, and Technical Writing classes will weed out the kids who can't swing it. Those kids head over to the policy side.

So many good schools here, and I agree with all of them. I fear a glut of students in this field though.

Anonymous wrote:The NY state system has a college specific to forestry. The exact name is escaping me.

SUNY ESF (Environmental Science and Forestry). DS is currently a freshman there, majoring in Conservation Biology. But most freshman take core classes that will let them explore a bit, and they have a lot of majors - more than just environmental science and forestry. They have an odd relationship with Syracuse University, in that their campus is tucked alongside Syracuse's. They can particiapate in most extra curricular (not the major sports like football and basketball, but others), and clubs. They use Syracuse's dining halls, and can take 16 credits there for no extra cost and others for a discounted cost. But, they have their own vibe. Definitely not a party school, outdoors loving kids. Tie dye there is a thing. Very LGBTQ friendly.

Dickinson College and Rutger's Cook College campus were #2 and 3 on my child's list (got into all)

Cost is about $40k (much less than Syracuse). Yes, they offered us money, but not too much. Still, the school was less without aid than Dickinson with the generous aid they offered. No aid from Rutgers.

In our house, we don't get to pick our kid's life goals.

So, there is a certain amount of "hoping they are one of the lucky ones."

You can explain consequences to them, but it is their life, not yours.

Anonymous wrote:At Juniata, you can get certified as a Wildlife Biologist.

I have never thought of that leading to a policy job.

Here is an example of some of the interesting positions that could lead to:


https://careers.wildlife.org/

There are "some" interesting opportunities out there but not enough. Hoping your kid will be one of those lucky ones is not smart.

Why is the kid interested in forestry?

Any value in getting a bachelors in engineering and a masters in a more specific type of engineering that can be used to better the planet?

WashU

Penn State has a great forestry program. It is now called Forest Ecosystem Management. https://agsci.psu.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors

Other than Penn State, I think the best program in the region is Yale.

At Juniata, you can get certified as a Wildlife Biologist.

I have never thought of that leading to a policy job.

Here is an example of some of the interesting positions that could lead to:


https://careers.wildlife.org/

Anonymous wrote:My student was also interested in ES (although not forestry specifically) and was told is was better to major in a hard science- biology or chemistry- so that they could do something other than policy after graduation. Just food for thought…

I worked on Capitol Hill in environmental/forestry policy, and can second this. Even if you want to work in policy, a hard science degree is much more valuable. Forestry/chemistry/biology are going to get you much further than a general “environmental science” or policy degree. Experience actually working in those fields is even better.