What is the #1 school for Meteorology ? Where did most mets on the board goto learn their trade?
What is the best school to learn Meteorology? (View original topic)
neg-nao
Posted 22 January 2006 - 06:33 PM
Will
Posted 22 January 2006 - 06:36 PM
Lafayette
StormchaserChuck
Posted 22 January 2006 - 06:47 PM
neg-nao, on Jan 22 2006, 06:33 PM, said:
What is the #1 school for Meteorology ? Where did most mets on the board goto learn their trade?
Im assuming your in HS looking for Met colleges to attend?
Whats your GPA?
Chris L
Posted 22 January 2006 - 06:50 PM
Without a doubt, Penn State University.
StormchaserChuck
Posted 22 January 2006 - 06:52 PM
Chris L, on Jan 22 2006, 06:50 PM, said:
Without a doubt, Penn State University.
I agree
Chris L
Posted 22 January 2006 - 06:55 PM
SkizophrenicStormChaser, on Jan 22 2006, 06:52 PM, said:
I agree
Chuck,
Any reasons why you chose Millersville over Penn State?
Or the GPA wasn't at their standards?
StormchaserChuck
Posted 22 January 2006 - 06:57 PM
Chris L, on Jan 22 2006, 06:55 PM, said:
Chuck,
Any reasons why you chose Millersville over Penn State?
Or the GPA wasn't at their standards?
Any reasons why you chose Millersville over Penn State?
Or the GPA wasn't at their standards?
Millersville is closer, cheaper, and my GPA wasnt at PSU standards
Chris L
Posted 22 January 2006 - 06:58 PM
I gotcha now, Chuck.
troughman
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:10 PM
What's sad is that you go to Millersville and you don't realize that their program there is as good if not BETTER than PSU's undergrad program.... I know this because I know people who have been through each school. Penn State is huge, and the emphasis is really on their graduate program which IS excellent. At Millersville, you are going to get a much more "hands on" experience as an undergrad and be taught by REAL professors with Ph.D's in their discipline. Unlike at Penn State where you'd be a number and have classes taught by some of the graduate students since the profs' main priorities involve their graduate students. So don't poo poo Millersville... it is in my opinion one of the best. So what if it's a state school and not humungous?
SkizophrenicStormChaser, on Jan 22 2006, 06:57 PM, said:
Millersville is closer, cheaper, and my GPA wasnt at PSU standards
RIC Airport
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:11 PM
Florida State
jrodd321
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:14 PM
SkizophrenicStormChaser, on Jan 22 2006, 06:57 PM, said:
Millersville is closer, cheaper, and my GPA wasnt at PSU standards
I am currently very interested in Millersville. I am a junior at LaSalle High School in Philly. My friend just got accepted to Penn State and Millersville. Millersville looks like a great school man. Just look how chuck is turning out! :thumbsupsmileyanim:
Chris L
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:16 PM
RIC Airport, on Jan 22 2006, 07:11 PM, said:
Florida State
Sorry, but you are wrong.
Penn State was number one, is number one and will always be number one.
Ji
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:17 PM
Chris L, on Jan 23 2006, 12:16 AM, said:
Sorry, but you are wrong.
Penn State was number one, is number one and will always be number one.
Penn State was number one, is number one and will always be number one.
howard U
RIC Airport
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:18 PM
Chris L, on Jan 22 2006, 07:16 PM, said:
Sorry, but you are wrong.
Penn State was number one, is number one and will always be number one.
Penn State was number one, is number one and will always be number one.
i' wasn't really in disagreement with you, i was just naming another one
StormAtSea
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:19 PM
I am a recent graduate of Penn State and I have never had anyone else conduct any of my classes other than PhD's. Penn State's curriculum can be a bit overwhelming for those not inclined to do significant amounts of math and some science outside of meteorology (ex: chemistry). The one positive side to such a program is that it prepares its students for professions outside of the world of meteorlogy. I took my degree and sprinted off to medical school. Penn State is by far the top undergraduate program in the nation.
RIC Airport
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:19 PM
Ji, on Jan 22 2006, 07:17 PM, said:
howard U
W-B Weather
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:20 PM
The programs mentioned are all very good. Penn State has an amazing reputation, and that's where I went, and loved every second of it. But if you are not a big (40,000+) school person, I wouldn't recommend it.
If you are into storm chasing, I've heard nothing but great things from people who have gone to Oklahoma. If you are into hurricanes, any of the Florida schools can be great. Florida State probably has the best reputation of the FL schools.
I think a big part of majoring in Meteorology is picking a school where there's some weather you like - since it's a major part of most of our lives. If you love snow and hate the heat and humidity, you'll think twice about spending 4 years in Oklahoma or Florida. I love the snow, and football, so Penn State was a no brainer. But I also looked at Millersville, and it was the cheaper option.
There are tons of factors. The best recommendation is to VISIT. Easier said than done, though. They're not exactly geographically convenient...
If you are into storm chasing, I've heard nothing but great things from people who have gone to Oklahoma. If you are into hurricanes, any of the Florida schools can be great. Florida State probably has the best reputation of the FL schools.
I think a big part of majoring in Meteorology is picking a school where there's some weather you like - since it's a major part of most of our lives. If you love snow and hate the heat and humidity, you'll think twice about spending 4 years in Oklahoma or Florida. I love the snow, and football, so Penn State was a no brainer. But I also looked at Millersville, and it was the cheaper option.
There are tons of factors. The best recommendation is to VISIT. Easier said than done, though. They're not exactly geographically convenient...
dg12x
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:21 PM
I'm partial to PSU. I just transferred here and there is PLENTY of hands-on experience. And the meteo profs are great to deal with and have loads of knowledge to share. I've been here just 2 weeks, and I've already got to film weather video reports w/ the green screen and work with fellow meteo majors making forecasts for all across PA and phoning them into various radio stations and posting them on the web. Plus, you get Big Ten football and a great atmosphere. Anyway, good luck with your decision and your future.
http://www.met.psu.edu/
http://cws.met.psu.edu/
http://www.met.psu.edu/
http://cws.met.psu.edu/
Thunder
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:23 PM
I am currently a sophomore at Indian River HS in Southeast VA. with a GPA around 3.7-3.8. I am very interested in North Carolina State. Is this a good school for meteorology? Anyone who has graduated from there please reply. Thanks!
W-B Weather
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:25 PM
Thunder, on Jan 22 2006, 07:23 PM, said:
I am currently a sophomore at Indian River HS in Southeast VA. with a GPA around 3.7-3.8. I am very interested in North Carolina State. Is this a good school for meteorology? Anyone who has graduated from there please reply. Thanks!
Yes, you reminded me. NC State is another excellent school. I know several mets who went there and loved it. It's a good geographical compromise to going way north or way south. Valpo is another one...
InfectedCabbage
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:29 PM
Isn't North Dakota good?
North Carolina
Colorado State
Penn State
NC State
Arizona
You don't have to go to a top 5 school to succeed in meteorology. Although it certainly helps.
The way I see it, if YOU take YOUR education seriously, you can and will come out of college with an education just as good as someone who went to any other school, with the exception of any schools out there that simply have inexplicably poor programs. The experiences at top schools are certainly worthwhile though - and worth your effort to try to get into them. Penn State may also look better on a resume - there is also that intangible.
But, if you take your undergrad education seriously, you are at no serious disadvantage by going somewhere other than a place like Penn State or some of the others. In graduate school, you will want to choose your school more wisely, so that you will choose one that fits your own personal needs. Don't get me wrong though - If you get into Penn State.. GO.
North Carolina
Colorado State
Penn State
NC State
Arizona
You don't have to go to a top 5 school to succeed in meteorology. Although it certainly helps.
The way I see it, if YOU take YOUR education seriously, you can and will come out of college with an education just as good as someone who went to any other school, with the exception of any schools out there that simply have inexplicably poor programs. The experiences at top schools are certainly worthwhile though - and worth your effort to try to get into them. Penn State may also look better on a resume - there is also that intangible.
But, if you take your undergrad education seriously, you are at no serious disadvantage by going somewhere other than a place like Penn State or some of the others. In graduate school, you will want to choose your school more wisely, so that you will choose one that fits your own personal needs. Don't get me wrong though - If you get into Penn State.. GO.
Southland Wx
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:31 PM
There no "best" school. PSU is great, but you also have a lot more met. students there than a smaller school, where you could potentially get more attention and learn more...it's all based on your own opinion of what environment you think you'll do best in. I've worked with 2 PSUers, an Oklahoma student, a SUNY Oswego grad, 2 Albany grads, and a Lyndon Stater. The PSUers were as "good" as anyone else...so I don't think they overstand out. I have a friend at FSU now in grad school, and i personally think he's getting the most bang for his buck. I went to Rutgers, and I think it was great. It's all preference...go visit, etc. There's no "best" school...there's only a "best for you"school.
osu2
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:41 PM
InfectedCabbage, on Jan 22 2006, 07:29 PM, said:
Isn't North Dakota good?
North Carolina
Colorado State
Penn State
NC State
Arizona
You don't have to go to a top 5 school to succeed in meteorology. Although it certainly helps.
University of Missouri was ranked 8th a year or two ago (Gourman).
North Carolina
Colorado State
Penn State
NC State
Arizona
You don't have to go to a top 5 school to succeed in meteorology. Although it certainly helps.
University of Missouri was ranked 8th a year or two ago (Gourman).
I agree. I went to Ohio State for the aviation and decided to do meteorology also. Best of both worlds and an awesome school in general.
Top 25 university in the country as a whole and amazing business school among other majors.
Football team is not bad also!
ERIC
stormpc
Posted 22 January 2006 - 07:49 PM
OSU...Oswego State University. Great program. A lot of tv mets around the country and lots of Lake Effect snows. Great training in trying to nail down the lake snows. Also, good comm college to train for on camera and radio broadcasts.
troughman
Posted 22 January 2006 - 08:00 PM
I hope I didn't give the wrong impression... Penn State IS an excellent school for meteorology, but it's not fair to say it is "by far" the best school when Millersville is JUST as good. Unless you really know about Millersville's program, you can't say Penn State's is "by far the best" just because it is bigger and better known unless you are just partial to it because you went there. If you look on Millersville's site, they also require a LOT of math and science outside of meteorology. I've heard nothing but excellent things about them.
PSUPete, on Jan 22 2006, 07:19 PM, said:
I am a recent graduate of Penn State and I have never had anyone else conduct any of my classes other than PhD's. Penn State's curriculum can be a bit overwhelming for those not inclined to do significant amounts of math and some science outside of meteorology (ex: chemistry). The one positive side to such a program is that it prepares its students for professions outside of the world of meteorlogy. I took my degree and sprinted off to medical school. Penn State is by far the top undergraduate program in the nation.
Mitchel Volk
Posted 22 January 2006 - 08:10 PM
LSC was an excellent school when I attended it from 1974-78 and University of Wi-Madison was also excellent when I attended it fron 1978-1981. Best of luck on your choice and work hard on writing and math.
budro999
Posted 22 January 2006 - 08:37 PM
Different schools also emphasize different areas. For example, I got my B.S. from UNCA, which emphasized forecasting over theory and mathematics when I was there (currently, the program seems to be undergoing a transition toward one with a heavier theoretical/nwp component). I have an M.S. from FSU, which clearly emphasizes math/theory over forecasting. It all depends on what type of emphasis you want. However, depending on the student, you can be successful anywhere as long as you apply yourself.
OSUmetstud
Posted 22 January 2006 - 08:48 PM
SUNY Oswego...of course I'm partial because I do go there. The program is fantastic with over 60 students and professors who are willing to help you in your studies and otherwise. A very close knite department. Many of our grads go into TV and the NWS.
-Nick
Junior at SUNY Oswego
-Nick
Junior at SUNY Oswego
InfectedCabbage
Posted 22 January 2006 - 08:53 PM
A list of some undergraduate, as far as I know, atmospheric science programs
NC State Atmospheric Science
http://www.meas.ncsu...p-ug-atmos.html
Colorado State Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.colostate.edu/
Florida State Meteorology
http://www.met.fsu.edu/
St. Louis University Meteorology
http://www.eas.slu.e...rams/metug.html
Penn State Meteorology
http://www.met.psu.edu/
University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.uiuc.edu/
University of Hawai'i Meteorology
http://lumahai.soest...logy/index.html
University of Missouri Atmospheric Science
http://www.snr.misso...as/seascur.html
University of Michigan Meteorology
http://aoss.engin.um...=11&id2=1&id3=2
Ohio State Atmospheric Science
http://asp1.sbs.ohio-state.edu/
Oklahoma Meteorology
http://weather.ou.edu/
Oregon State Atmospheric Science
http://www.coas.oregonstate.edu/
Rutgers Meteorology
http://envsci.rutger...ms/met_ug.shtml
University of Washington Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/
Purdue Atmospheric Science
http://www.purdue.edu/eas/
NC State Atmospheric Science
http://www.meas.ncsu...p-ug-atmos.html
Colorado State Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.colostate.edu/
Florida State Meteorology
http://www.met.fsu.edu/
St. Louis University Meteorology
http://www.eas.slu.e...rams/metug.html
Penn State Meteorology
http://www.met.psu.edu/
University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.uiuc.edu/
University of Hawai'i Meteorology
http://lumahai.soest...logy/index.html
University of Missouri Atmospheric Science
http://www.snr.misso...as/seascur.html
University of Michigan Meteorology
http://aoss.engin.um...=11&id2=1&id3=2
Ohio State Atmospheric Science
http://asp1.sbs.ohio-state.edu/
Oklahoma Meteorology
http://weather.ou.edu/
Oregon State Atmospheric Science
http://www.coas.oregonstate.edu/
Rutgers Meteorology
http://envsci.rutger...ms/met_ug.shtml
University of Washington Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/
Purdue Atmospheric Science
http://www.purdue.edu/eas/
neg-nao
Posted 22 January 2006 - 09:04 PM
InfectedCabbage, on Jan 22 2006, 08:53 PM, said:
A list of some undergraduate, as far as I know, atmospheric science programs
NC State Atmospheric Science
http://www.meas.ncsu...p-ug-atmos.html
Colorado State Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.colostate.edu/
Florida State Meteorology
http://www.met.fsu.edu/
St. Louis University Meteorology
http://www.eas.slu.e...rams/metug.html
Penn State Meteorology
http://www.met.psu.edu/
University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.uiuc.edu/
University of Hawai'i Meteorology
http://lumahai.soest...logy/index.html
University of Missouri Atmospheric Science
http://www.snr.misso...as/seascur.html
University of Michigan Meteorology
http://aoss.engin.um...=11&id2=1&id3=2
Ohio State Atmospheric Science
http://asp1.sbs.ohio-state.edu/
Oklahoma Meteorology
http://weather.ou.edu/
Oregon State Atmospheric Science
http://www.coas.oregonstate.edu/
Rutgers Meteorology
http://envsci.rutger...ms/met_ug.shtml
University of Washington Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/
Purdue Atmospheric Science
http://www.purdue.edu/eas/
NC State Atmospheric Science
http://www.meas.ncsu...p-ug-atmos.html
Colorado State Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.colostate.edu/
Florida State Meteorology
http://www.met.fsu.edu/
St. Louis University Meteorology
http://www.eas.slu.e...rams/metug.html
Penn State Meteorology
http://www.met.psu.edu/
University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.uiuc.edu/
University of Hawai'i Meteorology
http://lumahai.soest...logy/index.html
University of Missouri Atmospheric Science
http://www.snr.misso...as/seascur.html
University of Michigan Meteorology
http://aoss.engin.um...=11&id2=1&id3=2
Ohio State Atmospheric Science
http://asp1.sbs.ohio-state.edu/
Oklahoma Meteorology
http://weather.ou.edu/
Oregon State Atmospheric Science
http://www.coas.oregonstate.edu/
Rutgers Meteorology
http://envsci.rutger...ms/met_ug.shtml
University of Washington Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/
Purdue Atmospheric Science
http://www.purdue.edu/eas/
Wow ! thanks i'm saving this list
4DVAR
Posted 22 January 2006 - 09:08 PM
doesnt get any tougher than my Alma Mater Cornell University
usedtobe
Posted 22 January 2006 - 09:12 PM
There are lots of good schools. One thing to consider when you pick a school is to look and see whether their emphasis is what you're interested in. That's especially true if you're thinking of grad school. In he current environment, meteorology is pretty competative so if you want a forecasting job, especially with the nws, you almost need a masters degree to get in the door.
RiemannSun
Posted 22 January 2006 - 09:23 PM
Lou Giordano, a great forecaster at NWS PIT and PSU alumnus (I think he has B.S. and M.S. degrees), pointed me to this website in July- http://www.ametsoc.o...stateindex.html, which is part of this one- http://www.ametsoc.org/atmoscareers/. Very thorough and comprehensive low-down on the field of meteorology (at least that's how it seems to this novice).
InfectedCabbage
Posted 22 January 2006 - 09:25 PM
neg-nao, on Jan 22 2006, 08:04 PM, said:
Wow ! thanks i'm saving this list
You're welcome, neg-nao. Don't forget that there's more than just that list.
Good luck.
nevildev
Posted 22 January 2006 - 09:31 PM
jrodd321, on Jan 22 2006, 07:14 PM, said:
I am currently very interested in Millersville. I am a junior at LaSalle High School in Philly. My friend just got accepted to Penn State and Millersville. Millersville looks like a great school man. Just look how chuck is turning out! :thumbsupsmileyanim:
Hey jrodd,
LaSalle HS and Millersville Met graduate.... If you're thinking about Millersville...go for it. Small classes, lots of attention from motivated professors, opportunities for research, campus weather service, the local AMS, and lots of weather dorks just like you. Penn State, Florida State, and Oklahoma may be the big names, but Millersville gives you everything they offer and it's close to home. If you love weather, work your *** off, and get involved you'll do awesome at MU.
Evan
BroadSt_Bully
Posted 22 January 2006 - 09:54 PM
My sig pic says it all...
:aarambo:
Oh yeah, and we have a great meteorology department, too!
:aarambo:
Oh yeah, and we have a great meteorology department, too!
Chris L
Posted 22 January 2006 - 10:03 PM
Anyone know where did DT go to college for Met?
simpsonsbuff
Posted 22 January 2006 - 10:08 PM
GPA is not a good standard, in many schools it depends on the how much grab upping, some schools have an A- average... also how hard is the district? How smart are the kids?
What about sports, internships... etc....
Sat, Ap's.... a lot of factors.
GPA is one of many...
What about sports, internships... etc....
Sat, Ap's.... a lot of factors.
GPA is one of many...
jdsnow85
Posted 22 January 2006 - 10:10 PM
MIT has an incredibly tough MET program. I have been there the past 2.5 years and it is very theory/physics based. NO Forecasting. Emphasis put entirely on research (and the grad program). Although you can learn a great deal about the atmosphere, and, I think, truly understand the physics behind it, it is only good if you want to research, and go to MIT for grad school.
I just recently decided to transfer to UMass Lowell - a great MET program with much more emphasis on forecasting and the things I want to learn. I loved MIT but did not want to spend another 2 years taking physics classes in a program almost completely for grad students.
But, if you want to do research and can get in, MIT is the place.
good point.
I just recently decided to transfer to UMass Lowell - a great MET program with much more emphasis on forecasting and the things I want to learn. I loved MIT but did not want to spend another 2 years taking physics classes in a program almost completely for grad students.
But, if you want to do research and can get in, MIT is the place.
simpsonsbuff, on Jan 22 2006, 10:08 PM, said:
GPA is not a good standard, in many schools it depends on the how much grab upping, some schools have an A- average... also how hard is the district? How smart are the kids?
What about sports, internships... etc....
Sat, Ap's.... a lot of factors.
GPA is one of many...
What about sports, internships... etc....
Sat, Ap's.... a lot of factors.
GPA is one of many...
good point.
Delaware
Posted 22 January 2006 - 10:15 PM
Best Link:
http://www.srh.noaa....schools_map.htm
im a junior in HS this year, and am definately going to college for Meteorology.
Im looking at SUNY Albany, Penn State, Millersville, Rutgers, and NC State but id say my main choice would be Millersville. Its close to home, good school, not too big, not too much $$$, and great Meteo department.
http://www.srh.noaa....schools_map.htm
im a junior in HS this year, and am definately going to college for Meteorology.
Im looking at SUNY Albany, Penn State, Millersville, Rutgers, and NC State but id say my main choice would be Millersville. Its close to home, good school, not too big, not too much $$$, and great Meteo department.
StormchaserChuck
Posted 22 January 2006 - 10:25 PM
troughman, on Jan 22 2006, 07:10 PM, said:
What's sad is that you go to Millersville and you don't realize that their program there is as good if not BETTER than PSU's undergrad program.... I know this because I know people who have been through each school. Penn State is huge, and the emphasis is really on their graduate program which IS excellent. At Millersville, you are going to get a much more "hands on" experience as an undergrad and be taught by REAL professors with Ph.D's in their discipline. Unlike at Penn State where you'd be a number and have classes taught by some of the graduate students since the profs' main priorities involve their graduate students. So don't poo poo Millersville... it is in my opinion one of the best. So what if it's a state school and not humungous?
Kyle?
Dont get me wrong... I am in no way saying that Millersville is a bad school. I actually really like it here. What Im mostly referring to is that PSU is a lot harder to get into, and because of that when you eventually graduate and go out looking for a job, the job would more then likely be given to a PSU student over someone who went to Millersville simply because of its reputation.
Neg-nao....
I guess it comes down to what type of school you like. Millersville is a smaller school where everyone kind of knows everyone else. PSU is a much larger school where you may see people one day and then never again see them in your life. If you dont mind crowds or large schools, PSU is the top candidate. If you like the smaller school atmosphere, I would recomend Millersville.
Once I finish my undergraduate degree here, I do plan on attending Penn State.
jrodd321, on Jan 22 2006, 07:14 PM, said:
I am currently very interested in Millersville. I am a junior at LaSalle High School in Philly. My friend just got accepted to Penn State and Millersville. Millersville looks like a great school man. Just look how chuck is turning out! :thumbsupsmileyanim:
How much more high school do you have to complete, and what is your current GPA?
neg-nao
Posted 22 January 2006 - 10:25 PM
Delaware, on Jan 22 2006, 10:15 PM, said:
Best Link:
http://www.srh.noaa....schools_map.htm
im a junior in HS this year, and am definately going to college for Meteorology.
Im looking at SUNY Albany, Penn State, Millersville, Rutgers, and NC State but id say my main choice would be Millersville. Its close to home, good school, not too big, not too much $$$, and great Meteo department.
http://www.srh.noaa....schools_map.htm
im a junior in HS this year, and am definately going to college for Meteorology.
Im looking at SUNY Albany, Penn State, Millersville, Rutgers, and NC State but id say my main choice would be Millersville. Its close to home, good school, not too big, not too much $$$, and great Meteo department.
You guys rock !!! Thanks a million !
MSquared
Posted 22 January 2006 - 10:26 PM
I'm surprised no one here has mentioned Plymouth State in Plymouth, NH. Great meteorology program with good snow (about 80-85" in an average winter). The classes are small and the faculty work very closely with students. The faculty know all of their students by name and have an "open door" policy meaning that you can show up and ask questions anytime. (I would strongly recommend you take advantage of this no matter where you go!)
The facilities are all new and contain a weather lab with plasma monitors that update with live weather info continuously. I would check it out.
http://vortex.plymouth.edu
The facilities are all new and contain a weather lab with plasma monitors that update with live weather info continuously. I would check it out.
http://vortex.plymouth.edu
beez721
Posted 23 January 2006 - 12:08 AM
neg-nao, on Jan 22 2006, 06:33 PM, said:
What is the #1 school for Meteorology ? Where did most mets on the board goto learn their trade?
RUTGERS
MEkster
Posted 23 January 2006 - 01:19 AM
Chris L, on Jan 22 2006, 10:03 PM, said:
Anyone know where did DT go to college for Met?
If I'm not mistaken, DT got his met degree at Mississippi State.
dendrite
Posted 23 January 2006 - 01:23 AM
MEkster, on Jan 23 2006, 01:19 AM, said:
If I'm not mistaken, DT got his met degree at Mississippi State.
MEkster
Posted 23 January 2006 - 01:27 AM
dendrite, on Jan 23 2006, 01:23 AM, said:
The 2 year certificate?
...or was it the Teleconnections Institute of Technology (TIT)?
snowmizer
Posted 23 January 2006 - 01:29 AM
Rutgers Met program was real good for me...just don't take any calc courses there...you'll be lucky to understand the "English" of the instructors, let alone the challenge of the subject itself!
valpo04
Posted 23 January 2006 - 01:34 AM
I went to Valpo... it is a very good, and up and coming program. They just opened a brand new building, with a sky imager, balloon launcher, and are in the final stages of getting a new radar.
Weatherwise, you get some lake effect snow and a little of everything else. It gets very cold in the winter, and hot in the summer.
http://www.valpo.edu/geomet/index.html
Weatherwise, you get some lake effect snow and a little of everything else. It gets very cold in the winter, and hot in the summer.
http://www.valpo.edu/geomet/index.html
sfenn1117
Posted 23 January 2006 - 02:58 AM
don't go to lyndon state. it's a decent program but the school sucks. 40% of the freshmen failed out and 60% of the remaining freshmen are on academic probation. I wonder how many made dean's list, like me.
i don't know where i'm going next year but it can't be here. :fever-sick:
man 8 am class in 3 hours too
i don't know where i'm going next year but it can't be here. :fever-sick:
man 8 am class in 3 hours too
ORH_wxman
Posted 23 January 2006 - 03:09 AM
joshua, on Jan 22 2006, 09:08 PM, said:
doesnt get any tougher than my Alma Mater Cornell University
Finally I got some love.
Cornell University is a great program and HARD!!! But I'll tell you, you'll know your atmospheric thermodynamics and synoptic meterology (good mesoscale class as well) after taking the Atmosphic Science program there.
They are definitely geared toward graduate research there...but I decided against graduate and jumped into the field after my B.S. at Cornell and so did several of my classmates that year. It's a good program and usually only around 15 students per class majoring in it so you have excellent interaction with the students and professors.
I have only good things to say about the experience...if you spend your time up there in the department (I say up because were on the top floor of the tallest building on campus....11th floor), you'll learn plenty of good things.
rainshadow
Posted 23 January 2006 - 07:43 AM
MEkster, on Jan 23 2006, 01:19 AM, said:
If I'm not mistaken, DT got his met degree at Mississippi State.
I know where, but its a secret I will keep until it snows 70" one season in Philly, or I break 80 on a full length golf course.
Tony
MGorse
Posted 23 January 2006 - 08:24 AM
rainshadow, on Jan 23 2006, 07:43 AM, said:
I know where, but its a secret I will keep until it snows 70" one season in Philly, or I break 80 on a full length golf course.
Tony
Tony
Tony,
So does this mean you will never reveal the secret?
MGorse
Posted 23 January 2006 - 08:29 AM
neg-nao, on Jan 22 2006, 06:33 PM, said:
What is the #1 school for Meteorology ? Where did most mets on the board goto learn their trade?
I attended SUNY Brockport for my Meteorology degree. It has a smaller Meteorology department, which is part of the Earth Sciences, but it is a good school. They have put a lot of money into the campus the past few years. I visited the college about 2 years ago, and many things are improved, including a new science building. The Meteorology lab is sweet with a nice glass enclosed observation deck that looks northward and westward toward Lake Ontario. I wish we had that when I was there.
Hoosier4caster
Posted 23 January 2006 - 08:46 AM
I have attended bot Purdue and the University of Washington. Both are great schools... with Washington leaning more heavily on Climate, atmos chemistry and Forecast Modeling issues. UW is alos located right near Seattle...expensive to live in the city but a great atmosphere.
Go Huskies and Boilers!!!! :thumbsupsmileyanim:
Go Huskies and Boilers!!!! :thumbsupsmileyanim:
MN transplant
Posted 23 January 2006 - 09:44 AM
InfectedCabbage, on Jan 22 2006, 07:29 PM, said:
Isn't North Dakota good?
A little love for my alma mater
UND is the #1 aviation school in the country (Harvard of the skies - just like the cocky pilots like to tell you), and the aerospace school (which included AtSci) has a lot of resources. NASA just decided to let UND run their DC8 atmospheric research airplane. The profs are great. It is bitter cold all winter, which may appeal to some on here. In the last 10 years there has been a winter with 100" of snow, and one with 17". Otherwise, I consider Oklahoma the king of Meteorology schools (no offense PSU, you guys are impressive too, gotta dock you for Accuweather though
) Colorado St. is great for graduate, but they don't have an undergrad dept. Each school has certain specialties and professors that excel in them (like Wisconsin and Satellite Meteorology). My suggestion, if you have a certain topic you are interested in, is to search around the internet to see who has published in that area. Also, you can so to places like nsf.gov to see what professors/schools have research grants in certain areas. Government money is free information for the public.
RaleighWX
Posted 23 January 2006 - 10:17 AM
All the schools mentioned are great. I agree with Wes (usedtobe) that you need to pick out a school that fits your interests. I recommend grad school as well. One great thing about NC State, now is that the NWS is on campus, and they have an intern program for undergrads, which helps you IMMENSELY with getting a job with the NWS. If that is the way you want to go, pick a school that works very closely with the NWS. NC State does a great job of that in both undergrad and graduate arenas.
donsutherland1
Posted 23 January 2006 - 10:30 AM
Tony,
Come golf in Westchester. With a number of trees toppled, a few of the courses have suddenly become easier to play.
Come golf in Westchester. With a number of trees toppled, a few of the courses have suddenly become easier to play.
MEkster
Posted 23 January 2006 - 10:30 AM
sfenn1117, on Jan 23 2006, 02:58 AM, said:
don't go to lyndon state. it's a decent program but the school sucks. 40% of the freshmen failed out and 60% of the remaining freshmen are on academic probation. I wonder how many made dean's list, like me.
i don't know where i'm going next year but it can't be here. :fever-sick:
man 8 am class in 3 hours too
i don't know where i'm going next year but it can't be here. :fever-sick:
man 8 am class in 3 hours too
Stick with it. Go to Atkins for help. The man is brilliant and fairly personable. When I first started there I wanted to go home too...but the longer I stayed, the more I didn't want to leave. We can chat at the NESC...I'll be there as usual.
Mike
downsouthweatherguy
Posted 23 January 2006 - 10:57 AM
Picking a school all depends on what you want to get out of it, and what kind of degree you want. If you want to do mainly TV, then a broadcast meteorology degree will do. If you want to work for NWS, then you will need a degree in which you took all the maths, physics, and meteorology courses required, and most private companies require the same thing I think. The second thing is what you want to get outside of the classroom, i.e. research, viewing the weather on your own time, etc. For instance, if you are into chasing storms, then you would need to be at a school in/near the plains. If you like blizzard type weather, you would need to stay in the northeast. If you like tropical storms, then live near the coast. Pretty much you'll get the same degree at any school you go to, some places may have better teachers, but alot of what you learn weather wise isn't in the classroom...at least it wasn't for me. It was talking with other students, reading forecast discussions, doing our own forecasts when chasing, and so on.
Anyway, of course there are the "big" schools everyone really thinks of with meteorology: Oklahoma, Penn State, Florida State, Texas A&M, Wisconson, NC State, and so on. But there are alot of smaller schools around the country and in the northeast that are good schools as well. I graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Not a very big or well known school, but the teachers I had there were very well respected around the country, and I learned alot while I was there. So, look at a school that you'd want to go to, and if they have a degree, go for it. Heck, you'd be able to transfer if you don't like it there, although I would suggest staying at one school unless you switch to get a grad degree.
Good luck!
Anyway, of course there are the "big" schools everyone really thinks of with meteorology: Oklahoma, Penn State, Florida State, Texas A&M, Wisconson, NC State, and so on. But there are alot of smaller schools around the country and in the northeast that are good schools as well. I graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Not a very big or well known school, but the teachers I had there were very well respected around the country, and I learned alot while I was there. So, look at a school that you'd want to go to, and if they have a degree, go for it. Heck, you'd be able to transfer if you don't like it there, although I would suggest staying at one school unless you switch to get a grad degree.
Good luck!
NorEaster27
Posted 23 January 2006 - 11:35 AM
ORH_wxman, on Jan 23 2006, 03:09 AM, said:
Finally I got some love.
Cornell University is a great program and HARD!!! But I'll tell you, you'll know your atmospheric thermodynamics and synoptic meterology (good mesoscale class as well) after taking the Atmosphic Science program there.
They are definitely geared toward graduate research there...but I decided against graduate and jumped into the field after my B.S. at Cornell and so did several of my classmates that year. It's a good program and usually only around 15 students per class majoring in it so you have excellent interaction with the students and professors.
I have only good things to say about the experience...if you spend your time up there in the department (I say up because were on the top floor of the tallest building on campus....11th floor), you'll learn plenty of good things.
Cornell University is a great program and HARD!!! But I'll tell you, you'll know your atmospheric thermodynamics and synoptic meterology (good mesoscale class as well) after taking the Atmosphic Science program there.
They are definitely geared toward graduate research there...but I decided against graduate and jumped into the field after my B.S. at Cornell and so did several of my classmates that year. It's a good program and usually only around 15 students per class majoring in it so you have excellent interaction with the students and professors.
I have only good things to say about the experience...if you spend your time up there in the department (I say up because were on the top floor of the tallest building on campus....11th floor), you'll learn plenty of good things.
o its hard? tell me about it :axesmiley: another great semster coming up :lmaosmiley: :aarambo: :whistling:
Turtle
Posted 23 January 2006 - 05:39 PM
Can't agree with this post more!! You really have to consider the school's specialities and what your interest is.
When I first attended school, I went to ULowell (now UMass Lowell), which was a fair school back in the late 70s. Personally, I had a lot of trouble, due to the head professor and his teaching methods (he's long gone now). I would highly recommend the UML program now! Back then, I didn't look into schools outside my home state too much, and the guidance counselor at my HS wasn't particularly helpful with college selection.
Going to school back then, there was only theoretical or forecasting, that's it. ULowell was a theoretical school then, and I didn't do well at all. By the time my sophomore year came up, I had already been accepted for transfer to Lyndon State! I LOVED it there! They concentrated more on operational meteorology (forecasting), and I excelled. One of the professors I had there is now at University of NC at Asheville, after 20 years!
I may be biased about LSC, but I loved the small school atmosphere, even from a "big city" girl like me (originally from near Boston).
Oh, BTW, the AMS is in the process of updating the Curricula that's on their website. Here's the new link:
http://www.ametsoc.o...icula/index.cfm
I hope this helps, but you have to decide what you want to do, then choose the school that will get you there.
Take care!
--Turtle
When I first attended school, I went to ULowell (now UMass Lowell), which was a fair school back in the late 70s. Personally, I had a lot of trouble, due to the head professor and his teaching methods (he's long gone now). I would highly recommend the UML program now! Back then, I didn't look into schools outside my home state too much, and the guidance counselor at my HS wasn't particularly helpful with college selection.
Going to school back then, there was only theoretical or forecasting, that's it. ULowell was a theoretical school then, and I didn't do well at all. By the time my sophomore year came up, I had already been accepted for transfer to Lyndon State! I LOVED it there! They concentrated more on operational meteorology (forecasting), and I excelled. One of the professors I had there is now at University of NC at Asheville, after 20 years!
I may be biased about LSC, but I loved the small school atmosphere, even from a "big city" girl like me (originally from near Boston).
Oh, BTW, the AMS is in the process of updating the Curricula that's on their website. Here's the new link:
http://www.ametsoc.o...icula/index.cfm
I hope this helps, but you have to decide what you want to do, then choose the school that will get you there.
Take care!
--Turtle
usedtobe, on Jan 22 2006, 09:12 PM, said:
There are lots of good schools. One thing to consider when you pick a school is to look and see whether their emphasis is what you're interested in. That's especially true if you're thinking of grad school. In the current environment, meteorology is pretty competitive...so if you want a forecasting job, especially with the NWS, you almost need a masters degree to get in the door.
mksozz
Posted 23 January 2006 - 07:08 PM
Bob Jones University
rainshadow
Posted 23 January 2006 - 07:22 PM
donsutherland1, on Jan 23 2006, 10:30 AM, said:
Tony,
Come golf in Westchester. With a number of trees toppled, a few of the courses have suddenly become easier to play.
Come golf in Westchester. With a number of trees toppled, a few of the courses have suddenly become easier to play.
Don,
You just want me to break 80, don't you?
I would think as long as you put a good faith effort into the college of your choice and truly apply yourself, it will work. The knack of forecasting though is not something (if that is your intentions) you can pick up from a differential equation textbook. It is akin to hitting a 80 mile an hour baseball or driving a golfball 300 yards. You have to have the ability or knack to apply what you have learned. I've seen meteorologists from the gamut of colleges who can't forecast their way out of a paper bag (OK, so I'll stop talking about myself). Just make sure you pick a college that is committed to keeping meteorology as a major and is not ready to shut the department down. That happened to me when I was applying to NYU as an undergrad.
Good luck
Tony
Chris L
Posted 23 January 2006 - 08:10 PM
rainshadow, on Jan 23 2006, 07:22 PM, said:
Don,
You just want me to break 80, don't you?
I would think as long as you put a good faith effort into the college of your choice and truly apply yourself, it will work. The knack of forecasting though is not something (if that is your intentions) you can pick up from a differential equation textbook. It is akin to hitting a 80 mile an hour baseball or driving a golfball 300 yards. You have to have the ability or knack to apply what you have learned. I've seen meteorologists from the gamut of colleges who can't forecast their way out of a paper bag (OK, so I'll stop talking about myself). Just make sure you pick a college that is committed to keeping meteorology as a major and is not ready to shut the department down. That happened to me when I was applying to NYU as an undergrad.
Good luck
Tony
You just want me to break 80, don't you?
I would think as long as you put a good faith effort into the college of your choice and truly apply yourself, it will work. The knack of forecasting though is not something (if that is your intentions) you can pick up from a differential equation textbook. It is akin to hitting a 80 mile an hour baseball or driving a golfball 300 yards. You have to have the ability or knack to apply what you have learned. I've seen meteorologists from the gamut of colleges who can't forecast their way out of a paper bag (OK, so I'll stop talking about myself). Just make sure you pick a college that is committed to keeping meteorology as a major and is not ready to shut the department down. That happened to me when I was applying to NYU as an undergrad.
Good luck
Tony
Tony, come and play golf at #1 ranked course in the World. Pine Valley Golf Club.
Hardest too...
SacrydDreamz
Posted 23 January 2006 - 09:13 PM
Chris L, on Jan 22 2006, 06:50 PM, said:
Without a doubt, Penn State University.
I understand having a preference, but it is undoubtedly incorrect to say definitively that PSU is the best school for meteorology. PSU has it's strengths, and many of them, but other schools excel in certain areas. If you wanted to get into mesoscale processes in supercell thunderstorms, there are arguably better choices than PSU -- for example, OU.
SacrydDreamz
Posted 23 January 2006 - 09:14 PM
W-B Weather, on Jan 22 2006, 07:20 PM, said:
The programs mentioned are all very good. Penn State has an amazing reputation, and that's where I went, and loved every second of it. But if you are not a big (40,000+) school person, I wouldn't recommend it.
If you are into storm chasing, I've heard nothing but great things from people who have gone to Oklahoma. If you are into hurricanes, any of the Florida schools can be great. Florida State probably has the best reputation of the FL schools.
I think a big part of majoring in Meteorology is picking a school where there's some weather you like - since it's a major part of most of our lives. If you love snow and hate the heat and humidity, you'll think twice about spending 4 years in Oklahoma or Florida. I love the snow, and football, so Penn State was a no brainer. But I also looked at Millersville, and it was the cheaper option.
There are tons of factors. The best recommendation is to VISIT. Easier said than done, though. They're not exactly geographically convenient...
If you are into storm chasing, I've heard nothing but great things from people who have gone to Oklahoma. If you are into hurricanes, any of the Florida schools can be great. Florida State probably has the best reputation of the FL schools.
I think a big part of majoring in Meteorology is picking a school where there's some weather you like - since it's a major part of most of our lives. If you love snow and hate the heat and humidity, you'll think twice about spending 4 years in Oklahoma or Florida. I love the snow, and football, so Penn State was a no brainer. But I also looked at Millersville, and it was the cheaper option.
There are tons of factors. The best recommendation is to VISIT. Easier said than done, though. They're not exactly geographically convenient...
Excellent post.
NJwinter17
Posted 23 January 2006 - 09:16 PM
I was accepted to Penn state...id have to take my first 2 years at the Lehigh Campus and then transfer to University park, but my other potential school for Meteorology is Rutgers. Does anybpdy have an opinion on the situation and future dilemma i will be facing. Obviously Penn state is a great choice, but rutgers (the state university of NJ) has a fantastic program as well to my understanding. Any opinion to the situation is much welcomed.
button2
Posted 23 January 2006 - 09:46 PM
I hear that NOAA and the NWS are building new headquarters adjacent to the University of Maryland, College Park campus. I was accepted into College Park for my undergrad degree 
but I decided to attend UMBC due to less traffic congestion and slightly lower tuition. I got a 108% in a weather and climate course this past fall taught by Dr. Ali Tokay and I will have him again this semester for a climate change study involving the tropical weather including hurricane studies. I am planning to graduate in May 2007. Do you suppose that in fall 2007 when the new headquarters are expected to be completed that the University of Maryland will become a better meterology school for a graduate degree? 
but I decided to attend UMBC due to less traffic congestion and slightly lower tuition. I got a 108% in a weather and climate course this past fall taught by Dr. Ali Tokay and I will have him again this semester for a climate change study involving the tropical weather including hurricane studies. I am planning to graduate in May 2007. Do you suppose that in fall 2007 when the new headquarters are expected to be completed that the University of Maryland will become a better meterology school for a graduate degree?
LocoAko
Posted 23 January 2006 - 09:52 PM
Personally I would choose PSU because I think it's a better school.
But I really do'ntk now anything, so my opinion may not be valid.
But I really do'ntk now anything, so my opinion may not be valid.
jrodd321
Posted 23 January 2006 - 09:55 PM
SkizophrenicStormChaser, on Jan 22 2006, 10:25 PM, said:
How much more high school do you have to complete, and what is your current GPA?
I got 2 more years. And my GPA is around 3.4-3.5.
LocoAko
Posted 23 January 2006 - 09:58 PM
How do you calculate your GPA? lol
jrodd321
Posted 23 January 2006 - 10:17 PM
LocoAko, on Jan 23 2006, 09:58 PM, said:
How do you calculate your GPA? lol
Its wierd. Like an A=4.0, B=3.5 B+=3.0 ect.... and you add all of them up and divide by however many subjects you have at the end of your quarter when you get your report card
StormchaserChuck
Posted 23 January 2006 - 10:18 PM
LocoAko, on Jan 23 2006, 09:58 PM, said:
How do you calculate your GPA? lol
A = 4.0
B = 3.0
C = 2.0
D = 1.0
LocoAko
Posted 23 January 2006 - 10:19 PM
Hm.. I guess my GPA is around like a 3.5.
Is that good?
Is that good?
Mitchel Volk
Posted 23 January 2006 - 10:22 PM
Excellent best of luck and work hard on Math and WRITING!
Coastal BECS
Posted 06 June 2007 - 09:06 PM
Hey, I just realized that I have only four months until I am applying to college and I am stuck on where to apply. The main school I want to go to is Millersville U. but what if I don't get there. Where else should I look. I don't like NC State and Penn. State is too big and expensive. I plan on visiting Millersville this summer as well as a few others but IDK where yet. Can any of you give me some good ideas for here in the east?
TNE
Posted 06 June 2007 - 09:11 PM
SkizophrenicStormChaser, on Jan 23 2006, 11:18 PM, said:
A = 4.0
B = 3.0
C = 2.0
D = 1.0
B = 3.0
C = 2.0
D = 1.0
AP/honor grades are different...
it goes up to 4.3 ..(depends on school)
nin9inch9nails
Posted 06 June 2007 - 10:59 PM
neg-nao, on Jan 22 2006, 07:33 PM, said:
What is the #1 school for Meteorology ? Where did most mets on the board goto learn their trade?
I went to PSU. Rank is secondary to the commitment you make to learn. You get out of it as much as you put into it. Do your best and everything else will fall into place...trust me on this...Hart
nin9inch9nails
Posted 06 June 2007 - 11:07 PM
Investment into learning when you're young, pays huge dividends in the future.
WxMan1
Posted 06 June 2007 - 11:49 PM
I was fortunate to go to Penn State from '88 to '92.
I say "fortunate" because I graduated from a high school in northern VA (West Springfield); the only reason why I was able to get in-state tuition was because my dad at the time was active duty in the Air Force and had been claiming PA as his home state. That meant in-statue tuition for me. At that time, it went from ~1600 a semester to ~2400 a semester when I left. Now I read it's a whopping $13,000/yr just for tuition alone for in state tuition. Out of state? How does $24K sound? Probably too rich for my blood nowadays.
http://www.psu.edu/s...ts.shtml?reload
One of the best decisions I made though while at PSU was to delay my graduation by a semester (Fall '92 instead of Spring '92) by applying for an 8 month COOP as a GS-4 (Student Trainee Met) for the then NMC (now NCEP) in Camp Springs Maryland. I hated to graduate later than I was supposed to, but in the end I was one lucky SOB in taking advantage of that COOP opportunity. That was the open door to the NWS after graduation, since I was already a 'status' employee (GS-5 upon graduating), with all my forms already in the system. That made it much easier for me to be picked up as an intern for the NWS the January ('93) after graduating in December. And since I was already in NOAA/NWS, my moving expenses were paid for, something that doesn't often happen for newly hired interns.
I say "fortunate" because I graduated from a high school in northern VA (West Springfield); the only reason why I was able to get in-state tuition was because my dad at the time was active duty in the Air Force and had been claiming PA as his home state. That meant in-statue tuition for me. At that time, it went from ~1600 a semester to ~2400 a semester when I left. Now I read it's a whopping $13,000/yr just for tuition alone for in state tuition. Out of state? How does $24K sound? Probably too rich for my blood nowadays.
http://www.psu.edu/s...ts.shtml?reload
One of the best decisions I made though while at PSU was to delay my graduation by a semester (Fall '92 instead of Spring '92) by applying for an 8 month COOP as a GS-4 (Student Trainee Met) for the then NMC (now NCEP) in Camp Springs Maryland. I hated to graduate later than I was supposed to, but in the end I was one lucky SOB in taking advantage of that COOP opportunity. That was the open door to the NWS after graduation, since I was already a 'status' employee (GS-5 upon graduating), with all my forms already in the system. That made it much easier for me to be picked up as an intern for the NWS the January ('93) after graduating in December. And since I was already in NOAA/NWS, my moving expenses were paid for, something that doesn't often happen for newly hired interns.
wxwatcher91
Posted 07 June 2007 - 01:55 PM
How would you rate Plymouth State University?
AtticaFanatica
Posted 07 June 2007 - 02:06 PM
wxwatcher91, on Jun 7 2007, 01:55 PM, said:
How would you rate Plymouth State University rated?
Most undergraduate programs are going to give you a good, and similar, education in meteorology. There seem to be plenty of good mets that come out of Plymouth State. Graduate school is definitely where different programs emphasize, and are better known for, different aspects of meteorology, and some are definitely better than others. But there can still be different emphasis in undergrad programs too. Where I went, there was a huge emphasis on math and physics, and that was huge for me in terms of getting into, and performing well, in grad school.
wxtracker93
Posted 07 June 2007 - 02:45 PM
Obviously I'm looking into the future here, but to get some type of idea where I would be looking, here are my interests in a met program. I love severe weather and mesoscale meteorology, as well as short and medium term forecasting. the Broadcasting field is my biggest goal. What colleges would you recommend?
AtticaFanatica
Posted 07 June 2007 - 02:56 PM
wxtracker93, on Jun 7 2007, 02:45 PM, said:
Obviously I'm looking into the future here, but to get some type of idea where I would be looking, here are my interests in a met program. I love severe weather and mesoscale meteorology, as well as short and medium term forecasting. the Broadcasting field is my biggest goal. What colleges would you recommend?
if you could stomach the distance, I would say OU, because they are the best for severe weather. The undergrad curriculum has a lot more severe weather taught than I ever got as an undergrad. I didn't come here for undergrad, but if you want to learn about (and see which is the best way to learn, IMO) severe weather, this is the place to be. Plenty of grads here go into broadcast, too, I believe, so I don't think that's a shortcoming. I think both the PSU's (Plymouth and Penn State) would be options as well. If you were thinking about grad school, my answer would be completely different, but if you're in for severe weather and broadcast, OU would be my first recommendation. Hope that helps.
LocoAko
Posted 07 June 2007 - 04:44 PM
I didn't read the beginning of the thread, but no one is mentioning Rutgers. 
While it seems is where I will end up. "Ending up" makes it sound so bad, but meh.
While it seems is where I will end up. "Ending up" makes it sound so bad, but meh.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 07 June 2007 - 04:57 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 7 2007, 04:44 PM, said:
I didn't read the beginning of the thread, but no one is mentioning Rutgers. While it seems is where I will end up. "Ending up" makes it sound so bad, but meh.
While it seems is where I will end up. "Ending up" makes it sound so bad, but meh.There are a lot of great posters here from RU, and all of them (with one exception I think) claim that the program is good and getting better. I'm sure you'll get a great education there.
MonsonWeather
Posted 07 June 2007 - 05:11 PM
AtticaFanatica, on Jun 7 2007, 03:56 PM, said:
if you could stomach the distance, I would say OU, because they are the best for severe weather. The undergrad curriculum has a lot more severe weather taught than I ever got as an undergrad. I didn't come here for undergrad, but if you want to learn about (and see which is the best way to learn, IMO) severe weather, this is the place to be. Plenty of grads here go into broadcast, too, I believe, so I don't think that's a shortcoming. I think both the PSU's (Plymouth and Penn State) would be options as well. If you were thinking about grad school, my answer would be completely different, but if you're in for severe weather and broadcast, OU would be my first recommendation. Hope that helps.
I'm now thinking OU as well, potentially. It is quite a ways away. Right now I plan on going into the NWS, though broadcasting is still in my mind, NWS seems/is much more stable than most broadcasting jobs. My big interest is severe wx, with winter weather a close second.
MSquared
Posted 07 June 2007 - 05:22 PM
wxwatcher91, on Jun 7 2007, 02:55 PM, said:
How would you rate Plymouth State University?
As a recent graduate of Plymouth State, all I can say is that it's an excellent program. The meteorology department is located in the new Boyd Science Center and has modern, state of the art facilities. There's an electronic map wall with 32 plasma monitors displaying live weather data, 24 PC Workstations (which they are upgrading this summer), a TV and Radio Studio, rooftop instruments, and a couple of nice classrooms. Plymouth is quite small compared to some of the larger met schools like Penn State, Florida State, OU, etc. Therefore you won't get lost in the crowd that easily. It is also a mostly undergraduate focused department, but they have a small Master's program in Applied Meteorology, which they started up in 2005. The professors are all very good at teaching the material and are willing to help students when approached. There are also many opportunities for undergraduate research. In fact, there are many undergrads in the department who are doing graduate level research!
The undergraduate program at Plymouth emphasizes a lot on the theory of meteorology and uses a lot of mathematics to develop many of the classical equations of dynamics, thermodynamics, and physical meteorology. However, there is also a strong component that uses the theory and applies it to a forecasting perspective. It is the right balance between theory and application. It is not an easy program, but you really do learn a lot.
Graduates of Plymouth have gone on to do many things, including working for the NWS, private sector companies, broadcasting, and graduate school. Numerous graduates of the program have attended many of the top graduate programs in meteorology and atmospheric science including, OU, Penn State (which is where I'm headed), SUNY Albany, Florida State, Utah, etc. I would strongly recommend it if you're interested in pursuing a career in meteorology. Please PM me if you have any additional questions.
stratuslove
Posted 07 June 2007 - 07:28 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 7 2007, 05:44 PM, said:
I didn't read the beginning of the thread, but no one is mentioning Rutgers. While it seems is where I will end up. "Ending up" makes it sound so bad, but meh.
While it seems is where I will end up. "Ending up" makes it sound so bad, but meh.Rutgers is a great school IF you dont need a lot of hand holding...meaning if you can figure things out on your own, and know when you need help- how to get it-then RU has a lot of great oppertunities. The program is small i would estimate out of the 40,000 undergrads, there are less than 100 undergrads in the department. We do have Tv studio, radio station, weather obs & research oppertunities. One of the best things at RU is that if you want an internship- you will get one. I am going into my senior year there, and i will be interning this summer in NYC for NY1 news; 1 classmate is interning at NWS mount holly, while another one is interning at NWS upton, and another is at NJ 12 news, just to name a few. (keep in mind there are 15 ppl in my class).
Education is really what you make of it. you can go to "the number one school" and just "go through the motions" and walk out with a meteo degree. but that doesnt really mean taht you have the best education. college really is all about getting involved and making the most of everything that is given to you. and if its not given to you- figuring out how to get it. If you are serious and interested in learing you will succeed where ever you end up going to school
AtticaFanatica
Posted 08 June 2007 - 12:13 PM
MonsonWeather, on Jun 7 2007, 05:11 PM, said:
I'm now thinking OU as well, potentially. It is quite a ways away. Right now I plan on going into the NWS, though broadcasting is still in my mind, NWS seems/is much more stable than most broadcasting jobs. My big interest is severe wx, with winter weather a close second.
Well, you won't get much winter weather down here (really wicked ice storms though, at least on a year it seems). Anyway, I think one of the greatest advantages OU has now is being in the National Weather Center (www.nwc.ou.edu), a $70 million building that opened in August. So SPC, NSSL, CIMMS, ROC, WDTB are all in the same building as the School of Meteorology, so most of the severe weather knowledge of the country is located in this one building (which is beautiful). All the meteorology classes are located here as well. Its great to be able to walk down one or two flights of stairs and see SPC at work, or chat with an NSSL scientist. Anyway, like I said, if severe weather is your thing, then this is the place to go. If you want winter weather or you're not sure, I'd suggest the PSU's. And if you were pretty sure you wanted to do grad school, I'd suggest Cornell above the others, which is where I went for undergrad.
MonsonWeather
Posted 09 June 2007 - 09:56 AM
AtticaFanatica, on Jun 8 2007, 01:13 PM, said:
Well, you won't get much winter weather down here (really wicked ice storms though, at least on a year it seems). Anyway, I think one of the greatest advantages OU has now is being in the National Weather Center (www.nwc.ou.edu), a $70 million building that opened in August. So SPC, NSSL, CIMMS, ROC, WDTB are all in the same building as the School of Meteorology, so most of the severe weather knowledge of the country is located in this one building (which is beautiful). All the meteorology classes are located here as well. Its great to be able to walk down one or two flights of stairs and see SPC at work, or chat with an NSSL scientist. Anyway, like I said, if severe weather is your thing, then this is the place to go. If you want winter weather or you're not sure, I'd suggest the PSU's. And if you were pretty sure you wanted to do grad school, I'd suggest Cornell above the others, which is where I went for undergrad.
How are the facilities at Cornell? How much actual meteorology do you do?How much math/physics. I know Cornell is a very good school, just curious as to how their met program is.
wxtracker93
Posted 09 June 2007 - 12:24 PM
MonsonWeather, on Jun 9 2007, 10:56 AM, said:
How are the facilities at Cornell? How much actual meteorology do you do?How much math/physics. I know Cornell is a very good school, just curious as to how their met program is.
yeah, to the best of my knowledge they do not offer Meteorology, but rather Atmospheric Sciences. I don't know how much of a difference there is; probably more of an emphasis towards the science aspect of the atmosphere and meteorology?
SacrydDreamz
Posted 09 June 2007 - 01:22 PM
wxtracker93, on Jun 9 2007, 12:24 PM, said:
yeah, to the best of my knowledge they do not offer Meteorology, but rather Atmospheric Sciences. I don't know how much of a difference there is; probably more of an emphasis towards the science aspect of the atmosphere and meteorology?
Meteorology is science
I think I know what your saying though..... but I don't think undergrad meteorology programs dwell on forecasting, or the 'art' of meteorology as much as some may think -- that said they all require the same core classes..... dynamics, thermodynamics, synoptic analysis, differential equations, etc.... the exception would be Mississippi State's broadcast meteorology program....
AtticaFanatica
Posted 09 June 2007 - 01:43 PM
MonsonWeather, on Jun 9 2007, 08:56 AM, said:
How are the facilities at Cornell? How much actual meteorology do you do?How much math/physics. I know Cornell is a very good school, just curious as to how their met program is.
The department is small (I graduated with 11 others I think). The department is completely geared toward the undergraduate program. There may be one or two grad students, but the department is pretty much solely devoted to undergrads, which is rare, and a big plus. Many of the big programs are geared toward the grad department and the undergrads are more of an afterthought, but its exactly the opposite at Cornell (much like Plymouth State, I'd imagine). The math and physics are very hard because they are taken in the engineering department, which is excellent, but you'll be well prepared. The meteorology is the same as any other department: dynamics, synoptic, mesoscale, thermodynamics, etc. There is not much forecasting (some senior year), and I think most would say the program is geared toward grad school. I'd say a majority of grads go onto grad school (several have gone to MIT, another is coming to OU next year, others have gone to PSU and Washington). But there have been a bunch who have gone into broadcast and been successful (see Jeff Smith already in NYC and he's 26). Anyway, if you want to go to grad school, I'd highly recommend it.
And the degree is in atmospheric science instead of meteorology, which means absolutely nothing, its really the same thing.
wxtracker93
Posted 09 June 2007 - 08:38 PM
AtticaFanatica, on Jun 9 2007, 02:43 PM, said:
The department is small (I graduated with 11 others I think). The department is completely geared toward the undergraduate program. There may be one or two grad students, but the department is pretty much solely devoted to undergrads, which is rare, and a big plus. Many of the big programs are geared toward the grad department and the undergrads are more of an afterthought, but its exactly the opposite at Cornell (much like Plymouth State, I'd imagine). The math and physics are very hard because they are taken in the engineering department, which is excellent, but you'll be well prepared. The meteorology is the same as any other department: dynamics, synoptic, mesoscale, thermodynamics, etc. There is not much forecasting (some senior year), and I think most would say the program is geared toward grad school. I was told by my advisor at OU that the #1 reason I got the offer from him that I did was because I went to Cornell and did well. I'd say a majority of grads go onto grad school (several have gone to MIT, another is coming to OU next year, others have gone to PSU and Washington). But there have been a bunch who have gone into broadcast and been successful (see Jeff Smith already in NYC and he's 26). Anyway, if you want to go to grad school, I'd highly recommend it.
And the degree is in atmospheric science instead of meteorology, which means absolutely nothing, its really the same thing.
And the degree is in atmospheric science instead of meteorology, which means absolutely nothing, its really the same thing.
Lee Goldberg, also from WABC, is a Cornell alumnus.
Scotty Lightning
Posted 09 June 2007 - 08:53 PM
No one has mentioned Kean at all.....
spiffybeth
Posted 09 June 2007 - 10:42 PM
ScottTheNiceGuy, on Jun 9 2007, 09:53 PM, said:
No one has mentioned Kean at all.....
basically, nobody outside of nj has heard of kean.
LocoAko
Posted 09 June 2007 - 10:55 PM
wxtracker93, on Jun 9 2007, 09:38 PM, said:
Lee Goldberg, also from WABC, is a Cornell alumnus.
So is Jeff Beradelli and that new guy on ABC7.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 10 June 2007 - 12:18 AM
LocoAko, on Jun 9 2007, 09:55 PM, said:
So is Jeff Beradelli and that new guy on ABC7.
Yeah, that's Jeff Smith.
NorEaster27
Posted 10 June 2007 - 01:34 AM
The math and physics is not fun
LocoAko
Posted 10 June 2007 - 08:13 AM
I keep wondering about Cornell. I'm applying but I highly doubt I'm getting in. 
Even if I did I don't know if I'd have the money (well, I know I wouldn't, I am just curious if it would be worth going through the trouble to still put myself through it) among other things. My mom doesn't even seem thrilled about it. I'm guessing Rutgers is my number one realistic choice. Too much of a steal for NJ residents.
I was thinking... Cornell is a very hard school. If meteorology is already hard enough as a major, wouldn't going to Cornell make it more difficult? I hope I'm not trying to sound like I'm taking the easy way out but I definitely don't want to fail out of met. I've always been told a degree is a degree and that it just depends on specifics of what you do at the school (internships, etc). But is there a real advantage of going to Cornell?
I can't believe NYU has an East Caribbean Studies major, but not Meteorology.
How silly is that.
Even if I did I don't know if I'd have the money (well, I know I wouldn't, I am just curious if it would be worth going through the trouble to still put myself through it) among other things. My mom doesn't even seem thrilled about it. I'm guessing Rutgers is my number one realistic choice. Too much of a steal for NJ residents.I was thinking... Cornell is a very hard school. If meteorology is already hard enough as a major, wouldn't going to Cornell make it more difficult? I hope I'm not trying to sound like I'm taking the easy way out but I definitely don't want to fail out of met. I've always been told a degree is a degree and that it just depends on specifics of what you do at the school (internships, etc). But is there a real advantage of going to Cornell?
I can't believe NYU has an East Caribbean Studies major, but not Meteorology.
How silly is that.
spiffybeth
Posted 10 June 2007 - 09:01 AM
the overall reputation of cornell is better than the overall reputation of rutgers. and the math at cornell might be more difficult. but dont shun rutgers. the school is actually very good with tons of great opportunities. in some paper, some time ago, it was written that rutgers is the only state school (i think) to ever turn down the opportunity to go ivy league.
and whoever told you that internships are much more important is right. if getting a job comes down to a kid from rutgers and a kid from cornell, they arent going to toss out the rutgers kid simply for the fact that he went to rutgers.
the advantage of going to cornell is to say you went to cornell. thats all.
and whoever told you that internships are much more important is right. if getting a job comes down to a kid from rutgers and a kid from cornell, they arent going to toss out the rutgers kid simply for the fact that he went to rutgers.
the advantage of going to cornell is to say you went to cornell. thats all.
Eskimo Joe
Posted 10 June 2007 - 09:22 AM
InfectedCabbage, on Jan 22 2006, 09:53 PM, said:
A list of some undergraduate, as far as I know, atmospheric science programs
NC State Atmospheric Science
http://www.meas.ncsu...p-ug-atmos.html
Colorado State Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.colostate.edu/
Florida State Meteorology
http://www.met.fsu.edu/
St. Louis University Meteorology
http://www.eas.slu.e...rams/metug.html
Penn State Meteorology
http://www.met.psu.edu/
University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.uiuc.edu/
University of Hawai'i Meteorology
http://lumahai.soest...logy/index.html
University of Missouri Atmospheric Science
http://www.snr.misso...as/seascur.html
University of Michigan Meteorology
http://aoss.engin.umich.edu/go/index.php?i...id2=1&id3=2
Ohio State Atmospheric Science
http://asp1.sbs.ohio-state.edu/
Oklahoma Meteorology
http://weather.ou.edu/
Oregon State Atmospheric Science
http://www.coas.oregonstate.edu/
Rutgers Meteorology
http://envsci.rutger...ms/met_ug.shtml
University of Washington Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/
Purdue Atmospheric Science
http://www.purdue.edu/eas/
NC State Atmospheric Science
http://www.meas.ncsu...p-ug-atmos.html
Colorado State Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.colostate.edu/
Florida State Meteorology
http://www.met.fsu.edu/
St. Louis University Meteorology
http://www.eas.slu.e...rams/metug.html
Penn State Meteorology
http://www.met.psu.edu/
University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.uiuc.edu/
University of Hawai'i Meteorology
http://lumahai.soest...logy/index.html
University of Missouri Atmospheric Science
http://www.snr.misso...as/seascur.html
University of Michigan Meteorology
http://aoss.engin.umich.edu/go/index.php?i...id2=1&id3=2
Ohio State Atmospheric Science
http://asp1.sbs.ohio-state.edu/
Oklahoma Meteorology
http://weather.ou.edu/
Oregon State Atmospheric Science
http://www.coas.oregonstate.edu/
Rutgers Meteorology
http://envsci.rutger...ms/met_ug.shtml
University of Washington Atmospheric Science
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/
Purdue Atmospheric Science
http://www.purdue.edu/eas/
neg-nao, on Jan 22 2006, 10:04 PM, said:
Wow ! thanks i'm saving this list
I'm gonna add Millersville U's Dept. of Earth Sciences
http://muweb.millersville.edu/~esci/
rwlightbown
Posted 10 June 2007 - 09:36 AM
What are the opinions on Millersville U from those that are going there now or have graduated?? How competitive and how hard is it to get accepted?? how good are the professors?? I'm an old man (33 years old) to be going back to school and especially for transferring to another part of the country (From Maine to Pennsylvania). But life's experiences have prevented me from going back to school for meteorology. My other half is now going to the University of Maine for Social Work and will be graduating in Spring of 2009, so it'll be a couple of years til I get there. Unfortunately, one of us has to work full-time to pay bills and stuff (It's me for now) and that role will be reversed when I go back to school in 2009. I guess you're never too old to go back to school.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 10 June 2007 - 12:10 PM
spiffybeth, on Jun 10 2007, 08:01 AM, said:
the advantage of going to cornell is to say you went to cornell. thats all.
If you're going to grad school, the advantages are numerous because faculty look at not only how well you did but the quality of your education, and your math and physics background (which is why physics and math majors are often the first choice of met. grad schools because they know they'll be able to handle the math and physics). I didn't have close to 4.0 (but still did well), but I think I got the offer I did partly because of the quality of the math and physics program.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 10 June 2007 - 12:22 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 10 2007, 07:13 AM, said:
I was thinking... Cornell is a very hard school. If meteorology is already hard enough as a major, wouldn't going to Cornell make it more difficult? I hope I'm not trying to sound like I'm taking the easy way out but I definitely don't want to fail out of met. I've always been told a degree is a degree and that it just depends on specifics of what you do at the school (internships, etc). But is there a real advantage of going to Cornell?
I can't believe NYU has an East Caribbean Studies major, but not Meteorology. How silly is that.
I can't believe NYU has an East Caribbean Studies major, but not Meteorology.
How silly is that.I understand what you're saying. I think what I'm trying to get across is that if you have any idea what you want to eventually do, it should influence your choice. Your concerns about difficulty are well-founded, meteorology is hard to begin with, and its really hard when the math and physics make your first two years even harder, and there are people who fail out (usually people who weren't dead set on meteorology in the first place, unlike yourself). If you think you're going to grad school, I would recommend it. If you think you don't want to go into research and/or grad school, and want to go into forecasting or something else, it'd probably not be worth it to you.
spiffybeth
Posted 10 June 2007 - 12:24 PM
AtticaFanatica, on Jun 10 2007, 01:10 PM, said:
Sorry, that's just not true. If you're going to grad school, the advantages are numerous because faculty look at not only how well you did but the quality of your education, and your math and physics background (which is why physics and math majors are often the first choice of met. grad schools because they know they'll be able to handle the math and physics). I didn't have close to 4.0 (but still did well), but I got the offer I did because of the school I went to, plain and simple. The advantage of going to Cornell is a large one if you're applying to grad school.
you think the quality of the education at rutgers is bad?
thats just sad.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 10 June 2007 - 12:27 PM
spiffybeth, on Jun 10 2007, 11:24 AM, said:
you think the quality of the education at rutgers is bad?
thats just sad.
thats just sad.
AtticaFanatica, on Jun 7 2007, 03:57 PM, said:
There are a lot of great posters here from RU, and all of them (with one exception I think) claim that the program is good and getting better. I'm sure you'll get a great education there.
I didn't say that at all, quite the opposite. I was just emphasizing the advantages of a program I'm familiar with.
spiffybeth
Posted 10 June 2007 - 12:29 PM
AtticaFanatica, on Jun 10 2007, 01:10 PM, said:
Sorry, that's just not true. If you're going to grad school, the advantages are numerous because faculty look at not only how well you did but the quality of your education, and your math and physics background (which is why physics and math majors are often the first choice of met. grad schools because they know they'll be able to handle the math and physics). I didn't have close to 4.0 (but still did well), but I got the offer I did (above many others who had 4.0's) because of the school I went to, plain and simple. The advantage of going to Cornell is a large one if you're applying to grad school.
your implication is that if you had gone to rutgers and gotten the same GPA, you wouldnt have got into whatever school you go/went to. you get the same advantages going to rutgers.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 10 June 2007 - 12:34 PM
spiffybeth, on Jun 10 2007, 11:29 AM, said:
your implication is that if you had gone to rutgers and gotten the same GPA, you wouldnt have got into whatever school you go/went to. you get the same advantages going to rutgers.
Well, not every single program is exactly equal in all areas, you know? I think Cornell is severely lacking in forecasting, but believe its one of the best in terms of grad school preparation. I would not recommend Cornell to someone who is interested in severe weather and forecasting, for example, or tropical meteorology and forecasting, but to someone who is going to grad school, absolutely.
LocoAko
Posted 10 June 2007 - 09:38 PM
Yikes. Well I was definitely planning on going into forecasting, preferably for the NWS. I know it's hard to get into but I was under the impression they usually just want B.S.'s. I haven't really even thought about grad school (gotta get through undergrad first! ). However, I was planning on going into operational forecasting, such as the NWS. So I suppose in that case you'd recommend Rutgers > Cornell?
I guess I've always aimed high in school and I'd feel ridiculous getting accepted into an Ivy League and not going. But I don't know.
). However, I was planning on going into operational forecasting, such as the NWS. So I suppose in that case you'd recommend Rutgers > Cornell?I guess I've always aimed high in school and I'd feel ridiculous getting accepted into an Ivy League and not going. But I don't know.
spiffybeth
Posted 10 June 2007 - 09:47 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 10 2007, 10:38 PM, said:
Yikes. Well I was definitely planning on going into forecasting, preferably for the NWS. I know it's hard to get into but I was under the impression they usually just want B.S.'s. I haven't really even thought about grad school (gotta get through undergrad first! ). However, I was planning on going into operational forecasting, such as the NWS. So I suppose in that case you'd recommend Rutgers > Cornell?
I guess I've always aimed high in school and I'd feel ridiculous getting accepted into an Ivy League and not going. But I don't know.
). However, I was planning on going into operational forecasting, such as the NWS. So I suppose in that case you'd recommend Rutgers > Cornell?I guess I've always aimed high in school and I'd feel ridiculous getting accepted into an Ivy League and not going. But I don't know.
rutgers isnt known for its forecasting though it is supposed to improve in the next couple of years. we are huge into global climate change research. but, you can go to rutgers and become a forecaster and im sure the same for cornell but that isnt either one's strongest suit.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 10 June 2007 - 10:05 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 10 2007, 08:38 PM, said:
Yikes. Well I was definitely planning on going into forecasting, preferably for the NWS. I know it's hard to get into but I was under the impression they usually just want B.S.'s. I haven't really even thought about grad school (gotta get through undergrad first! ). However, I was planning on going into operational forecasting, such as the NWS. So I suppose in that case you'd recommend Rutgers > Cornell?
I guess I've always aimed high in school and I'd feel ridiculous getting accepted into an Ivy League and not going. But I don't know.
). However, I was planning on going into operational forecasting, such as the NWS. So I suppose in that case you'd recommend Rutgers > Cornell?I guess I've always aimed high in school and I'd feel ridiculous getting accepted into an Ivy League and not going. But I don't know.
Its worth applying to both, I personally don't think you'd be shorting yourself if you went to Cornell for forecasting either, but I know its not the program's forte, and I'm trying to be honest about the strengths and weaknesses of the program. I really don't know enough about RU to comment about the forecasting aspect of the program (there are plenty of great mets here from RU who could tell you more). I don't think it hurts to apply to as many programs as possible.
RiemannSun
Posted 10 June 2007 - 10:34 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 10 2007, 10:38 PM, said:
Well I was definitely planning on going into forecasting, preferably for the NWS. I know it's hard to get into but I was under the impression they usually just want B.S.'s.
I think it's the opposite, especially with it getting harder and harder to get into the NWS. I've been told that having a master's helps a lot. The more education, the better. I suppose getting an internship, etc. might offset this practice, but I really don't know.
Personally, I'd think that continuing your education would be the more enjoyable thing to do. You can hold off on paying the student loans (should you have any -- I have plenty already) until you're done with school. [And since you've continued your education, you could get a higher-paying job, making it easier to pay off the loans.] Since meteo is a research-oriented field, you can get paid to do research/be a TA/and of course take classes. As long as you have a good professor with whom to do research, (and the classes are manageable, of course), it'd probably be worth it, imo.
TNE
Posted 10 June 2007 - 11:12 PM
RiemannSun, on Jun 10 2007, 11:34 PM, said:
I think it's the opposite, especially with it getting harder and harder to get into the NWS. I've been told that having a master's helps a lot. The more education, the better. I suppose getting an internship, etc. might offset this practice, but I really don't know.
Personally, I'd think that continuing your education would be the more enjoyable thing to do. You can hold off on paying the student loans (should you have any -- I have plenty already) until you're done with school. [And since you've continued your education, you could get a higher-paying job, making it easier to pay off the loans.] Since meteo is a research-oriented field, you can get paid to do research/be a TA/and of course take classes. As long as you have a good professor with whom to do research, (and the classes are manageable, of course), it'd probably be worth it, imo.
Personally, I'd think that continuing your education would be the more enjoyable thing to do. You can hold off on paying the student loans (should you have any -- I have plenty already) until you're done with school. [And since you've continued your education, you could get a higher-paying job, making it easier to pay off the loans.] Since meteo is a research-oriented field, you can get paid to do research/be a TA/and of course take classes. As long as you have a good professor with whom to do research, (and the classes are manageable, of course), it'd probably be worth it, imo.
it depends... the employer wants to earn some money too, so in most cases the person who is BEST FIT and who is able to learn/comprehend the required task will get the job.
i am goign into business and i already have two jobs in that field, but i will most certainly major in meteorology at Cook college later on...hopefully achieving a balance along the road (taking evening classes at Chubb (etc..) and gaining experience along the way)..but i wont waste MUCH time going for ONE specific qualification, I will just gain some insight and move on..
I am in it for the money, the sooner the better...(the fun comes later!)
Doppler Bob
Posted 11 June 2007 - 06:21 AM
Neg,
As a met. grad who worked in admissions I can tell you that two different people that come to the same school for the exact same major who take the exact same classes can get two totally different educations, regardless of how good or bad the school is.
I looked at Penn State and could most likely have gotten in, but decided against it because of the size. I actually looked at Oswego once and it didn't impress me (I went on a summer tour, no students, few professors to talk to, didn't get to see the "feel" of the school), and it took an open house for me to see it in a totally different light. Once I spoke to students and professors, I got a much better feel for the program, and of the three schools I looked at, Oswego was what I wanted most.
Narrow down the genre of the science that you want. If you want NWS, obviously a forecasting school is for you. TV... well you could essentially go anywhere, but a few schools have pretty good communications programs that would certainly aid in on-air development (shameless plug, but Oswego was great in that respect, and they have a BRAND NEW facility now.) Check out the school's relationship with possible internship sites, because chances are that if you don't have experience out of college, well good luck finding a job.
Overall, you need a school that has a good blend of education, experience and yes, Fun. If you aren't having fun, you'll have a terrible time in school. I went to a school in my backyard, paid a very reasonable tuition, and if I had to go back I wouldn't change a thing. Just weigh out your options as best you can. You're the only person that can say which school is number 1 for you, just take your time deciding, it really is the best four years of your life.
As a met. grad who worked in admissions I can tell you that two different people that come to the same school for the exact same major who take the exact same classes can get two totally different educations, regardless of how good or bad the school is.
I looked at Penn State and could most likely have gotten in, but decided against it because of the size. I actually looked at Oswego once and it didn't impress me (I went on a summer tour, no students, few professors to talk to, didn't get to see the "feel" of the school), and it took an open house for me to see it in a totally different light. Once I spoke to students and professors, I got a much better feel for the program, and of the three schools I looked at, Oswego was what I wanted most.
Narrow down the genre of the science that you want. If you want NWS, obviously a forecasting school is for you. TV... well you could essentially go anywhere, but a few schools have pretty good communications programs that would certainly aid in on-air development (shameless plug, but Oswego was great in that respect, and they have a BRAND NEW facility now.) Check out the school's relationship with possible internship sites, because chances are that if you don't have experience out of college, well good luck finding a job.
Overall, you need a school that has a good blend of education, experience and yes, Fun. If you aren't having fun, you'll have a terrible time in school. I went to a school in my backyard, paid a very reasonable tuition, and if I had to go back I wouldn't change a thing. Just weigh out your options as best you can. You're the only person that can say which school is number 1 for you, just take your time deciding, it really is the best four years of your life.
RiemannSun
Posted 11 June 2007 - 12:01 PM
I just remembered: if any of you have very high PSAT/NMSQT scores, good Lord, please check out OU. They offer full rides to National Merit finalists (who are chosen much more on academic merit than community service type things). You would probably get mail from them as long as you marked that universities/colleges are allowed to send you mail on your answer sheet. State cut-offs, as of 2005 (these numbers don't change much with time): http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showpo...amp;postcount=6
clearwx
Posted 11 June 2007 - 12:22 PM
Ok, Then. I have read with great interest the opinions and experiences each had to share. I want to add my name to the list here of those thinking of a school for meteorology. My questions are a bit different, however. I'd like to get the opinion of each NWS met here.
First, after obtaining a B.S. in meteorology, how difficult is it right now (or for that matter, 3 or 4 years from now) getting a job with the NWS?
How long does it typically take to advance once you are employed?
What are the main disadvantages in employment with NWS? I can imagine shiftwork being the worst, but would appreciate input from those on this board.
Thanks!!
First, after obtaining a B.S. in meteorology, how difficult is it right now (or for that matter, 3 or 4 years from now) getting a job with the NWS?
How long does it typically take to advance once you are employed?
What are the main disadvantages in employment with NWS? I can imagine shiftwork being the worst, but would appreciate input from those on this board.
Thanks!!
LocoAko
Posted 11 June 2007 - 05:33 PM
RiemannSun, on Jun 11 2007, 01:01 PM, said:
I just remembered: if any of you have very high PSAT/NMSQT scores, good Lord, please check out OU. They offer full rides to National Merit finalists (who are chosen much more on academic merit than community service type things). You would probably get mail from them as long as you marked that universities/colleges are allowed to send you mail on your answer sheet. State cut-offs, as of 2005 (these numbers don't change much with time): http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showpo...amp;postcount=6
Wow, really? I put below the thread about mine.
http://www.easternuswx.com/bb/index.php?sh...76&hl=merit
I got a 2060 and was selected for the NMSQT. I wasn't picked to actually receive the scholarship (I believe Trixie said only a few of the chosen do) but I go to pick the colleges like you saw there. On my PSAT I did put to send me information and have been recieving information from tons of colleges, just not OU.
I'm a little confused. I hadn't even given OU a second look suince it is in Oklahoma, etc. (No offense ). But hm.
brettjrob
Posted 11 June 2007 - 05:55 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 11 2007, 05:33 PM, said:
Wow, really? I put below the thread about mine.
http://www.easternuswx.com/bb/index.php?sh...76&hl=merit
I got a 2060 and was selected for the NMSQT. I wasn't picked to actually receive the scholarship (I believe Trixie said only a few of the chosen do) but I go to pick the colleges like you saw there. On my PSAT I did put to send me information and have been recieving information from tons of colleges, just not OU. I'm a little confused. I hadn't even given OU a second look suince it is in Oklahoma, etc. (No offense ). But hm.
http://www.easternuswx.com/bb/index.php?sh...76&hl=merit
I got a 2060 and was selected for the NMSQT. I wasn't picked to actually receive the scholarship (I believe Trixie said only a few of the chosen do) but I go to pick the colleges like you saw there. On my PSAT I did put to send me information and have been recieving information from tons of colleges, just not OU.
I'm a little confused. I hadn't even given OU a second look suince it is in Oklahoma, etc. (No offense ). But hm.OU offers a near full-ride to any NMSQT finalist in order to attract excellent students who, like yourself, would otherwise never consider something "in Oklahoma"
. It's extremely lucky for a select few like me that they also have one of the top meteorology programs in the nation.I find the method of selection for NMSQT grossly unfair, because they attempt to get an even geographic distribution by setting each state's cutoff score independently. If you had taken your PSAT last year in Mississippi or West Virginia, you'd almost surely be looking at finalist status with the 2060. I think it's BS, but oh well... if you're not considering OU anyway, it has minimal effect on you.
Clark
Posted 11 June 2007 - 06:34 PM
brettjrob, on Jun 11 2007, 06:55 PM, said:
OU offers a near full-ride to any NMSQT finalist in order to attract excellent students who, like yourself, would otherwise never consider something "in Oklahoma" . It's extremely lucky for a select few like me that they also have one of the top meteorology programs in the nation.
I find the method of selection for NMSQT grossly unfair, because they attempt to get an even geographic distribution by setting each state's cutoff score independently. If you had taken your PSAT last year in Mississippi or West Virginia, you'd almost surely be looking at finalist status with the 2060. I think it's BS, but oh well... if you're not considering OU anyway, it has minimal effect on you.
. It's extremely lucky for a select few like me that they also have one of the top meteorology programs in the nation.I find the method of selection for NMSQT grossly unfair, because they attempt to get an even geographic distribution by setting each state's cutoff score independently. If you had taken your PSAT last year in Mississippi or West Virginia, you'd almost surely be looking at finalist status with the 2060. I think it's BS, but oh well... if you're not considering OU anyway, it has minimal effect on you.
FSU does the same, or at least did when I entered college 6 years ago.
And I know all about the NMSQT cutoff scores...from personal experience. In 47 states, I would've been a National Merit Finalist. I had a bad day and picked the wrong state to be in with Florida, though, and alas...no such luck. My HS calculus teacher used to call us "Mississippi Merit Scholars" because, truly, we would've been finalists if we were in Mississippi.
LocoAko
Posted 11 June 2007 - 06:50 PM
brettjrob, on Jun 11 2007, 06:55 PM, said:
OU offers a near full-ride to any NMSQT finalist in order to attract excellent students who, like yourself, would otherwise never consider something "in Oklahoma" . It's extremely lucky for a select few like me that they also have one of the top meteorology programs in the nation.
I find the method of selection for NMSQT grossly unfair, because they attempt to get an even geographic distribution by setting each state's cutoff score independently. If you had taken your PSAT last year in Mississippi or West Virginia, you'd almost surely be looking at finalist status with the 2060. I think it's BS, but oh well... if you're not considering OU anyway, it has minimal effect on you.
. It's extremely lucky for a select few like me that they also have one of the top meteorology programs in the nation.I find the method of selection for NMSQT grossly unfair, because they attempt to get an even geographic distribution by setting each state's cutoff score independently. If you had taken your PSAT last year in Mississippi or West Virginia, you'd almost surely be looking at finalist status with the 2060. I think it's BS, but oh well... if you're not considering OU anyway, it has minimal effect on you.
Wow, Brett. I'm a little confused -- would I qualify for this "free ride", or no? This whole process confuses me. And that's really not fair how they do it.
I never considered OU because it was in Oklahoma and if I was going to be paying a lot for it, why not just go to Rutgers? If it's free or whatever it'd be, though, I'd defintiely consider it a lot more.
And also - do any schools (OU, RU, Cornell, etc) require SAT II's, ACTs, or anything? Or just the regular SATs?
wxtracker93
Posted 11 June 2007 - 07:12 PM
I thought I'd throw out a question...again ....OU has been interesting me considering I love severe weather and mesoscale meteorology, however how is OU in terms of Forecasting? I don't want to go into research and I don't intend (at least at this point) to go to grad school; as I mentioned before, broadcast is my top choice.
....OU has been interesting me considering I love severe weather and mesoscale meteorology, however how is OU in terms of Forecasting? I don't want to go into research and I don't intend (at least at this point) to go to grad school; as I mentioned before, broadcast is my top choice.
brettjrob
Posted 11 June 2007 - 07:36 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 11 2007, 06:50 PM, said:
Wow, Brett. I'm a little confused -- would I qualify for this "free ride", or no? This whole process confuses me. And that's really not fair how they do it.
If you were a junior last year and you're sure you didn't make Finalist status, then you won't qualify for the National Merit package at OU - therefore, you probably wouldn't be getting any money from the school itself, so from a financial perspective, you'd be no better off than at Rutgers. Out-of-state here is about as cheap as any public university in the country, but probably still not any cheaper than in-state RU.
Quote
I never considered OU because it was in Oklahoma and if I was going to be paying a lot for it, why not just go to Rutgers? If it's free or whatever it'd be, though, I'd defintiely consider it a lot more.
And also - do any schools (OU, RU, Cornell, etc) require SAT II's, ACTs, or anything? Or just the regular SATs?
And also - do any schools (OU, RU, Cornell, etc) require SAT II's, ACTs, or anything? Or just the regular SATs?
I know OU doesn't require anything besides SAT or ACT, and I would suspect the same for Rutgers. I looked into applying to Cornell and I believe they did require SAT II, but I could be wrong.
brettjrob
Posted 11 June 2007 - 07:39 PM
wxtracker93, on Jun 11 2007, 07:12 PM, said:
I thought I'd throw out a question...again ....OU has been interesting me considering I love severe weather and mesoscale meteorology, however how is OU in terms of Forecasting? I don't want to go into research and I don't intend (at least at this point) to go to grad school; as I mentioned before, broadcast is my top choice.
....OU has been interesting me considering I love severe weather and mesoscale meteorology, however how is OU in terms of Forecasting? I don't want to go into research and I don't intend (at least at this point) to go to grad school; as I mentioned before, broadcast is my top choice.I'm only halfway through undergrad here, but my impression is that forecasting is not a primary focus of the program. There is a synoptic class senior year which deals with a lot of forecasting topics, but aside from that, it's lots of math and physics. That said, I believe there are plenty of graduates here who go into forecasting jobs, so don't write it off completely if severe weather is really your thing, because this is the place to be if you want to experience and learn about it.
LocoAko
Posted 11 June 2007 - 08:26 PM
brettjrob, on Jun 11 2007, 08:36 PM, said:
If you were a junior last year and you're sure you didn't make Finalist status, then you won't qualify for the National Merit package at OU - therefore, you probably wouldn't be getting any money from the school itself, so from a financial perspective, you'd be no better off than at Rutgers. Out-of-state here is about as cheap as any public university in the country, but probably still not any cheaper than in-state RU.
I know OU doesn't require anything besides SAT or ACT, and I would suspect the same for Rutgers. I looked into applying to Cornell and I believe they did require SAT II, but I could be wrong.
I know OU doesn't require anything besides SAT or ACT, and I would suspect the same for Rutgers. I looked into applying to Cornell and I believe they did require SAT II, but I could be wrong.
Ah ok. I'm actually a Junior this year. Thanks for your help. I don't know what is considered finalist status, but I don't know if I made it. Thanks.
WindRunner
Posted 11 June 2007 - 10:25 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 11 2007, 09:26 PM, said:
Ah ok. I'm actually a Junior this year. Thanks for your help. I don't know what is considered finalist status, but I don't know if I made it. Thanks.
You find out in the fall of your senior year what award, if any, you get. After taking the test as a junior, they will award you with whatever ranking (commended student/semi-finalist/finalist, etc.) in September. I got a "commended student" here in VA, though my score would have done much better in most any other state. Don't remember what it was, but all the numbers kind of blend together after senior year . . .
Speaking of schools, I know coming from the mid-Atlantic in a state where there is no in-state meteorology schools, I had a long, hard look at the east coast's schools, primarily those within a days' drive of northern Virginia. Hence I applied to PSU, FSU, NC State, and SUNY Albany. After deciding that FSU was too far away - broke my little tropical met heart - I had it "narrowed" down to PSU or Albany. Visiting PSU first, I got the feeling that it was a very nice and somewhat large department at Penn State. Initially, I liked it, especially with Dr. Nese giving the tour (not in to broadcast, but he is a nice guy). Facilities were quite nice with the map room having both the LCD and paper displays in addition to the nice broadcast setup across the hall. The twenty or so of us on the tour made the rooms kind of tight, but I didn't care. Then I went up to Albany. Noticeably different atmosphere up there (no pun intended . . .). The group of kids in the department (sophomores through seniors) was about a fifth of what PSU had. Our "tour" . . . consisted of three people talking with the intro professor in a map room quite similar to PSU's, only smaller. And his entire talk was about the forecasting contest they were doing so well in . . . all of that combined into what I thought was right for me. To pile on top, Albany out-of-state is significantly cheaper than PSU out-of-state - about one-third cheaper, to be exact. Hence I'll be heading up to Albany in the fall . . . and with the AP credits, I'll be going in as a sophomore . . . so taking all those AP courses actually did pay off!
The other plus about Albany, and I believe PSU had a similar feature as well, is that it offers an accelerated MS program . . . where you get your BS after three and a half years and your MS after five. Really helps in a field where that extra degree can get you a leg up when it comes to that job search. Another good point about Albany's program is that like NC State, they have the WFO on campus, and, in fact, about half of the department's faculty are actually doing research in the CESTM that is connected to the WFO. Interning over with the NWS is a requirement at some point in the undergraduate degree, and other paid positions are offered to students at the school with a good amount of frequency. Anyway, enough rambling . . . the point is, once you visit a school and talk to people and see all that the program has to offer, it can make a huge difference in your choice. There is no better way to help you decide then to visit the school(s) you are considering.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 11 June 2007 - 10:26 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 11 2007, 05:50 PM, said:
And also - do any schools (OU, RU, Cornell, etc) require SAT II's, ACTs, or anything? Or just the regular SATs?
When I applied to Cornell, an SATII in a science was "encouraged", but I never took one, so I guess it wasn't that big of a deal. Not sure if its still the same or what the other requirements are.
MEkster
Posted 11 June 2007 - 10:28 PM
Hey attica - Who's your advisor down there at OU? It's not Jerry Straka is it?
SnowGoose69
Posted 12 June 2007 - 12:24 AM
brettjrob, on Jun 11 2007, 06:55 PM, said:
OU offers a near full-ride to any NMSQT finalist in order to attract excellent students who, like yourself, would otherwise never consider something "in Oklahoma" . It's extremely lucky for a select few like me that they also have one of the top meteorology programs in the nation.
I find the method of selection for NMSQT grossly unfair, because they attempt to get an even geographic distribution by setting each state's cutoff score independently. If you had taken your PSAT last year in Mississippi or West Virginia, you'd almost surely be looking at finalist status with the 2060. I think it's BS, but oh well... if you're not considering OU anyway, it has minimal effect on you.
. It's extremely lucky for a select few like me that they also have one of the top meteorology programs in the nation.I find the method of selection for NMSQT grossly unfair, because they attempt to get an even geographic distribution by setting each state's cutoff score independently. If you had taken your PSAT last year in Mississippi or West Virginia, you'd almost surely be looking at finalist status with the 2060. I think it's BS, but oh well... if you're not considering OU anyway, it has minimal effect on you.
The only question I'd ask you Brett is if the rumor I hear from many here in OK that I work with who attended OU is that there simply is very little forecasting taught. I wouldnt be too surprised given most of the "bigger" schools seem to be more focused on the math and pure theory aspect...thats the general consensus I've gotten from those who went to Arizona, Wisconsin (some have told me there was absolutely zero forecasting taught), Penn State, and FSU....the smaller schools almost always seem to be more forecasting oriented.
NorEaster27
Posted 12 June 2007 - 12:33 AM
AtticaFanatica, on Jun 11 2007, 11:26 PM, said:
When I applied to Cornell, an SATII in a science was "encouraged", but I never took one, so I guess it wasn't that big of a deal. Not sure if its still the same or what the other requirements are.
I never took one either and here I am
but most of my friends at Cornell did.
JagMetWxDude
Posted 12 June 2007 - 01:16 AM
Im heading off to the University of South Alabama to major in Meteorology, this fall. Mobile, AL seems to be a target for tropical systems these past few years so it should be really interesting going down there. Plus, another major weather upside, its one of the wettest places in the United States. The program according to Dr. Williams is the 9th largest in the country, the program started in 1991.
http://www.southalab...ogy/index1.html
http://www.southalab...ogy/index1.html
LocoAko
Posted 12 June 2007 - 06:23 AM
Ah, OK. Then I guess I won't take them.
It sounds to me like almost all schools don't teach forecasting. Which of course sucks, but I guess that's just how it goes for almost all the schools. What schools actually ARE known for focusing on forecasting? If I find out later what I was then I'm most definitely positive I'm not a finalist. But like you said, I probably could have been in almost any other state. Oh well. It is what it is I guess. I'd really like to do forecasting but if I could get an NWS job with a Rutgers degree then I guess I can put up with only math and physics for 4 years. Theory is always interesting too.
Too many choices. I'm still thinking RU is a good bet for me considering I'll probably want to go to Grad School, so it'd be advantageous to not blow all my money on Undergrad I'd assume. But then again, Cornell is Cornell. Blah.
Guess we'll have to see what happens.
It sounds to me like almost all schools don't teach forecasting. Which of course sucks, but I guess that's just how it goes for almost all the schools. What schools actually ARE known for focusing on forecasting? If I find out later what I was then I'm most definitely positive I'm not a finalist. But like you said, I probably could have been in almost any other state.
Oh well. It is what it is I guess. I'd really like to do forecasting but if I could get an NWS job with a Rutgers degree then I guess I can put up with only math and physics for 4 years. Theory is always interesting too. Too many choices. I'm still thinking RU is a good bet for me considering I'll probably want to go to Grad School, so it'd be advantageous to not blow all my money on Undergrad I'd assume. But then again, Cornell is Cornell. Blah.
Guess we'll have to see what happens.
MN transplant
Posted 12 June 2007 - 07:51 AM
SnowGoose69, on Jun 12 2007, 01:24 AM, said:
The only question I'd ask you Brett is if the rumor I hear from many here in OK that I work with who attended OU is that there simply is very little forecasting taught. I wouldnt be too surprised given most of the "bigger" schools seem to be more focused on the math and pure theory aspect...thats the general consensus I've gotten from those who went to Arizona, Wisconsin (some have told me there was absolutely zero forecasting taught), Penn State, and FSU....the smaller schools almost always seem to be more forecasting oriented.
Some of the smaller schools are that way too. I ended up with a minor in math at North Dakota without having to do anything other than requirements for the Atmospheric Science degree. The fact is, a lot of the schools have tailored their curriculum around: a) moving on to grad school, and b) the NWS requirements.
Education Requirement (for all grade levels): A. Bachelor's
degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science
major that included: 1) At least 24 semester hours (36 quarter
hours) in meteorology including: a. Six semester hours in weather
analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale); b.
Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics*; c.
Three semester hours of physical meteorology; and, d. Two semester
hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation.
2) Six semester hours of physics with at least one course that
includes laboratory sessions* 3) Three semester hours of Ordinary
Differential Equations* 4) At least nine semester hours of course
work appropriate for a physical science major in any combination of
three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics,
chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative
transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity
and magnetism, light and optics, computer science.
*There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for course work
in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and
differential equations. Calculus courses must be appropriate for a
physical science major.
dg12x
Posted 12 June 2007 - 08:20 AM
LocoAko, on Jun 12 2007, 07:23 AM, said:
Ah, OK. Then I guess I won't take them.
It sounds to me like almost all schools don't teach forecasting. Which of course sucks, but I guess that's just how it goes for almost all the schools. What schools actually ARE known for focusing on forecasting? If I find out later what I was then I'm most definitely positive I'm not a finalist. But like you said, I probably could have been in almost any other state. Oh well. It is what it is I guess. I'd really like to do forecasting but if I could get an NWS job with a Rutgers degree then I guess I can put up with only math and physics for 4 years. Theory is always interesting too.
Too many choices. I'm still thinking RU is a good bet for me considering I'll probably want to go to Grad School, so it'd be advantageous to not blow all my money on Undergrad I'd assume. But then again, Cornell is Cornell. Blah.
Guess we'll have to see what happens.
It sounds to me like almost all schools don't teach forecasting. Which of course sucks, but I guess that's just how it goes for almost all the schools. What schools actually ARE known for focusing on forecasting? If I find out later what I was then I'm most definitely positive I'm not a finalist. But like you said, I probably could have been in almost any other state.
Oh well. It is what it is I guess. I'd really like to do forecasting but if I could get an NWS job with a Rutgers degree then I guess I can put up with only math and physics for 4 years. Theory is always interesting too. Too many choices. I'm still thinking RU is a good bet for me considering I'll probably want to go to Grad School, so it'd be advantageous to not blow all my money on Undergrad I'd assume. But then again, Cornell is Cornell. Blah.
Guess we'll have to see what happens.
I'm at PSU now...will be a senior in the fall. There are 2 courses devoted entirely to forecasting. Meteo 415 and 416 (416 being the advanced forecasting class). Also being involved in the campus weather service can really sharpen your forecasting skills.
In regards to Cornell, my brother who also majored in meteo, was accepted to both Cornell and PSU in the honors college. He came in with all the AP credits in the world as well as salutatorian of his HS. He ended up deciding on Penn State as the department blew him away in comparison to Cornell...and to this day, he says its the best choice he made. He went on to do grad school at Albany since their grad program was one of the few to focus on synoptics, as he did he research into NE winter snowstorms.
When I was deciding where to go, I looked into Rutgers, but I just wasn't impressed compared to what PSU offered despite its proximity to home and affordability. I also applied to Cornell and when I did, I know they required SAT II's. I didn't get in there despite great SAT scores and being near the top of my class...but I probably wasn't going to go there anyway.
Good luck with your decision!
Dan
Posted 12 June 2007 - 08:21 AM
RaleighWX, on Jan 23 2006, 11:17 AM, said:
All the schools mentioned are great. I agree with Wes (usedtobe) that you need to pick out a school that fits your interests. I recommend grad school as well. One great thing about NC State, now is that the NWS is on campus, and they have an intern program for undergrads, which helps you IMMENSELY with getting a job with the NWS. If that is the way you want to go, pick a school that works very closely with the NWS. NC State does a great job of that in both undergrad and graduate arenas.
The University of North Carolina-Asheville is a lot like State because UNCA has a tight working relationship with the National Climatic Data Center which is located in Downtown Asheville. Getting in with the federal gov't is always a good route to take. I went to UNC-A about 6 years ago and got to know a couple folks who were in the Atmospheric Science program and they always told me that they pushed the aviation sector more than they did TV/media related careers.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 12 June 2007 - 09:48 AM
LocoAko, on Jun 12 2007, 05:23 AM, said:
Too many choices. I'm still thinking RU is a good bet for me considering I'll probably want to go to Grad School, so it'd be advantageous to not blow all my money on Undergrad I'd assume. But then again, Cornell is Cornell. Blah.
Guess we'll have to see what happens.
Guess we'll have to see what happens.
The bottom line is that most people liked where they went, and are happy with their decision because most people have a great time in college, and liked their department. If you get a chance, definitely visit the schools you're thinking about and ask questions. I really thought I'd be going to Penn State, but that changed 180º after I visited both schools/met. departments, and I had a decidedly better experience at one than the other. It made my decision really easy when I got my acceptance letters because I had seen where I'd be going and talked with the faculty of the department.
Also regarding money, most graduate programs pay you a stipend and give you a tuition waiver, so you're not actually paying for grad school, you're getting paid to go to grad school (cool, huh). Most grad schools give you something like 20 -25 thousand a year with a full tuition waiver. At OU, you get health insurance for free too, but I think that's becoming less popular at most schools.
spiffybeth
Posted 12 June 2007 - 09:55 AM
AtticaFanatica, on Jun 12 2007, 10:48 AM, said:
The bottom line is that most people liked where they went, and are happy with their decision because most people have a great time in college, and liked their department. If you get a chance, definitely visit the schools you're thinking about and ask questions. I really thought I'd be going to Penn State, but that changed 180º after I visited both schools/met. departments, and I had a decidedly better experience at one than the other. It made my decision really easy when I got my acceptance letters because I had seen where I'd be going and talked with the faculty of the department.
Also regarding money, most graduate programs pay you a stipend and give you a tuition waiver, so you're not actually paying for grad school, you're getting paid to go to grad school (cool, huh). Most grad schools give you something like 20 -25 thousand a year with a full tuition waiver. At OU, you get health insurance for free too, but I think that's becoming less popular at most schools.
Also regarding money, most graduate programs pay you a stipend and give you a tuition waiver, so you're not actually paying for grad school, you're getting paid to go to grad school (cool, huh). Most grad schools give you something like 20 -25 thousand a year with a full tuition waiver. At OU, you get health insurance for free too, but I think that's becoming less popular at most schools.
is that true????????????
AtticaFanatica
Posted 12 June 2007 - 10:05 AM
spiffybeth, on Jun 12 2007, 08:55 AM, said:
is that true????????????
For grad students, you get a health insurance waiver. I mean the insurance isn't that great, and the deductible stinks, but you do get it. We also have a choice of having eye and dental as well for pretty fair prices. I think I remember one larger met. graduate department getting rid of health insurance for cost reasons but I could be wrong about that. It's definitely nice to have it and not have to worry about it.
Terpeast
Posted 12 June 2007 - 10:39 AM
AtticaFanatica, on Jun 12 2007, 11:05 AM, said:
For grad students, you get a health insurance waiver. I mean the insurance isn't that great, and the deductible sucks, but you do get it. We also have a choice of having eye and dental as well for pretty fair prices. I think I remember one larger met. graduate department getting rid of health insurance for cost reasons but I could be wrong about that. Its definitely nice to have it and not have to worry about it.
No fair, I didn't get that. But then my grad school (UMDCP) didn't pay me so I had to work 1-2 jobs to support myself through school without breaking the bank. Ok, so maybe I bent the bank a bit, but I should be able to pay off my student loan in a couple years.
And I just got an email from the UMDCP dept head saying that their "financial woes are finally over" ... a year after I graduated from there with a masters. Go figure.
Terpeast
Posted 12 June 2007 - 10:40 AM
Another thing... I did not see UMDCP (Univ of Maryland) mentioned once in this thread. Not once. Very interesting... 
AtticaFanatica
Posted 12 June 2007 - 11:53 AM
Terpeast, on Jun 12 2007, 09:40 AM, said:
Another thing... I did not see UMDCP (Univ of Maryland) mentioned once in this thread. Not once. Very interesting...
As I understand it, that is the place to be if you're interested in satellite meteorology, is that correct? I admittedly don't know much else.
Posted 12 June 2007 - 12:03 PM
WindRunner, on Jun 11 2007, 11:25 PM, said:
You find out in the fall of your senior year what award, if any, you get. After taking the test as a junior, they will award you with whatever ranking (commended student/semi-finalist/finalist, etc.) in September. I got a "commended student" here in VA, though my score would have done much better in most any other state. Don't remember what it was, but all the numbers kind of blend together after senior year . . .
Speaking of schools, I know coming from the mid-Atlantic in a state where there is no in-state meteorology schools, I had a long, hard look at the east coast's schools, primarily those within a days' drive of northern Virginia. Hence I applied to PSU, FSU, NC State, and SUNY Albany. After deciding that FSU was too far away - broke my little tropical met heart - I had it "narrowed" down to PSU or Albany. Visiting PSU first, I got the feeling that it was a very nice and somewhat large department at Penn State. Initially, I liked it, especially with Dr. Nese giving the tour (not in to broadcast, but he is a nice guy). Facilities were quite nice with the map room having both the LCD and paper displays in addition to the nice broadcast setup across the hall. The twenty or so of us on the tour made the rooms kind of tight, but I didn't care. Then I went up to Albany. Noticeably different atmosphere up there (no pun intended . . .). The group of kids in the department (sophomores through seniors) was about a fifth of what PSU had. Our "tour" . . . consisted of three people talking with the intro professor in a map room quite similar to PSU's, only smaller. And his entire talk was about the forecasting contest they were doing so well in . . . all of that combined into what I thought was right for me. To pile on top, Albany out-of-state is significantly cheaper than PSU out-of-state - about one-third cheaper, to be exact. Hence I'll be heading up to Albany in the fall . . . and with the AP credits, I'll be going in as a sophomore . . . so taking all those AP courses actually did pay off!
The other plus about Albany, and I believe PSU had a similar feature as well, is that it offers an accelerated MS program . . . where you get your BS after three and a half years and your MS after five. Really helps in a field where that extra degree can get you a leg up when it comes to that job search. Another good point about Albany's program is that like NC State, they have the WFO on campus, and, in fact, about half of the department's faculty are actually doing research in the CESTM that is connected to the WFO. Interning over with the NWS is a requirement at some point in the undergraduate degree, and other paid positions are offered to students at the school with a good amount of frequency. Anyway, enough rambling . . . the point is, once you visit a school and talk to people and see all that the program has to offer, it can make a huge difference in your choice. There is no better way to help you decide then to visit the school(s) you are considering.
Speaking of schools, I know coming from the mid-Atlantic in a state where there is no in-state meteorology schools, I had a long, hard look at the east coast's schools, primarily those within a days' drive of northern Virginia. Hence I applied to PSU, FSU, NC State, and SUNY Albany. After deciding that FSU was too far away - broke my little tropical met heart - I had it "narrowed" down to PSU or Albany. Visiting PSU first, I got the feeling that it was a very nice and somewhat large department at Penn State. Initially, I liked it, especially with Dr. Nese giving the tour (not in to broadcast, but he is a nice guy). Facilities were quite nice with the map room having both the LCD and paper displays in addition to the nice broadcast setup across the hall. The twenty or so of us on the tour made the rooms kind of tight, but I didn't care. Then I went up to Albany. Noticeably different atmosphere up there (no pun intended . . .). The group of kids in the department (sophomores through seniors) was about a fifth of what PSU had. Our "tour" . . . consisted of three people talking with the intro professor in a map room quite similar to PSU's, only smaller. And his entire talk was about the forecasting contest they were doing so well in . . . all of that combined into what I thought was right for me. To pile on top, Albany out-of-state is significantly cheaper than PSU out-of-state - about one-third cheaper, to be exact. Hence I'll be heading up to Albany in the fall . . . and with the AP credits, I'll be going in as a sophomore . . . so taking all those AP courses actually did pay off!
The other plus about Albany, and I believe PSU had a similar feature as well, is that it offers an accelerated MS program . . . where you get your BS after three and a half years and your MS after five. Really helps in a field where that extra degree can get you a leg up when it comes to that job search. Another good point about Albany's program is that like NC State, they have the WFO on campus, and, in fact, about half of the department's faculty are actually doing research in the CESTM that is connected to the WFO. Interning over with the NWS is a requirement at some point in the undergraduate degree, and other paid positions are offered to students at the school with a good amount of frequency. Anyway, enough rambling . . . the point is, once you visit a school and talk to people and see all that the program has to offer, it can make a huge difference in your choice. There is no better way to help you decide then to visit the school(s) you are considering.
Glad you choose Albany. Although it's been about 10 years since I was there and I'm sure a lot has changed I don't think you can go wrong in your decision. What impressed me most about Albany was the passion of the department. A lot of students and faculty were really interested in what they do. Albany may not be as fancy as some of the other schools, but if you want to get something done at Albany I'm sure someone will help you along.
I was an undergrad there and got a considerable amount of money to do research and independent study. That is pretty rare at most universities as an undergrad. Another great thing about SUNYA is there is so much around there, like you mentioned...the WFO, TV stations, etc. Heck, you could probably make decent coin as a part-time weather observer at KALB. Albany is a school where you get what you put into it.
The bad things: Albany is so cloudy and cold in the wintertime. It can get one down from time to time. Also, at least when I was there the atmospheric science department didn't offer a whole lot of "healthy" socialization, which in hindsight was actually good because I made a lot of friends totally outside of meteorology. My class had some quirky people in it to say the least.
In any event, good luck with Albany. I think you'll get a similar experience at Albany that you would at other big schools, and remember Albany has tons of resources...you'll get what you put into it.
Terpeast
Posted 12 June 2007 - 12:46 PM
AtticaFanatica, on Jun 12 2007, 12:53 PM, said:
As I understand it, that is the place to be if you're interested in satellite meteorology, is that correct? I admittedly don't know much else.
Eh, not really, one might get this impression since the campus is 15 minutes away from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. I think it's a great place to dive into the math and physics, but like any other school it lacks in forecasting. It's also pretty big on climate change research.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 12 June 2007 - 12:49 PM
Terpeast, on Jun 12 2007, 11:46 AM, said:
Eh, not really, one might get this impression since the campus is 15 minutes away from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. I think it's a great place to dive into the math and physics, but like any other school it lacks in forecasting. It's also pretty big on climate change research.
ok, I must have been thinking about Goddard then.
Posted 12 June 2007 - 12:53 PM
Here's another choice: University of Miami, FL. I received both my BS (meteorology and mathematics) and MS (Meteorology and Physical Oceanography) here. There are a lot of stereotypes out there about UM, but I believe I got a first rate education there. Obviously, you get out what you put in, which I think is true anywhere that you go. Here's a link which describes the program (http://www.meteorology.miami.edu/). The undergrad department has grown quite a bit since I've been there, but it is still relatively small compared with larger schools like PSU & FSU. That alone was one of the reasons I chose UM. My classes as a whole were small which allowed for more meaningful interactions with my fellow students and the professor. One great thing about UM is it's proximity to both the NHC (about a 20 min drive) as well as NOAA's AOML lab which houses HRD (Hurricane Research Division). So if you like tropical meteorology, it's a great place. There's a lot of work done also with ensemble model forecasts, boundary layer meteorology, and cloud physics. The only big downside that I found was the cost. It is a private school so it costs $$ to go. They are pretty generous with scholarships though so if you have a good GPA, good SATs and a well rounded application you would stand a pretty good chance at some tuition aid. If you are interested in research, there are usually opportunities for undergrads to get on board with a professor to do some work (and they usually pay too!). Anyway, hope that helps in your search. I think someone else said this already but it's really about finding the right place for you.
Take care,
Hollis
Take care,
Hollis
RiemannSun
Posted 12 June 2007 - 01:01 PM
For you grad students...did you have to take GRE subject tests? Of course you have to take the GRE general test, but I'm unsure about the subject tests. Thanks.
Terpeast
Posted 12 June 2007 - 01:10 PM
RiemannSun, on Jun 12 2007, 02:01 PM, said:
For you grad students...did you have to take GRE subject tests? Of course you have to take the GRE general test, but I'm unsure about the subject tests. Thanks.
Didn't have to, in my case.
spiffybeth
Posted 12 June 2007 - 01:17 PM
wxgal, on Jun 12 2007, 01:53 PM, said:
Here's another choice: University of Miami, FL. I received both my BS (meteorology and mathematics) and MS (Meteorology and Physical Oceanography) here. There are a lot of stereotypes out there about UM, but I believe I got a first rate education there. Obviously, you get out what you put in, which I think is true anywhere that you go. Here's a link which describes the program (http://www.meteorology.miami.edu/). The undergrad department has grown quite a bit since I've been there, but it is still relatively small compared with larger schools like PSU & FSU. That alone was one of the reasons I chose UM. My classes as a whole were small which allowed for more meaningful interactions with my fellow students and the professor. One great thing about UM is it's proximity to both the NHC (about a 20 min drive) as well as NOAA's AOML lab which houses HRD (Hurricane Research Division). So if you like tropical meteorology, it's a great place. There's a lot of work done also with ensemble model forecasts, boundary layer meteorology, and cloud physics. The only big downside that I found was the cost. It is a private school so it costs $$ to go. They are pretty generous with scholarships though so if you have a good GPA, good SATs and a well rounded application you would stand a pretty good chance at some tuition aid. If you are interested in research, there are usually opportunities for undergrads to get on board with a professor to do some work (and they usually pay too!). Anyway, hope that helps in your search. I think someone else said this already but it's really about finding the right place for you.
Take care,
Hollis
Take care,
Hollis
i have been in contact with dr. chidong zhang of the university of miami regarding his work on the MJO. i dont know a thing about that school, but he would, without a doubt, make me go there.
his work is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
brettjrob
Posted 12 June 2007 - 01:24 PM
SnowGoose69, on Jun 12 2007, 12:24 AM, said:
The only question I'd ask you Brett is if the rumor I hear from many here in OK that I work with who attended OU is that there simply is very little forecasting taught. I wouldnt be too surprised given most of the "bigger" schools seem to be more focused on the math and pure theory aspect...thats the general consensus I've gotten from those who went to Arizona, Wisconsin (some have told me there was absolutely zero forecasting taught), Penn State, and FSU....the smaller schools almost always seem to be more forecasting oriented.
It's basically true, other than the synoptic lab course senior year. Of course, like several others have already mentioned, the same is true for many departments. If you don't mind me asking, did you go to one of the smaller schools with a bigger forecasting emphasis?
MSquared
Posted 12 June 2007 - 01:34 PM
RiemannSun, on Jun 12 2007, 02:01 PM, said:
For you grad students...did you have to take GRE subject tests? Of course you have to take the GRE general test, but I'm unsure about the subject tests. Thanks.
I did not have to take any of the GRE subject tests for any of the graduate programs I applied to (SUNY Albany, Penn State, Colorado State, Florida State). It's always a good idea to check with each individual program to make sure they don't require one though. Shoot for about a 1200 combined math and verbal score on the general GRE, since that is what many of the more competitive programs are looking for. Obviously, the higher the better. The math is pretty easy and comes right from high school. Some of the vocabulary was kind of tough though.
MonsonWeather
Posted 12 June 2007 - 01:52 PM
SUNY Albany is not far away from me at all. How are their facilities?
seabreezelou
Posted 12 June 2007 - 01:56 PM
MSquared, on Jun 12 2007, 02:34 PM, said:
I did not have to take any of the GRE subject tests for any of the graduate programs I applied to (SUNY Albany, Penn State, Colorado State, Florida State). It's always a good idea to check with each individual program to make sure they don't require one though. Shoot for about a 1200 combined math and verbal score on the general GRE, since that is what many of the more competitive programs are looking for. Obviously, the higher the better. The math is pretty easy and comes right from high school. Some of the vocabulary was kind of tough though.
Rutgers only required the general GRE as well. I had the same experience, math was easy, vocab was a little tougher than I had expected. I went to grad school for Phys Oceanography, but I know it holds true for met as well, make sure to at least get the school minimum on the vocab portion (RU was 550), and make sure you excel at the math portion.
RiemannSun
Posted 12 June 2007 - 02:18 PM
Thanks for the replies. Looking over the practice materials, it looks pretty much like the SAT all over again, except it's done on a computer and you are not permitted to use a calculator. I believe they are in the process of changing it, though, and like the new SAT, the new general GRE will be longer. I can't wait!
AtticaFanatica
Posted 12 June 2007 - 02:20 PM
MonsonWeather, on Jun 12 2007, 01:52 PM, said:
SUNY Albany is not far away from me at all. How are their facilities?
Excellent program. When it comes to synoptic meteorology, its the best in the country, I'd bet there's little debate about that. And Lance Bosart is there, so really tough to do much better when it comes to synoptic.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 12 June 2007 - 02:24 PM
RiemannSun, on Jun 12 2007, 02:18 PM, said:
Thanks for the replies. Looking over the practice materials, it looks pretty much like the SAT all over again, except it's done on a computer and you are not permitted to use a calculator. I believe they are in the process of changing it, though, and like the new SAT, the new general GRE will be longer. I can't wait!
I would strongly suggest that you take many practice tests because the test is kind of unique. I would also suggest getting a practice book because the GRE is one test where they really help. For instance, when you get to the end of a section, you should always guess at the end instead of not finishing questions, which is different than other tests. The computer format is weird too, until you get used to it. The difference between my score on the first practice test and what I ended up getting when I took them was enormous.
MN transplant
Posted 12 June 2007 - 02:26 PM
AtticaFanatica, on Jun 12 2007, 12:53 PM, said:
As I understand it, that is the place to be if you're interested in satellite meteorology, is that correct? I admittedly don't know much else.
I think Wisconsin, with CIMSS, is the king of satellite met.
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/
MSquared
Posted 12 June 2007 - 02:42 PM
I did not study for the GRE at all (well, almost). I did study the math for like 20-30 minutes the night before. Basically, though, I just showed up and took it. I find it difficult to study for these types of tests because each one is so different from the practice tests. Regardless, the format is the pretty much the same as the practice tests.
I looked at SUNY Albany and almost decided to go there for grad school, until I got an offer from Penn State that was hard to resist. Their stipend amount isn't quite as good as some of the other met schools ($18,500) as opposed to $20,000 to $23,000. Stipend amount, however, should not be the basis for a graduate school decision. I chose Penn State because I wanted to be in a larger department where there are many research opportunities. Plus, I liked State College a lot more than Albany. Go someplace where you feel comfortable with the faculty, university, and surrounding city. Echoing what some of the other posters have said, SUNY A is a great program for synoptics. The campus isn't particularly attractive since it consists of poured concrete buildings from the 1960s, but if you can get past that, it's a great program.
I looked at SUNY Albany and almost decided to go there for grad school, until I got an offer from Penn State that was hard to resist. Their stipend amount isn't quite as good as some of the other met schools ($18,500) as opposed to $20,000 to $23,000. Stipend amount, however, should not be the basis for a graduate school decision. I chose Penn State because I wanted to be in a larger department where there are many research opportunities. Plus, I liked State College a lot more than Albany. Go someplace where you feel comfortable with the faculty, university, and surrounding city. Echoing what some of the other posters have said, SUNY A is a great program for synoptics. The campus isn't particularly attractive since it consists of poured concrete buildings from the 1960s, but if you can get past that, it's a great program.
Posted 12 June 2007 - 02:44 PM
spiffybeth, on Jun 12 2007, 02:17 PM, said:
i have been in contact with dr. chidong zhang of the university of miami regarding his work on the MJO. i dont know a thing about that school, but he would, without a doubt, make me go there.
his work is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
his work is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dr. Zhang is a great professor. He was actually on my thesis committee!
AtticaFanatica
Posted 12 June 2007 - 02:44 PM
MN transplant, on Jun 12 2007, 02:26 PM, said:
Cool. I always get confused because there is a CIMMS at OU and a CIMSS at Wisconsin.
wxtracker93
Posted 12 June 2007 - 03:38 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 12 2007, 07:23 AM, said:
...What schools actually ARE known for focusing on forecasting?...
MN transplant
Posted 12 June 2007 - 04:12 PM
QUOTE(LocoAko @ Jun 12 2007, 07:23 AM) *
...What schools actually ARE known for focusing on forecasting?...
I think a lot of people here are mistaking a solid curriculum of physics, math and dynamics as being counter to forecasting. That couldn't be further from the case, and the NWS agrees (note the qualifications I listed earlier). All schools have some forecasting, mostly in synoptic classes, but it also depends on what electives you take. I had a one credit class where we forecasted for the school's solar car team during their race.
The other thing to think about is research funding. It is just the way of the world that more professors are on "soft" money, meaning they require grants to stay employed. If you really want forecasting, you probably aren't going to go to a school where they are getting all of their money to do climate research, or cloud physics, or radiation. You will be looking for synoptic or mesoscale-type research.
...What schools actually ARE known for focusing on forecasting?...
I think a lot of people here are mistaking a solid curriculum of physics, math and dynamics as being counter to forecasting. That couldn't be further from the case, and the NWS agrees (note the qualifications I listed earlier). All schools have some forecasting, mostly in synoptic classes, but it also depends on what electives you take. I had a one credit class where we forecasted for the school's solar car team during their race.
The other thing to think about is research funding. It is just the way of the world that more professors are on "soft" money, meaning they require grants to stay employed. If you really want forecasting, you probably aren't going to go to a school where they are getting all of their money to do climate research, or cloud physics, or radiation. You will be looking for synoptic or mesoscale-type research.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 12 June 2007 - 04:18 PM
MN transplant, on Jun 12 2007, 04:12 PM, said:
I think a lot of people here are mistaking a solid curriculum of physics, math and dynamics as being counter to forecasting. That couldn't be further from the case, and the NWS agrees (note the qualifications I listed earlier). All schools have some forecasting, mostly in synoptic classes, but it also depends on what electives you take. I had a one credit class where we forecasted for the school's solar car team during their race.
Also, for a program to be accredited in meteorology, they have to have a certain number of classes in thermo, dynamics, synoptic, etc. Throw in the math and physics, and all the other requirements for the college or university (I had to take two classes in biology, for example), and there's usually not a lot of room left for straight-up forecasting classes. Many programs believe that forecasting requires just for one to take the knowledge they have learned in their classes and apply it with only some practice, maybe have one (or two at the most) classes on the subject. I think that's what you're seeing in this thread.
LocoAko
Posted 12 June 2007 - 04:37 PM
Oh man. I'm already getting stressed out about this. I'm visiting PSU, Millersville (I'm not really that interested in there, though. Not sure why), and Rutgers during the first half of the summer. I had sort of stopped focusing on PSU because RU was so much cheaper and PSU was further away and a much bigger school, but I should probably look more into it. I'm also probably applying to LSC, although that is still sort of expensive for me and I'm not sure how I'd fair there with it being SUCH a small school. And I hadn't even considered Albany. Oy.
Oy.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 12 June 2007 - 04:41 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 12 2007, 04:37 PM, said:
Oh man. I'm already getting stressed out about this. I'm visiting PSU, Millersville (I'm not really that interested in there, though. Not sure why), and Rutgers during the first half of the summer. I had sort of stopped focusing on PSU because RU was so much cheaper and PSU was further away and a much bigger school, but I should probably look more into it. I'm also probably applying to LSC, although that is still sort of expensive for me and I'm not sure how I'd fair there with it being SUCH a small school. And I hadn't even considered Albany. Oy.
Oy.Yeah, this thread is probably information overload, but I think you're doing the right thing by visiting the places you're considering. Once you make your visits, things will fall into place, most likely.
wxtracker93
Posted 12 June 2007 - 04:54 PM
AtticaFanatica, on Jun 12 2007, 05:41 PM, said:
Yeah, this thread is probably information overload, but I think you're doing the right thing by visiting the places you're considering. Once you make your visits, things will fall into place, most likely.
It definitely is a lot of info! I can't wait until I start visiting schools. Until recently, I hadn't really been wanting to go to PSU because I was under the impression that it really wasn't that great of a school, and the size of it. But, I have come to understand that it is in fact not a bad school at all (listen, I don't really feel like pushing myself to Yale or Princeton...I'd rather enjoy the college experience) and (at least until I see it first hand) the size I don't think will bother me; the only thing I might miss is the student-teacher relationships. PSU's Weather Forecasting and Communications option within the major (http://www.met.psu.e...omm_option.html) seems right up my alley, and something that I would really enjoy.
WindRunner
Posted 12 June 2007 - 05:21 PM
MonsonWeather, on Jun 12 2007, 02:52 PM, said:
SUNY Albany is not far away from me at all. How are their facilities?
They're definately in the process of upgrading . . . though it's a rather slow one. Just got a new map room with about 6 individual workstations along with three or four workstations that have multi-monitor wall displays that can also display on one of the projectors up front. Still have a nice paper map room off to the side, and they launch the sounding balloon off their roof twice daily. It is on the top floor (3rd) of its building, but there really isn't much of an observation area though, unless you want to climb one of the 21-story dorm towers (which you could do . . .). Basically, it's quite similar to how PSU's map room is set up, just scaled-down in accordance to the department.
As for the rest of the campus, well, it's nice and close together for the cold winters, but it does hold the record for being the second largest poured concrete structure in the world, behind the Pentagon
Posted 13 June 2007 - 06:55 AM
WindRunner, on Jun 12 2007, 06:21 PM, said:
They're definately in the process of upgrading . . . though it's a rather slow one. Just got a new map room with about 6 individual workstations along with three or four workstations that have multi-monitor wall displays that can also display on one of the projectors up front. Still have a nice paper map room off to the side, and they launch the sounding balloon off their roof twice daily. It is on the top floor (3rd) of its building, but there really isn't much of an observation area though, unless you want to climb one of the 21-story dorm towers (which you could do . . .). Basically, it's quite similar to how PSU's map room is set up, just scaled-down in accordance to the department.
As for the rest of the campus, well, it's nice and close together for the cold winters, but it does hold the record for being the second largest poured concrete structure in the world, behind the Pentagon
As for the rest of the campus, well, it's nice and close together for the cold winters, but it does hold the record for being the second largest poured concrete structure in the world, behind the Pentagon
SUNYA began the upgrading process 10 years ago. I wouldn't hold my breath.
While there has been a great discussion here, I don't think there is one school that is better than another. It is a personal choice and largely dependent upon things other than how good one met program is compared to another one. I think a great meteorological education can be attained at all the schools listed here. More significantly, it is up to the student to determine how much they are going to learn and the quality of that education.
You can go to SUNYA and study with Bosart or PSU, but if you aren't happy there or have other things going on in your life your education and eventually career may suffer. Whether it is Kean College, SUNY, Texas A&M, wherever, the quality of education is basically up to the student.
Just my $0.02.
Good luck.
MonsonWeather
Posted 13 June 2007 - 03:06 PM
Will taking other AP Courses like AP American Government help at all towards college if I go in for meteorology? I assume not at all or not very much.
spiffybeth
Posted 13 June 2007 - 03:16 PM
MonsonWeather, on Jun 13 2007, 04:06 PM, said:
Will taking other AP Courses like AP American Government help at all towards college if I go in for meteorology? I assume not at all or not very much.
yes, core education requirements will be satisfied if you pass the AP exams with a three or a four or five. check the schools youre applying to though, some only accept a 4 or better, some accept a three.
NorEaster27
Posted 13 June 2007 - 03:20 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 12 2007, 05:37 PM, said:
Oh man. I'm already getting stressed out about this. I'm visiting PSU, Millersville (I'm not really that interested in there, though. Not sure why), and Rutgers during the first half of the summer. I had sort of stopped focusing on PSU because RU was so much cheaper and PSU was further away and a much bigger school, but I should probably look more into it. I'm also probably applying to LSC, although that is still sort of expensive for me and I'm not sure how I'd fair there with it being SUCH a small school. And I hadn't even considered Albany. Oy.
Oy.This is the easy part
I guess my situation was unusual but I was set on going to PSU. I visited PSU, I liked it and once I was accepted I basically thought I was going to PSU and that would be it. However, once I got into Cornell I couldn't turn it down and here I am. For me PSU and Cornell were very similar in tuition so that wasn't a big problem.
MonsonWeather
Posted 13 June 2007 - 05:48 PM
spiffybeth, on Jun 13 2007, 04:16 PM, said:
yes, core education requirements will be satisfied if you pass the AP exams with a three or a four or five. check the schools youre applying to though, some only accept a 4 or better, some accept a three.
Thanks... what sections of websites would I find core requirement information? Would there be the same core requirements for those with all majors and fields?
Clark
Posted 13 June 2007 - 08:54 PM
MonsonWeather, on Jun 13 2007, 06:48 PM, said:
Thanks... what sections of websites would I find core requirement information? Would there be the same core requirements for those with all majors and fields?
Generally they will be on the University's main webpage. They are generally the same between all majors, though certain colleges or departments may have additional or slightly different requirements. For instance, the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida State requires all of its majors -- which includes meteorology -- to complete 12 hours of foreign languages, whereas that is not a requirement for the university as a whole. You'll find info about things like that from the University's main admissions page if they are significant, otherwise I wouldn't worry about those minor details right now.
jrodd321
Posted 13 June 2007 - 09:38 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 12 2007, 05:37 PM, said:
Oh man. I'm already getting stressed out about this. I'm visiting PSU, Millersville (I'm not really that interested in there, though. Not sure why), and Rutgers during the first half of the summer. I had sort of stopped focusing on PSU because RU was so much cheaper and PSU was further away and a much bigger school, but I should probably look more into it. I'm also probably applying to LSC, although that is still sort of expensive for me and I'm not sure how I'd fair there with it being SUCH a small school. And I hadn't even considered Albany. Oy.
Oy.I visited Millersville back in April and loved it!
willv28
Posted 13 June 2007 - 11:03 PM
LocoAko, on Jun 12 2007, 03:37 PM, said:
Oh man. I'm already getting stressed out about this. I'm visiting PSU, Millersville (I'm not really that interested in there, though. Not sure why), and Rutgers during the first half of the summer. I had sort of stopped focusing on PSU because RU was so much cheaper and PSU was further away and a much bigger school, but I should probably look more into it. I'm also probably applying to LSC, although that is still sort of expensive for me and I'm not sure how I'd fair there with it being SUCH a small school. And I hadn't even considered Albany. Oy.
Oy.Hi, I'm new here but, I'm glad you're looking at LSC. It might be small and in the middle of nowhere, but it has a great program. Most other schools are best known for their grad programs. I would definitely go to a PSU or Ohio State for grad school. I went to LSC for meteorology for two years before I decided to switch to the computer major. I like the tech side more. I would make the same choice again to go to LSC. In fact I just graduated from there...again. You just got to ignore the half the freshman met class that will fail Survey. They just got in way over their heads. This is because they will push you and push you right away. I think it's great for undergrad, same with Millersville (almost went there). They concentrate on the hardcore material and will prepare you for grad work rather than
Brief story. A fellow LSC alum went to Ohio State for grad work. A lot of his fellow grad students were from Oklahoma U, Penn State, etc. Many did not cover much of the material in their undergrad programs as we did. I don't know if it was the purpose of the programs or they were lying, but, maybe it was just only geared to forecasting, who knows.
Also, they might get a new building at LSC where a large chunk of it might be for just the meteorology program.
So, I would definitely visit it. Sit in on a Survey class with Dr. Atkins. Dr. Shafer is a real nice guy and teaches the classes geared towards forecasting. LSC isn't for everyone or fits everyone's personality, but it is well known yet people give it less credit than it deserves.
LocoAko
Posted 30 June 2007 - 08:48 PM
Hate to bump this thread again, but I just got back from visiting Penn State and Millersville and things have changed in my mind.
I barely had any interest in Millersville but my mom wanted to visit it anyway. The campus was much larger and more beautiful than I had anticipated, and something about the school really warmed me up to it. It would be around 20K/yr for me which is expensive but more reasonable than a lot of other colleges. I just liked it way more than I thought I would. Strange that I hadn't even considered it and now I'm interested in it. And surprisingly, I actually LIKED the dorms.
Then I went to Penn State, to which I'd been there before, and while getting that initial burst of excitement I think I was overwhelmed. For some reason the dorms gave me a summer camp type feeling and whiel it was an extremely exciting place, it just seemed like too much. The other, even bigger factor - is that it'd be over 30K/yr for me, and unless I got a good chunk of financial aid, that pretty much knocks that out as an option. I'm just not rich enough for it. Sucks I don't live in PA.
So, I suppose Rutgers is still my first choice as it is technically the cheapest, closest, etc. But I still have yet to visit it. I feel kinda bad because I know that PSU is looked upon as being one of the almighties for weather, and I really do think I have the ability to get into University Park, but I dunno. Sounds like I could get a great education there, and RU seems to have a great time with internship opportunities which I know are important. I have to start applying in September so I guess it's finally reasonable to actually start looking at things.
I haven't really looked at Albany or LSC, which I hope isn't a mistake, but who knows. I'll be visiting Rutgers in Mid-July so we'll see how that goes. I just surprised at how much I liked Millersville considering I wasn't interested at all before visiting.
I barely had any interest in Millersville but my mom wanted to visit it anyway. The campus was much larger and more beautiful than I had anticipated, and something about the school really warmed me up to it. It would be around 20K/yr for me which is expensive but more reasonable than a lot of other colleges. I just liked it way more than I thought I would. Strange that I hadn't even considered it and now I'm interested in it. And surprisingly, I actually LIKED the dorms.
Then I went to Penn State, to which I'd been there before, and while getting that initial burst of excitement I think I was overwhelmed. For some reason the dorms gave me a summer camp type feeling and whiel it was an extremely exciting place, it just seemed like too much. The other, even bigger factor - is that it'd be over 30K/yr for me, and unless I got a good chunk of financial aid, that pretty much knocks that out as an option. I'm just not rich enough for it. Sucks I don't live in PA.
So, I suppose Rutgers is still my first choice as it is technically the cheapest, closest, etc. But I still have yet to visit it. I feel kinda bad because I know that PSU is looked upon as being one of the almighties for weather, and I really do think I have the ability to get into University Park, but I dunno.
Sounds like I could get a great education there, and RU seems to have a great time with internship opportunities which I know are important. I have to start applying in September so I guess it's finally reasonable to actually start looking at things. I haven't really looked at Albany or LSC, which I hope isn't a mistake, but who knows.
I'll be visiting Rutgers in Mid-July so we'll see how that goes. I just surprised at how much I liked Millersville considering I wasn't interested at all before visiting.
WindRunner
Posted 30 June 2007 - 09:24 PM
I know I visited PSU about this time of year last year (I think it was actually in July, but whatever), and didn't feel overwhelmed by it. Yet I still eventually realized how absolutely massive University Park actually was, albeit not until a couple months before I had to decide. Unfortunately, I didn't discover Millersville (or Cornell, for that matter) until early October, when I really felt it was too late to do anything about them. Albany was one I didn't find until mid-September, and I felt kind of late looking at that. Of course, that's where I'll be going this fall, but that's another story. Being another Pennsylvania out-of-stater, I can see your issue with PSU, and personally I'd say you can probably get more for your money elsewhere. It's a nice campus, and so if you're into nice things like that, then be my guest. Otherwise, the education will be just as good elsewhere, and maybe even better if you aren't planning on graduate work. I know Albany requires undergrads to intern at the WFO next door, so if you're looking at that aspect, Albany is nice. I think FSU and NC State might do similarly considering their WFOs are also on-campus, but I never visited their so I can't vouch for that. And if you like Millersville's price, anything public in NY has cheap out-of-state as well.
The key is to never close your doors, as I'm sure you discovered with Millersville. A visit and a talk with someone in the department is often all it takes to completely turn you around.
The key is to never close your doors, as I'm sure you discovered with Millersville. A visit and a talk with someone in the department is often all it takes to completely turn you around.
wxmann_91
Posted 30 June 2007 - 09:32 PM
Why are all the good met schools in the East?
brettjrob
Posted 30 June 2007 - 10:12 PM
wxmann_91, on Jun 30 2007, 09:32 PM, said:
Why are all the good met schools in the East?
Is that really true, or is it just the bias of this board?
OU is widely considered to be among the very best, yet it's rarely discussed here, so that should say something.
Isn't Washington supposed to be very good also? I think Mallow goes there, perhaps he could comment. Not that it would be in-state for you, but closer at least.
wxmann_91
Posted 30 June 2007 - 10:24 PM
brettjrob, on Jun 30 2007, 08:12 PM, said:
Is that really true, or is it just the bias of this board?
OU is widely considered to be among the very best, yet it's rarely discussed here, so that should say something.
Isn't Washington supposed to be very good also? I think Mallow goes there, perhaps he could comment. Not that it would be in-state for you, but closer at least.
OU is widely considered to be among the very best, yet it's rarely discussed here, so that should say something.
Isn't Washington supposed to be very good also? I think Mallow goes there, perhaps he could comment. Not that it would be in-state for you, but closer at least.
Maybe it's just a bias, I don't know. I heard there were some UC schools that had met programs, but I'm not sure how good they are.
Clark
Posted 30 June 2007 - 11:01 PM
UCLA has a pretty good atmospheric sciences program, both undergraduate and graduate I believe. The two professors that I know of that are there are very good researchers (at the least). There are probably others as well, but UCLA pops to mind at first.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 30 June 2007 - 11:13 PM
wxmann_91, on Jun 30 2007, 09:32 PM, said:
Why are all the good met schools in the East?
I don't think that's true. OU, Washington, Colorado State, UCLA, Iowa State, Texas Tech, and Wisconsin all have great programs, especially grad programs. I'd say a majority of the good graduate programs are actually not in the East.
Coastal BECS
Posted 12 August 2007 - 10:19 PM
Ok, I have my college list down to about 6 to apply to in about 2 or 3 months. I am currently looking at SUNY Oswego, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Oneonta, Millersville, Plymouth State, and now Lyndon State College. All cost about the same for out of state so I am looking for more. Could you all please rank these in order from best to least best. I know all are good but which is BEST? I am just unsure and I have little time to decide b/c I waited to long. Thanks alot.
snowmanwx
Posted 12 August 2007 - 11:13 PM
Coastal BECS, on Aug 12 2007, 10:19 PM, said:
Ok, I have my college list down to about 6 to apply to in about 2 or 3 months. I am currently looking at SUNY Oswego, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Oneonta, Millersville, Plymouth State, and now Lyndon State College. All cost about the same for out of state so I am looking for more. Could you all please rank these in order from best to least best. I know all are good but which is BEST? I am just unsure and I have little time to decide b/c I waited to long. Thanks alot.
I notice that you're from Virginia. If you major in meteorology or another major not offered in your state, you may qualify for in-state tuition through the Academic Common Market of the Southern Regional Education Board http://www.sreb.org/.../guidelines.asp I'm not sure if this will help you, but it's worth considering.
MerquryMan
Posted 12 August 2007 - 11:34 PM
Coastal BECS, on Aug 12 2007, 11:19 PM, said:
Ok, I have my college list down to about 6 to apply to in about 2 or 3 months. I am currently looking at SUNY Oswego, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Oneonta, Millersville, Plymouth State, and now Lyndon State College. All cost about the same for out of state so I am looking for more. Could you all please rank these in order from best to least best. I know all are good but which is BEST? I am just unsure and I have little time to decide b/c I waited to long. Thanks alot.
From my personal opinion. Ive visited Millersville, Lyndon, Oswego and Oneonta
Millersville
Plymouth
Lyndon
Oswego
Oneonta
Brockport
LocoAko
Posted 12 August 2007 - 11:41 PM
I'm about to start applying to colleges and am pretty stressed out about the situation (as usual ). My main choices are Rutgers, Penn State, Cornell, and to a lesser extent SUNY Albany and Millersville. I haven't visited SUNY Albany but I was told it was pretty good and that I should consider it more. I'm really paranoid about what school to go to, and so far from what I can gather of course Rutgers would be the cheapest for me at 19k/yr. Money's a big concern but I also really want to go to a great school. Since it looks like grad school is becoming more necessary, I know most undergrad schools don't focus on forecasting anyway so I'll get the same math/physics killer combo anywhere I go, it seems. In all likelihood it looks like I'll probably attend Rutgers because it's cheap(er), closer, and I think still a highly respected school (although in NJ it seems to not be held up to such a high regard). Sigh.
Not sure about Cornell, as I'd feel really silly working so hard and actually getting into an Ivy League school and turning it down for Rutgers or such. Should I feel silly about that? It's just really expensive, and I figure Met is hard enough... wouldn't the workload at Cornell make it even more difficult? Still, I'm sure a CU degree is more respected than any of the others listed above.
Grrr.
). My main choices are Rutgers, Penn State, Cornell, and to a lesser extent SUNY Albany and Millersville. I haven't visited SUNY Albany but I was told it was pretty good and that I should consider it more. I'm really paranoid about what school to go to, and so far from what I can gather of course Rutgers would be the cheapest for me at 19k/yr. Money's a big concern but I also really want to go to a great school. Since it looks like grad school is becoming more necessary, I know most undergrad schools don't focus on forecasting anyway so I'll get the same math/physics killer combo anywhere I go, it seems. In all likelihood it looks like I'll probably attend Rutgers because it's cheap(er), closer, and I think still a highly respected school (although in NJ it seems to not be held up to such a high regard). Sigh. Not sure about Cornell, as I'd feel really silly working so hard and actually getting into an Ivy League school and turning it down for Rutgers or such. Should I feel silly about that? It's just really expensive, and I figure Met is hard enough... wouldn't the workload at Cornell make it even more difficult? Still, I'm sure a CU degree is more respected than any of the others listed above.
Grrr.
MerquryMan
Posted 12 August 2007 - 11:45 PM
LocoAko, on Aug 13 2007, 12:41 AM, said:
I'm about to start applying to colleges and am pretty stressed out about the situation (as usual ). My main choices are Rutgers, Penn State, Cornell, and to a lesser extent SUNY Albany and Millersville. I haven't visited SUNY Albany but I was told it was pretty good and that I should consider it more. I'm really paranoid about what school to go to, and so far from what I can gather of course Rutgers would be the cheapest for me at 19k/yr. Money's a big concern but I also really want to go to a great school. Since it looks like grad school is becoming more necessary, I know most undergrad schools don't focus on forecasting anyway so I'll get the same math/physics killer combo anywhere I go, it seems. In all likelihood it looks like I'll probably attend Rutgers because it's cheap(er), closer, and I think still a highly respected school (although in NJ it seems to not be held up to such a high regard). Sigh.
Not sure about Cornell, as I'd feel really silly working so hard and actually getting into an Ivy League school and turning it down for Rutgers or such. Should I feel silly about that? It's just really expensive, and I figure Met is hard enough... wouldn't the workload at Cornell make it even more difficult? Still, I'm sure a CU degree is more respected than any of the others listed above.
Grrr.
). My main choices are Rutgers, Penn State, Cornell, and to a lesser extent SUNY Albany and Millersville. I haven't visited SUNY Albany but I was told it was pretty good and that I should consider it more. I'm really paranoid about what school to go to, and so far from what I can gather of course Rutgers would be the cheapest for me at 19k/yr. Money's a big concern but I also really want to go to a great school. Since it looks like grad school is becoming more necessary, I know most undergrad schools don't focus on forecasting anyway so I'll get the same math/physics killer combo anywhere I go, it seems. In all likelihood it looks like I'll probably attend Rutgers because it's cheap(er), closer, and I think still a highly respected school (although in NJ it seems to not be held up to such a high regard). Sigh. Not sure about Cornell, as I'd feel really silly working so hard and actually getting into an Ivy League school and turning it down for Rutgers or such. Should I feel silly about that? It's just really expensive, and I figure Met is hard enough... wouldn't the workload at Cornell make it even more difficult? Still, I'm sure a CU degree is more respected than any of the others listed above.
Grrr.
Believe it or not, An ivy league degree and a rutgers degree doesnt make much of a difference.
Also, Ive been to SUNY albany. Its vast, and cold. everythings designed in art deco, and the campus is kinda hard to figure out.
ORH_wxman
Posted 12 August 2007 - 11:47 PM
MerquryMan, on Aug 13 2007, 12:45 AM, said:
Believe it or not, An ivy league degree and a rutgers degree doesnt make much of a difference.
Also, Ive been to SUNY albany. Its vast, and cold. everythings designed in art deco, and the campus is kinda hard to figure out.
Also, Ive been to SUNY albany. Its vast, and cold. everythings designed in art deco, and the campus is kinda hard to figure out.
It's probably more important for grad school.
SUNY Albany has a really good grad program, but I haven't a lot of raving about the undergrad program there. Maybe its gotten better in the last 5 years.
forkyfork
Posted 13 August 2007 - 12:28 AM
the school of meteorology at the university of the sciences in the province of serenitatis, the moon
Snow Wizard
Posted 13 August 2007 - 01:21 AM
SkizophrenicStormChaser, on Jan 22 2006, 06:57 PM, said:
Millersville is closer, cheaper, and my GPA wasnt at PSU standards
Overall grade point isn't everything. You are a genius when it comes to long range forecasting, in my humble opinion.
The University of Washington has a very good met program also.
Snow Wizard
Posted 13 August 2007 - 01:25 AM
Clark, on Jun 30 2007, 11:01 PM, said:
UCLA has a pretty good atmospheric sciences program, both undergraduate and graduate I believe. The two professors that I know of that are there are very good researchers (at the least). There are probably others as well, but UCLA pops to mind at first.
I would go out of my bloody mind being that into meteorology and living in southern Cal!
Posted 13 August 2007 - 06:53 AM
ORH_wxman, on Aug 13 2007, 12:47 AM, said:
It's probably more important for grad school.
SUNY Albany has a really good grad program, but I haven't a lot of raving about the undergrad program there. Maybe its gotten better in the last 5 years.
SUNY Albany has a really good grad program, but I haven't a lot of raving about the undergrad program there. Maybe its gotten better in the last 5 years.
I went to SUNY Albany as an ungraduate and finished about 10 years ago. I thought it was a very good school for both undergraduate and graduate work. However, as stated above the campus and city are "awkward" and I found for socializing the area lacked a lot.
I think I've said it before, but maybe it bears repeating...I'm not sure if you will get a better met education at Lyndon State vs. SUNY Albany vs. Oswego vs. PSU, etc. At the undergraduate level a met education is largely determined by what you put into it.
If I had to do it all over again I would probably still go to SUNY Albany, but in hindsight for me it would have been probably a bit more fun to go somewhere else for all the non-met stuff one encounters in college.
Good luck.
Coastal BECS
Posted 13 August 2007 - 07:44 AM
snowmanwx, on Aug 13 2007, 12:13 AM, said:
I notice that you're from Virginia. If you major in meteorology or another major not offered in your state, you may qualify for in-state tuition through the Academic Common Market of the Southern Regional Education Board http://www.sreb.org/.../guidelines.asp I'm not sure if this will help you, but it's worth considering.
Thanks a lot for your link. However I have run across it before and found that it is only for Maryland south. I hate NC State campus so that is out and I am only looking at FL Schools for Grad school. Do any of you know if I can get In-State tuition for a Northern School like Millersville or Plymouth...etc. since Meteorology is no where to be found in VA? Thanks.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 13 August 2007 - 09:40 AM
LocoAko, on Aug 12 2007, 11:41 PM, said:
I'm about to start applying to colleges and am pretty stressed out about the situation (as usual ). My main choices are Rutgers, Penn State, Cornell, and to a lesser extent SUNY Albany and Millersville. I haven't visited SUNY Albany but I was told it was pretty good and that I should consider it more. I'm really paranoid about what school to go to, and so far from what I can gather of course Rutgers would be the cheapest for me at 19k/yr. Money's a big concern but I also really want to go to a great school. Since it looks like grad school is becoming more necessary, I know most undergrad schools don't focus on forecasting anyway so I'll get the same math/physics killer combo anywhere I go, it seems. In all likelihood it looks like I'll probably attend Rutgers because it's cheap(er), closer, and I think still a highly respected school (although in NJ it seems to not be held up to such a high regard). Sigh.
Not sure about Cornell, as I'd feel really silly working so hard and actually getting into an Ivy League school and turning it down for Rutgers or such. Should I feel silly about that? It's just really expensive, and I figure Met is hard enough... wouldn't the workload at Cornell make it even more difficult? Still, I'm sure a CU degree is more respected than any of the others listed above.
Grrr.
). My main choices are Rutgers, Penn State, Cornell, and to a lesser extent SUNY Albany and Millersville. I haven't visited SUNY Albany but I was told it was pretty good and that I should consider it more. I'm really paranoid about what school to go to, and so far from what I can gather of course Rutgers would be the cheapest for me at 19k/yr. Money's a big concern but I also really want to go to a great school. Since it looks like grad school is becoming more necessary, I know most undergrad schools don't focus on forecasting anyway so I'll get the same math/physics killer combo anywhere I go, it seems. In all likelihood it looks like I'll probably attend Rutgers because it's cheap(er), closer, and I think still a highly respected school (although in NJ it seems to not be held up to such a high regard). Sigh. Not sure about Cornell, as I'd feel really silly working so hard and actually getting into an Ivy League school and turning it down for Rutgers or such. Should I feel silly about that? It's just really expensive, and I figure Met is hard enough... wouldn't the workload at Cornell make it even more difficult? Still, I'm sure a CU degree is more respected than any of the others listed above.
Grrr.
No, you shouldn't feel silly turning it down if that ends up being the case. It's obviously a lot more expensive and you said money is a big concern. Like has been said, the difference would be in terms of getting into grad school, all things being equal. How are you in math and physics? The math and physics at Cornell are often taken in the engineering department, and Cornell has one of the top engineering programs in the country, so the math and physics are even harder than most. Of course, if you get through it, you're set and the math in grad school seems like a cake walk comparitively. But, if you've struggled, it might be best to go someplace else where it might not be as tough, and your not taking these classes with math geniuses. The meteorology is probably about the same everywhere for undergrad with minor differences, what would make Cornell more difficult would be your first two years of calculus and physics.
BlueGrassWeather
Posted 14 August 2007 - 02:30 AM
When I was in high school, I considered Cornell vs. PSU for my meteorology degree. I decided to go to Penn State, and am very glad that I did.... Penn State will give you an "Ivy League" meteorology education -- certainly among the best of the best. Penn State's met program has many more resources than Cornell's, and the faculty is extremely talented at PSU. I was initially tempted by the notion of an Ivy League school.... but in meteorology, the best educations tend to come from state schools (PSU, OU, Colorado State, University of Illinois, etc.).
For any other field of study, Cornell might be more 'impressive' -- but the number of Penn State contacts within the field of meteorology is hard to beat, and it's reputation speaks for itself.
The size of Penn State concerned me a little at first, but by my senior year, I had a few classes with less than ten students.
... edited to add....
A number of my classmates who went on to graduate school have really spoken positively about the graduate programs at SUNY Albany, University of Wisconsin, Florida State University & of course Oklahoma University. Interest in one specific avenue within the field (say, tropical meteorology or researching tornadogenesis) can be a deciding factor -- but that decision doesn't need to be made until grad school, if you're on the research or NHC, SPC, etc... track.
If you're more interested in broadcast meteorology, virtually any four year meteorology school will give you a great academic edge over about 50% of the 'tv weather' competition, right off the bat. A key factor in landing that first tv job is having the resources in college to spend time in front of the camera to work on the 'lighter' stuff... after all, those who do the hiring in TV care much more about how you present yourself than your level of understanding. A weather-weenie with 'soul', however, will want to do it 'right' and get the degree, in my opinion.
For any other field of study, Cornell might be more 'impressive' -- but the number of Penn State contacts within the field of meteorology is hard to beat, and it's reputation speaks for itself.
The size of Penn State concerned me a little at first, but by my senior year, I had a few classes with less than ten students.
... edited to add....
A number of my classmates who went on to graduate school have really spoken positively about the graduate programs at SUNY Albany, University of Wisconsin, Florida State University & of course Oklahoma University. Interest in one specific avenue within the field (say, tropical meteorology or researching tornadogenesis) can be a deciding factor -- but that decision doesn't need to be made until grad school, if you're on the research or NHC, SPC, etc... track.
If you're more interested in broadcast meteorology, virtually any four year meteorology school will give you a great academic edge over about 50% of the 'tv weather' competition, right off the bat. A key factor in landing that first tv job is having the resources in college to spend time in front of the camera to work on the 'lighter' stuff... after all, those who do the hiring in TV care much more about how you present yourself than your level of understanding. A weather-weenie with 'soul', however, will want to do it 'right' and get the degree, in my opinion.
neg-nao
Posted 11 July 2008 - 10:41 AM
Since I made this post a while back has anything new schools "popped up" that are the best to attend?
isohume
Posted 11 July 2008 - 06:38 PM
Iowa State was a good met school. Very heavy on the dynamics because it's more of a research school, but the synoptic courses were more than adaquate. Forecasting is a subjective art anyway, so once you have the basics it's up to you to develop them.
Go Clones!
Iowa_State_Cyclones.gif (25.1K)
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Go Clones!
Iowa_State_Cyclones.gif (25.1K)
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LocoAko
Posted 11 July 2008 - 09:10 PM
Scarlet Knights
turtlehurricane
Posted 11 July 2008 - 09:25 PM
I'm applying to MIT, Cornell, UW Madison, OU, and FSU when the apps come out. FSU is just backup, since it's free for Floridians and easy to get into. The others are all excellent and I will have a hard time choosing.
SacrydDreamz
Posted 11 July 2008 - 09:57 PM
Coastal BECS, on Aug 13 2007, 08:44 AM, said:
Thanks a lot for your link. However I have run across it before and found that it is only for Maryland south. I hate NC State campus so that is out and I am only looking at FL Schools for Grad school. Do any of you know if I can get In-State tuition for a Northern School like Millersville or Plymouth...etc. since Meteorology is no where to be found in VA? Thanks.
Yeah..... it's quite the eye sore.
The quality of education is good though...
If I could pick two other schools to have gone to -- it would be either Oklahoma (storm chasing, mesoscale focus) or Washington (quite the collection of professors there -- maybe the best, well rounded program).
Nikolai
Posted 11 July 2008 - 09:59 PM
Unless you have a 3.9 unweighted or better (3.75 for Cornell, and you had to have taken the hardest classes) and a 2300+ SAT score, you have no chance of getting into either Cornell or MIT. I know kids who were rejected from MIT with near perfect SATs and perfect GPAs.
If you have a 3.5+ and SATs better than 2100, UW Madison & OU should both be easy to get into.
If you have a 3.5+ and SATs better than 2100, UW Madison & OU should both be easy to get into.
ORH_wxman
Posted 11 July 2008 - 10:04 PM
Mizz Parton, on Jul 11 2008, 10:59 PM, said:
Unless you have a 3.9 unweighted or better (3.75 for Cornell, and you had to have taken the hardest classes) and a 2300+ SAT score, you have no chance of getting into either Cornell or MIT. I know kids who were rejected from MIT with near perfect SATs and perfect GPAs.
If you have a 3.5+ and SATs better than 2100, UW Madison & OU should both be easy to get into.
If you have a 3.5+ and SATs better than 2100, UW Madison & OU should both be easy to get into.
I got into Cornell with a 3.6 in high school. Granted that was 9 years ago, but I know a lot of people who got into meteorology program there without a ridiculous GPA, even in more recent years.
Applying to the Met program there will help out a lot...just trying to get into the university without specifically stating you want to major in Atmospheric Science will make it much tougher to get in. The met program is fairly small for each class (usually less than 20) so they like it when students apply for it.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 11 July 2008 - 10:04 PM
Mizz Parton, on Jul 11 2008, 09:59 PM, said:
Unless you have a 3.9 unweighted or better (3.75 for Cornell, and you had to have taken the hardest classes) and a 2300+ SAT score, you have no chance of getting into either Cornell or MIT.
My GPA was not 3.75, FWIW, so I'm not sure that's true, at least for Cornell.
SacrydDreamz
Posted 11 July 2008 - 10:08 PM
Oh yeah, I don't think anyone has mentioned this -- but if you really want something new -- go to McGill in Montreal. It's a very, very good program there.... equally as good as any American program.
Nikolai
Posted 11 July 2008 - 10:11 PM
AtticaFanatica, on Jul 11 2008, 11:04 PM, said:
My GPA was not 3.75, FWIW, so I'm not sure that's true, at least for Cornell.
When did you apply?
This year and the coming year are expected to be the most competitive in history, including the forseeable future.
turtlehurricane
Posted 11 July 2008 - 10:12 PM
ORH_wxman, on Jul 11 2008, 11:04 PM, said:
I got into Cornell with a 3.6 in high school. Granted that was 9 years ago, but I know a lot of people who got into meteorology program there without a ridiculous GPA, even in more recent years.
Applying to the Met program there will help out a lot...just trying to get into the university without specifically stating you want to major in Atmospheric Science will make it much tougher to get in. The met program is fairly small for each class (usually less than 20) so they like it when students apply for it.
Applying to the Met program there will help out a lot...just trying to get into the university without specifically stating you want to major in Atmospheric Science will make it much tougher to get in. The met program is fairly small for each class (usually less than 20) so they like it when students apply for it.
I'm going to definitely major in a form of atmospheric science, just more physics/math oriented than regular met school. And thanks for the info... I have a 3.8 and 1470 SAT when you convert the ACT, so I think I got a shot.
I'm gonna be visiting within a few months, probably will do an interview or something of the sort. Will be doing the same for MIT. If I get into either MIT or Cornell I'll be very happy.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 11 July 2008 - 10:15 PM
Mizz Parton, on Jul 11 2008, 10:11 PM, said:
When did you apply?
Fall of 1998
Mizz Parton, on Jul 11 2008, 10:11 PM, said:
This year and the coming year are expected to be the most competitive in history, including the forseeable future.
I know, I was up there a few months ago, there won't be a strict 3.75 GPA cutoff as you're implying.
ORH_wxman
Posted 11 July 2008 - 10:19 PM
turtlehurricane, on Jul 11 2008, 11:12 PM, said:
I'm going to definitely major in a form of atmospheric science, just more physics/math oriented than regular met school. And thanks for the info... I have a 3.8 and 1470 SAT when you convert the ACT, so I think I got a shot.
I'm gonna be visiting within a few months, probably will do an interview or something of the sort. Will be doing the same for MIT. If I get into either MIT or Cornell I'll be very happy.
I'm gonna be visiting within a few months, probably will do an interview or something of the sort. Will be doing the same for MIT. If I get into either MIT or Cornell I'll be very happy.
I'd give you at least a 50/50 shot to get into Cornell, probably more like 60/40. Their program is definitely geared toward grad school, even though I didn't take that route. But since you probably want to do tropical meteorology (I assume), grad school is the place to do that...so Cornell undergrad would be pretty good for you. It would give you a great chance to get into a lot of grad schools and also prepare you well....they are very math oriented, so make sure you know your calculus.
PM me if you have any questions, I know all the faculty there...including the department head. If you get on his good side, he can really help you out, both with getting in and future prospects. Attica can give you help too I'm sure, we graduated in the same class.
nyratk1
Posted 11 July 2008 - 10:28 PM
LocoAko, on Jul 11 2008, 10:10 PM, said:
Scarlet Knights
Go...uhh, what the hell are Seawolves? Aww dammit.
My school's athletics suck
tornadotony
Posted 11 July 2008 - 10:29 PM
turtlehurricane, on Jul 11 2008, 09:25 PM, said:
I'm applying to MIT, Cornell, UW Madison, OU, and FSU when the apps come out. FSU is just backup, since it's free for Floridians and easy to get into. The others are all excellent and I will have a hard time choosing.
Apply to Valpo...
Nikolai
Posted 11 July 2008 - 10:34 PM
turtlehurricane, on Jul 11 2008, 11:12 PM, said:
I'm going to definitely major in a form of atmospheric science, just more physics/math oriented than regular met school. And thanks for the info... I have a 3.8 and 1470 SAT when you convert the ACT, so I think I got a shot.
I'm gonna be visiting within a few months, probably will do an interview or something of the sort. Will be doing the same for MIT. If I get into either MIT or Cornell I'll be very happy.
I'm gonna be visiting within a few months, probably will do an interview or something of the sort. Will be doing the same for MIT. If I get into either MIT or Cornell I'll be very happy.
3.8 unweighted?
How many honors/APs have you taken?
Going off of what you just gave, I'd guarantee you're going to get rejected from MIT, but I'd give you a decent chance of getting into Cornell, probably 60/40 like ORH said.
I'd also take the SAT... from what I've heard, Northern colleges prefer the SAT to the ACT, although they do take both.
brettjrob
Posted 11 July 2008 - 10:35 PM
Mizz Parton, on Jul 11 2008, 09:59 PM, said:
If you have a 3.5+ and SATs better than 2100, UW Madison & OU should both be easy to get into.
For OU, admission is practically a given for anyone with a half-respectable GPA and SAT/ACT. The exact criteria for automatic admission can be found here:
http://admissions.ou.edu/freshadm.html
It's a big program, and the facilities here are arguably the best in the nation since the opening of the NWC. If your primary interest is severe weather, it's hard to beat, as SPC/NSSL are housed in the same building as the School of Meteorology, and both offer student employment/internship opportunities. The primary advantages to choosing OU for undergrad, IMHO only, revolve around these kinds of "extracurricular" opportunities, as well as storm chasing and immersing yourself in the weather mecca of Norman. The program itself, while highly regarded and an excellent preparation for pursuing higher education, shares some of the disadvantages common to large research universities: big class sizes, professors who are busy with research and their doctoral/masters students, and very little emphasis on applied aspects of meteorology in the curriculum. That's not to say the professors are unhelpful by any means; they just have a lot on their plates besides the undergraduate classes, and in many cases their interests tend to be more in the pure physics/mathematics rather than forecasting or synoptic. Of course, from what I've heard, many of these things are also true at Penn State, Cornell, etc. Because I'm planning on pursuing an M.S., I'm happy with my decision to come here, but if I were looking strictly to get a Bachelor's and go into forecasting I might be more inclined to look at smaller and/or undergraduate-only programs like Millersville.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 11 July 2008 - 10:38 PM
Yeah, that's what I really liked about Cornell, no real graduate program, so the faculty was pretty invested in your success as an undergrad.
turtlehurricane
Posted 11 July 2008 - 11:03 PM
brettjrob, on Jul 11 2008, 11:35 PM, said:
For OU, admission is practically a given for anyone with a half-respectable GPA and SAT/ACT. The exact criteria for automatic admission can be found here:
http://admissions.ou.edu/freshadm.html
It's a big program, and the facilities here are arguably the best in the nation since the opening of the NWC. If your primary interest is severe weather, it's hard to beat, as SPC/NSSL are housed in the same building as the School of Meteorology, and both offer student employment/internship opportunities. The primary advantages to choosing OU for undergrad, IMHO only, revolve around these kinds of "extracurricular" opportunities, as well as storm chasing and immersing yourself in the weather mecca of Norman. The program itself, while highly regarded and an excellent preparation for pursuing higher education, shares some of the disadvantages common to large research universities: big class sizes, professors who are busy with research and their doctoral/masters students, and very little emphasis on applied aspects of meteorology in the curriculum. That's not to say the professors are unhelpful by any means; they just have a lot on their plates besides the undergraduate classes, and in many cases their interests tend to be more in the pure physics/mathematics rather than forecasting or synoptic. Of course, from what I've heard, many of these things are also true at Penn State, Cornell, etc. Because I'm planning on pursuing an M.S., I'm happy with my decision to come here, but if I were looking strictly to get a Bachelor's and go into forecasting I might be more inclined to look at smaller and/or undergraduate-only programs like Millersville.
http://admissions.ou.edu/freshadm.html
It's a big program, and the facilities here are arguably the best in the nation since the opening of the NWC. If your primary interest is severe weather, it's hard to beat, as SPC/NSSL are housed in the same building as the School of Meteorology, and both offer student employment/internship opportunities. The primary advantages to choosing OU for undergrad, IMHO only, revolve around these kinds of "extracurricular" opportunities, as well as storm chasing and immersing yourself in the weather mecca of Norman. The program itself, while highly regarded and an excellent preparation for pursuing higher education, shares some of the disadvantages common to large research universities: big class sizes, professors who are busy with research and their doctoral/masters students, and very little emphasis on applied aspects of meteorology in the curriculum. That's not to say the professors are unhelpful by any means; they just have a lot on their plates besides the undergraduate classes, and in many cases their interests tend to be more in the pure physics/mathematics rather than forecasting or synoptic. Of course, from what I've heard, many of these things are also true at Penn State, Cornell, etc. Because I'm planning on pursuing an M.S., I'm happy with my decision to come here, but if I were looking strictly to get a Bachelor's and go into forecasting I might be more inclined to look at smaller and/or undergraduate-only programs like Millersville.
I am seriously looking into OU as my first choice lately btw. They have great people and a great program, and that's what I want. I don't care if it isn't as prestigious on a whole as MIT or Cornell, but the met program there rivals those schools from the looks of it.
That being said, Cornell and MIT are great too, and UW Madison. Ugh, this is gonna be hard.
Thanks Will for the offer, and I'll be asking you questions at some point
And Nikolai, yeah, 3.8 or 3.85 unweighted. Too many honors to count and 8 APs. I think I have a shot at MIT due to my extracurriculars. They don't accept people who have perfect scores often, so I'm guessing they accept the less perfect and more well rounded people at a fair clip.
Nikolai
Posted 11 July 2008 - 11:12 PM
turtlehurricane, on Jul 12 2008, 12:03 AM, said:
I am seriously looking into OU as my first choice lately btw. They have great people and a great program, and that's what I want. I don't care if it isn't as prestigious on a whole as MIT or Cornell, but the met program there rivals those schools from the looks of it.
That being said, Cornell and MIT are great too, and UW Madison. Ugh, this is gonna be hard.
Thanks Will for the offer, and I'll be asking you questions at some point
And Nikolai, yeah, 3.8 or 3.85 unweighted. Too many honors to count and 8 APs. I think I have a shot at MIT due to my extracurriculars. They don't accept people who have perfect scores often, so I'm guessing they accept the less perfect and more well rounded people at a fair clip.
That being said, Cornell and MIT are great too, and UW Madison. Ugh, this is gonna be hard.
Thanks Will for the offer, and I'll be asking you questions at some point
And Nikolai, yeah, 3.8 or 3.85 unweighted. Too many honors to count and 8 APs. I think I have a shot at MIT due to my extracurriculars. They don't accept people who have perfect scores often, so I'm guessing they accept the less perfect and more well rounded people at a fair clip.
They don't accept too many with perfect scores because practically everyone who gets in has a perfect score, meaning that a good portion of those with 2400s get rejected.
TJHSST (the local magnet, usually rated best in the country) sens a dozen or two every year, but even from that school about half get rejected & they all have GPAs north of 3.9 and SATs above 2300. Crazy.
Although my school had a good year last year (my senior year... I believe four got into Columbia, another four into UPenn, and one person got into Princeton out of a graduating class of ~450), only one person even came close to getting into MIT, and that was because she was on crew. She was waitlisted & ultimately denied acceptance, but her grades weren't amazing... I believe a 3.7ish weighted and a 2100ish SAT. Then again, one of the people who got into Columbia also did crew and had only a 2.9 GPA... his SAT score was almost perfect, though.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 11 July 2008 - 11:51 PM
U_Thant, on Jul 11 2008, 11:44 PM, said:
If you get into Cornell, remember this one thing, grasshopper...
Dan Wilks' stat met course is a 'must take'.
Dan Wilks' stat met course is a 'must take'.
Good class, awesome guy
U_Thant
Posted 11 July 2008 - 11:53 PM
AtticaFanatica, on Jul 12 2008, 12:51 AM, said:
Good class, awesome guy
Crap...meant to edit my post...but hit delete instead.
He was my advisor there. One of the driest senses of humor I have ever encountered.
My first year there was also the year Colucci arrived there from UVA. I think Wysocki had just started there and had just gotten his M.S. I remember reading his thesis on latent heat release in xtrop cyclones. His case study was the "white hurricane" of Jan 26, 1978. Some of the best years of my life. Our floor had a IM softball team. We sucked but it was fun drinking heavily at the games.
LocoAko
Posted 11 July 2008 - 11:54 PM
I have a major chip on my shoulder about Cornell. For what it's worth, I was rejected but was given a "guaranteed transfer" for sophomore year. My GPA is 92/100 and my SATs are 1290/1600. I turned it down to stay at Rutgers because the requirements were unfair and the money was an issue. I wanted an estimate of what I would have gotten had I gotten in (since it'll be similar next year) and they said they couldn't do that for me. They also require BIO 101 and 102 w/ lab, etc. Makes no sense. So I could have potentially messed up my RU schedule and busted my ass in the BIO courses only to find out I can't afford it. Not worth it.
I think you have a shot at Cornell, a decent one. You need your extracurriculars to be good, which I'm sure they are. MIT... good luck. We had 3 from my school get in out of a graduating class of ~160. They're pretty much geniuses though. Not that you aren't, but almost everyone who gets in has a near perfect or perfect SAT, so if you have less than that, you really need to compensate.
I was upset about the Cornell thing but I realized the only reason I wanted to go there was the prestige and that logically it wasn't the best option for me (distance, money, etc). Plus, I am not sure about grad school yet, but it's not my ultimate goal right now, so it just wasn't worth it. But I wish you the best of luck!
I turned it down to stay at Rutgers because the requirements were unfair and the money was an issue. I wanted an estimate of what I would have gotten had I gotten in (since it'll be similar next year) and they said they couldn't do that for me. They also require BIO 101 and 102 w/ lab, etc. Makes no sense. So I could have potentially messed up my RU schedule and busted my ass in the BIO courses only to find out I can't afford it. Not worth it.I think you have a shot at Cornell, a decent one. You need your extracurriculars to be good, which I'm sure they are. MIT... good luck.
We had 3 from my school get in out of a graduating class of ~160. They're pretty much geniuses though. Not that you aren't, but almost everyone who gets in has a near perfect or perfect SAT, so if you have less than that, you really need to compensate. I was upset about the Cornell thing but I realized the only reason I wanted to go there was the prestige and that logically it wasn't the best option for me (distance, money, etc). Plus, I am not sure about grad school yet, but it's not my ultimate goal right now, so it just wasn't worth it. But I wish you the best of luck!
SacrydDreamz
Posted 11 July 2008 - 11:57 PM
NO one wants to go to Canada... oh well..
AtticaFanatica
Posted 11 July 2008 - 11:59 PM
LocoAko, on Jul 11 2008, 11:54 PM, said:
I have a major chip on my shoulder about Cornell. For what it's worth, I was rejected but was given a "guaranteed transfer" for sophomore year. My GPA is 92/100 and my SATs are 1290/1600. I turned it down to stay at Rutgers because the requirements were unfair and the money was an issue. I wanted an estimate of what I would have gotten had I gotten in (since it'll be similar next year) and they said they couldn't do that for me. They also require BIO 101 and 102 w/ lab, etc. Makes no sense. So I could have potentially messed up my RU schedule and busted my ass in the BIO courses only to find out I can't afford it. Not worth it.
I turned it down to stay at Rutgers because the requirements were unfair and the money was an issue. I wanted an estimate of what I would have gotten had I gotten in (since it'll be similar next year) and they said they couldn't do that for me. They also require BIO 101 and 102 w/ lab, etc. Makes no sense. So I could have potentially messed up my RU schedule and busted my ass in the BIO courses only to find out I can't afford it. Not worth it.I really don't see what your beef is, this is all pretty normal. The biology requirement is for the Ag college, there's nothing that the met department can do about it, it's out of their control.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 12 July 2008 - 12:05 AM
U_Thant, on Jul 11 2008, 11:53 PM, said:
Crap...meant to edit my post...but hit delete instead.
He was my advisor there. One of the driest senses of humor I have ever encountered.
My first year there was also the year Colucci arrived there from UVA. I think Wysocki had just started there and had just gotten his M.S. I remember reading his thesis on latent heat release in xtrop cyclones. His case study was the "white hurricane" of Jan 26, 1978. Some of the best years of my life. Our floor had a IM softball team. We sucked but it was fun drinking heavily at the games.
He was my advisor there. One of the driest senses of humor I have ever encountered.
My first year there was also the year Colucci arrived there from UVA. I think Wysocki had just started there and had just gotten his M.S. I remember reading his thesis on latent heat release in xtrop cyclones. His case study was the "white hurricane" of Jan 26, 1978. Some of the best years of my life. Our floor had a IM softball team. We sucked but it was fun drinking heavily at the games.
Yeah, he's interesting, some don't like him (Wilks), but I thought he was hilarious. Good times
ORH_wxman
Posted 12 July 2008 - 12:08 AM
AtticaFanatica, on Jul 12 2008, 01:05 AM, said:
Yeah, he's interesting, some don't like him, but I thought he was hilarious. Good times
Wysocki is obsessed with the Cleveland superbomb of 1978.
ORH_wxman
Posted 12 July 2008 - 12:13 AM
LocoAko, on Jul 12 2008, 12:54 AM, said:
I have a major chip on my shoulder about Cornell. For what it's worth, I was rejected but was given a "guaranteed transfer" for sophomore year. My GPA is 92/100 and my SATs are 1290/1600.
Jake, I think this is a bit unfair to Cornell...while I obviously have a bias in its favor...you also have to remember that your SAT was well below its mean, but you still were offered a chance to transfer. The Bio thing sucks, yeah, but its hardly a horrible detriment in doing the curriculum, its usually the math that bothers people.
Dsnowx53-
Posted 12 July 2008 - 12:20 AM
I don't have anything against Cornell... I'm actually happy that they gave me a guaranteed transfer option (same thing Jake got) My GPA was 96.2/100 (weighted) and my SAT was only a 1250... my extracirriculars were pretty good though... I was always on cross country and track, I sang a lot, including singing at the Schneider Childrens Hospital and the senior center in town on two occasions, and I was captain of the chess team.
But I turned down their offer also... I didn't want to cram my schedule and make things all disorganized with BIO 101/102, and even though I am an in-stater, Cornell was still much more expensive for me than Rutgers. With scholarships and whatnot, I am paying ~20-21K a year at Rutgers... with Cornell it would have been 28K I believe.
Plus it would have been hard to go to Rutgers for a year knowing I was leaving... it would be hard to make a lot of close friends, but then leave them... it would be kind of sad. And then starting the whole "freshman" process all over again... how would I know that I would like Cornell better than Rutgers? I may have really liked Rutgers, and wanted to stay, thus making the extra effort to take BIO 101 and 102, and have to get a B in both classes be a waste, especially considering that I don't like BIO.
But I turned down their offer also... I didn't want to cram my schedule and make things all disorganized with BIO 101/102, and even though I am an in-stater, Cornell was still much more expensive for me than Rutgers. With scholarships and whatnot, I am paying ~20-21K a year at Rutgers... with Cornell it would have been 28K I believe.
Plus it would have been hard to go to Rutgers for a year knowing I was leaving... it would be hard to make a lot of close friends, but then leave them... it would be kind of sad. And then starting the whole "freshman" process all over again... how would I know that I would like Cornell better than Rutgers? I may have really liked Rutgers, and wanted to stay, thus making the extra effort to take BIO 101 and 102, and have to get a B in both classes be a waste, especially considering that I don't like BIO.
AtticaFanatica
Posted 12 July 2008 - 12:26 AM
Dsnowx53-, on Jul 12 2008, 12:20 AM, said:
I don't have anything against Cornell... I'm actually happy that they gave me a guaranteed transfer option (same thing Jake got) My GPA was 96.2/100 (weighted) and my SAT was only a 1250... my extracirriculars were pretty good though... I was always on cross country and track, I sang a lot, including singing at the Schneider Childrens Hospital and the senior center in town on two occasions, and I was captain of the chess team.
But I turned down their offer also... I didn't want to cram my schedule and make things all disorganized with BIO 101/102, and even though I am an in-stater, Cornell was still much more expensive for me than Rutgers. With scholarships and whatnot, I am paying ~20-21K a year at Rutgers... with Cornell it would have been 28K I believe.
Plus it would have been hard to go to Rutgers for a year knowing I was leaving... it would be hard to make a lot of close friends, but then leave them... it would be kind of sad. And then starting the whole "freshman" process all over again... how would I know that I would like Cornell better than Rutgers? I may have really liked Rutgers, and wanted to stay, thus making the extra effort to take BIO 101 and 102, and have to get a B in both classes be a waste, especially considering that I don't like BIO.
But I turned down their offer also... I didn't want to cram my schedule and make things all disorganized with BIO 101/102, and even though I am an in-stater, Cornell was still much more expensive for me than Rutgers. With scholarships and whatnot, I am paying ~20-21K a year at Rutgers... with Cornell it would have been 28K I believe.
Plus it would have been hard to go to Rutgers for a year knowing I was leaving... it would be hard to make a lot of close friends, but then leave them... it would be kind of sad. And then starting the whole "freshman" process all over again... how would I know that I would like Cornell better than Rutgers? I may have really liked Rutgers, and wanted to stay, thus making the extra effort to take BIO 101 and 102, and have to get a B in both classes be a waste, especially considering that I don't like BIO.
Yeah, I don't think I could have transferred after one year either, too many friends, just starting to get accustomed, etc. and then having to do it all over again.
Dsnowx53-
Posted 12 July 2008 - 12:33 AM
AtticaFanatica, on Jul 12 2008, 01:26 AM, said:
Yeah, I don't think I could have transferred after one year either, too many friends, just starting to get accustomed, etc. and then having to do it all over again.
Yeah, that was more so the reason than the money.
If I got regular acceptance to Cornell, I would have chosen them over Rutgers. But 1 year at Rutgers, and 3 years at Cornell, with the first year at Cornell being a "re-adjustment" year and me missing a lot of friends was not a better option than going to Rutgers for 4 years.
jm1220
Posted 12 July 2008 - 02:01 AM
Dsnowx53-, on Jul 12 2008, 01:33 AM, said:
Yeah, that was more so the reason than the money.
If I got regular acceptance to Cornell, I would have chosen them over Rutgers. But 1 year at Rutgers, and 3 years at Cornell, with the first year at Cornell being a "re-adjustment" year and me missing a lot of friends was not a better option than going to Rutgers for 4 years.
If I got regular acceptance to Cornell, I would have chosen them over Rutgers. But 1 year at Rutgers, and 3 years at Cornell, with the first year at Cornell being a "re-adjustment" year and me missing a lot of friends was not a better option than going to Rutgers for 4 years.
I'm surprised-I had a top 8% class rank, 1340/1600 SAT, and 93.4/100 unweighted GPA, and still didn't get in.
LocoAko
Posted 13 July 2008 - 01:22 PM
Dsnowx53-, on Jul 12 2008, 01:33 AM, said:
Yeah, that was more so the reason than the money.
If I got regular acceptance to Cornell, I would have chosen them over Rutgers. But 1 year at Rutgers, and 3 years at Cornell, with the first year at Cornell being a "re-adjustment" year and me missing a lot of friends was not a better option than going to Rutgers for 4 years.
If I got regular acceptance to Cornell, I would have chosen them over Rutgers. But 1 year at Rutgers, and 3 years at Cornell, with the first year at Cornell being a "re-adjustment" year and me missing a lot of friends was not a better option than going to Rutgers for 4 years.
Same here.
Sorry for coming off unnecesasrily harsh against Cornell. I think my frustration was misdirected. Although the BIO thing I wasn't that pleased about - I would have done it. The whole money thing bothered me, because if I would have just been able to get an estimate of what my financial aid package would be for next year (or rather, what it would have been this year), I would know if I could afford it and if there was a possibility I could have, I would have taken all the BIO stuff in a heartbeat. Money as an issue is important to me, being out of state, and they just shrugged me off immediately telling me they couldn't help me - despite having all my FAFSA information, my CSS profile, etc. I explained the situation to them and why it was so crucial for me to know the estimate but they just didn't want to help me. I think that's why I'm a bit frustrated with them.
One of those... "it's about the Bio, but it's not really about the Bio" situations.
Sorry if I frustrated anybody.
NorEaster27
Posted 13 July 2008 - 02:07 PM
AtticaFanatica, on Jul 12 2008, 01:05 AM, said:
Yeah, he's interesting, some don't like him (Wilks), but I thought he was hilarious. Good times
Just don't go to shake his hand
NorEaster27
Posted 13 July 2008 - 02:15 PM
jm1220, on Jul 12 2008, 03:01 AM, said:
I'm surprised-I had a top 8% class rank, 1340/1600 SAT, and 93.4/100 unweighted GPA, and still didn't get in.
I had a lower SAT but a higher GPA and I got into Cornell, its a weird process.
NorEaster27
Posted 13 July 2008 - 02:18 PM
LocoAko, on Jul 13 2008, 02:22 PM, said:
Same here.
Sorry for coming off unnecesasrily harsh against Cornell. I think my frustration was misdirected. Although the BIO thing I wasn't that pleased about - I would have done it. The whole money thing bothered me, because if I would have just been able to get an estimate of what my financial aid package would be for next year (or rather, what it would have been this year), I would know if I could afford it and if there was a possibility I could have, I would have taken all the BIO stuff in a heartbeat. Money as an issue is important to me, being out of state, and they just shrugged me off immediately telling me they couldn't help me - despite having all my FAFSA information, my CSS profile, etc. I explained the situation to them and why it was so crucial for me to know the estimate but they just didn't want to help me. I think that's why I'm a bit frustrated with them.
One of those... "it's about the Bio, but it's not really about the Bio" situations. Sorry if I frustrated anybody.
Sorry for coming off unnecesasrily harsh against Cornell. I think my frustration was misdirected. Although the BIO thing I wasn't that pleased about - I would have done it. The whole money thing bothered me, because if I would have just been able to get an estimate of what my financial aid package would be for next year (or rather, what it would have been this year), I would know if I could afford it and if there was a possibility I could have, I would have taken all the BIO stuff in a heartbeat. Money as an issue is important to me, being out of state, and they just shrugged me off immediately telling me they couldn't help me - despite having all my FAFSA information, my CSS profile, etc. I explained the situation to them and why it was so crucial for me to know the estimate but they just didn't want to help me. I think that's why I'm a bit frustrated with them.
One of those... "it's about the Bio, but it's not really about the Bio" situations.
Sorry if I frustrated anybody.Whats weird is that they require BIO 101, 102 when at Cornell we were allowed to take BIO 109/110 which is biology for non-bio majors so I would think its less extensive that the primary bio 101/102 at RU.
SacrydDreamz
Posted 13 July 2008 - 02:31 PM
Dsnowx53-, on Jul 12 2008, 01:33 AM, said:
Yeah, that was more so the reason than the money.
If I got regular acceptance to Cornell, I would have chosen them over Rutgers. But 1 year at Rutgers, and 3 years at Cornell, with the first year at Cornell being a "re-adjustment" year and me missing a lot of friends was not a better option than going to Rutgers for 4 years.
If I got regular acceptance to Cornell, I would have chosen them over Rutgers. But 1 year at Rutgers, and 3 years at Cornell, with the first year at Cornell being a "re-adjustment" year and me missing a lot of friends was not a better option than going to Rutgers for 4 years.
Transferring isn't that bad -- I did it twice, from community college to Virginia Tech, and from there to NC State. The transition from VT to NCSU was tough, because I moved away from my wife (then fiancé) and friends I already had and made while there... but after a year at NCSU I had another great set of friends while still maintaining relationships with my friends at Tech.... Hey, doesn't hurt to have so many contacts ya know
Will, didn't you go to grad school at Virginia Tech?
NECT
Posted 13 July 2008 - 07:53 PM
Just remember...wherever you apply or wherever you go..
There is someone who is #1 in their class, at every high school. Someone is class president, president of student council, really good at track, tennis, lacrosse, chess, music...the list goes on.
Cornell wants to be impressed by their applicants, as do many other highly competitive colleges, Tink about it, why do they want you instead of the student at thousands of other high schools with the same qualifications.
Good luck, work hard.
There is someone who is #1 in their class, at every high school. Someone is class president, president of student council, really good at track, tennis, lacrosse, chess, music...the list goes on.
Cornell wants to be impressed by their applicants, as do many other highly competitive colleges, Tink about it, why do they want you instead of the student at thousands of other high schools with the same qualifications.
Good luck, work hard.
jm1220
Posted 13 July 2008 - 08:15 PM
LocoAko, on Jul 13 2008, 02:22 PM, said:
Same here.
Sorry for coming off unnecesasrily harsh against Cornell. I think my frustration was misdirected. Although the BIO thing I wasn't that pleased about - I would have done it. The whole money thing bothered me, because if I would have just been able to get an estimate of what my financial aid package would be for next year (or rather, what it would have been this year), I would know if I could afford it and if there was a possibility I could have, I would have taken all the BIO stuff in a heartbeat. Money as an issue is important to me, being out of state, and they just shrugged me off immediately telling me they couldn't help me - despite having all my FAFSA information, my CSS profile, etc. I explained the situation to them and why it was so crucial for me to know the estimate but they just didn't want to help me. I think that's why I'm a bit frustrated with them.
One of those... "it's about the Bio, but it's not really about the Bio" situations. Sorry if I frustrated anybody.
Sorry for coming off unnecesasrily harsh against Cornell. I think my frustration was misdirected. Although the BIO thing I wasn't that pleased about - I would have done it. The whole money thing bothered me, because if I would have just been able to get an estimate of what my financial aid package would be for next year (or rather, what it would have been this year), I would know if I could afford it and if there was a possibility I could have, I would have taken all the BIO stuff in a heartbeat. Money as an issue is important to me, being out of state, and they just shrugged me off immediately telling me they couldn't help me - despite having all my FAFSA information, my CSS profile, etc. I explained the situation to them and why it was so crucial for me to know the estimate but they just didn't want to help me. I think that's why I'm a bit frustrated with them.
One of those... "it's about the Bio, but it's not really about the Bio" situations.
Sorry if I frustrated anybody.My biggest frustration by far with Penn State is the financial aid office. PSU is ranked highly in pretty much every category except financial aid. This year they denied me Work-Study and when I asked the officer why, despite my financial information not changing, they told me "we don't know, we'll find out". 2 weeks later, still no answer. My tuition this year is about $27K for the year, before any other costs not on the bill. PHEAA's on the rocks as well due to money there being mishandled and other scandals, which is screwing over thousands more students who rely on them for money-this after being assured that student servicing would not be affected. 9 times out of 10, the financial aid officers seem completely aloof when I speak to them. I don't think it helps either that our school is literally bursting at the seams with all the incoming freshmen since our football season back in 2005 when we went #3 (and we became the #2 party school in the country next to UT-Austin). In the fall of 2006, RAs were living with students for a time and supplemental housing was completely filled.
As for Bio, there are classes here that every science major has to take as well. I had to take introductory Chem and a lab even though almost none of what we covered is helpful in Meteo.
dg12x
Posted 13 July 2008 - 10:38 PM
jm1220, on Jul 12 2008, 03:01 AM, said:
I'm surprised-I had a top 8% class rank, 1340/1600 SAT, and 93.4/100 unweighted GPA, and still didn't get in.
There's plenty of other things taken into account. While I'm talking over 4 years ago, I had a 1420 SAT, good SATII's, was in the top 3% of my graduating class with AP classes out the wazoo, and had tons of volunteer work and extra-cirriculars...I still did not get in. Someone else in my year had worse GPA/SAT's and got in most likely because of a really good essay (his father was an English professor). I always laugh when I think back to high school days how competitve it was and how little that really matters in the long run. Anyway, going to Penn State was the best decision I ever made, as I had a job in meteorology lined up before I even graduated. It's not always where you go to school, but what you make of it. A library at an Ivy League school has most of the same books as another college...it has a lot to do with who is reading that book...or who is sitting in the classroom listening to the lecture.
neg-nao
Posted 15 July 2008 - 10:20 AM
Is Rutgers a good Met School?
tyler
Posted 15 July 2008 - 10:37 AM
I am going to be a sophmore in HS this fall and this is the time to start getting ideas on colleges. I have great grades (slightly over 4.0 GPA) and play club soccer for one of the top teams in the state of NJ as well as for my HS (although we are pretty pathetic only going 4-16 last year.) My parents make great money, but they really want me to get a scholarship (like every parent would.) My dad would like me to stay near home so colleges like Rutgers, Penn State, Millersville, & Delaware are probably my best choices. I wouldn't mind broadcasting, but working for the NWS has become more of a passion. As some have said earlier, "It's not what school you go to, but what you make of it," is a great quote. When can someone of my age, turning 16 in 7 months, start interning? I know there is a number of people on here who work at the NWS and any insight would be helpful. Thanks in advance.
jdsnow85
Posted 15 July 2008 - 11:00 AM
Mizz Parton, on Jul 11 2008, 10:59 PM, said:
Unless you have a 3.9 unweighted or better (3.75 for Cornell, and you had to have taken the hardest classes) and a 2300+ SAT score, you have no chance of getting into either Cornell or MIT. I know kids who were rejected from MIT with near perfect SATs and perfect GPAs.
If you have a 3.5+ and SATs better than 2100, UW Madison & OU should both be easy to get into.
If you have a 3.5+ and SATs better than 2100, UW Madison & OU should both be easy to get into.
I'm sorry. This statement is simply wrong. I got into MIT with less-than-perfect scores. I can't speak for Cornell, but I know that MIT is looking for well-rounded students who will contribute more than perfect scores to the environment. They reject about 100 students each year with 1600(2400) SAT scores. Yeah, they may not look at someone who has an 1100, but you cant just be ANOTHER great student who wants the reputation an MIT or Cornell has to offer.
The other good thing about MIT during my time there is that it is a very small department. Of course, this can be a bad thing too. It is helpful when trying to get in though - I made it clear in my interview that I wanted MET and I still believe to this day that is the reason I got into the school. My SAT was only 1470, sub-average for MIT. So yes, you need to be a good student, but saying you have no chance without the above criteria is wrong.
jdsnow85
Posted 15 July 2008 - 11:01 AM
turtlehurricane, on Jul 11 2008, 11:12 PM, said:
I'm going to definitely major in a form of atmospheric science, just more physics/math oriented than regular met school. And thanks for the info... I have a 3.8 and 1470 SAT when you convert the ACT, so I think I got a shot.
I'm gonna be visiting within a few months, probably will do an interview or something of the sort. Will be doing the same for MIT. If I get into either MIT or Cornell I'll be very happy.
I'm gonna be visiting within a few months, probably will do an interview or something of the sort. Will be doing the same for MIT. If I get into either MIT or Cornell I'll be very happy.
If you haven't done it yet - the interview is weighed VERY HEAVILY at MIT. Make sure to nail it
Good luck!
The Iceman
Posted 15 July 2008 - 11:55 AM
tyler, on Jul 15 2008, 11:37 AM, said:
I am going to be a sophmore in HS this fall and this is the time to start getting ideas on colleges. I have great grades (slightly over 4.0 GPA) and play club soccer for one of the top teams in the state of NJ as well as for my HS (although we are pretty pathetic only going 4-16 last year.) My parents make great money, but they really want me to get a scholarship (like every parent would.) My dad would like me to stay near home so colleges like Rutgers, Penn State, Millersville, & Delaware are probably my best choices. I wouldn't mind broadcasting, but working for the NWS has become more of a passion. As some have said earlier, "It's not what school you go to, but what you make of it," is a great quote. When can someone of my age, turning 16 in 7 months, start interning? I know there is a number of people on here who work at the NWS and any insight would be helpful. Thanks in advance.
Hey Tyler,
If you want to intern, you are definatly going to be unpaid. I started this summer at NJ DEP as an unpaid intern and the expierence is definatly worth it. I'm not even half way through and have learned a ton. I would suggest next summer look into to places to intern and just don't ask to be paid. I'm sure people would be willing to take someone for free. Also this expierence looks real good on a college app which I plan on doing in the fall. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.
-Justin
wxwatcher91
Posted 15 July 2008 - 01:38 PM
turtlehurricane, on Jul 11 2008, 11:12 PM, said:
I'm going to definitely major in a form of atmospheric science, just more physics/math oriented than regular met school. And thanks for the info... I have a 3.8 and 1470 SAT when you convert the ACT, so I think I got a shot.
I'm gonna be visiting within a few months, probably will do an interview or something of the sort. Will be doing the same for MIT. If I get into either MIT or Cornell I'll be very happy.
I'm gonna be visiting within a few months, probably will do an interview or something of the sort. Will be doing the same for MIT. If I get into either MIT or Cornell I'll be very happy.
Good luck! Let me know how the interviews go. Im planning on applying to MIT and Cornell as well, along with Penn State and Plymouth State. Regardless of where I get in, Im probably going with Plymouth because of finances, proximity to home, and also I prefer the smaller size. Ive only taken the SAT once so far, and scored a 2000: 570 writing, 630 reading, 800 math. Luckily not too many colleges are taking writing too seriously, but I do have to bring my reading up a lot to be considered at MIT.
jdsnow85
Posted 15 July 2008 - 01:41 PM
wxwatcher91, on Jul 15 2008, 02:38 PM, said:
Good luck! Let me know how the interviews go. Im planning on applying to MIT and Cornell as well, along with Penn State and Plymouth State. Regardless of where I get in, Im probably going with Plymouth because of finances, proximity to home, and also I prefer the smaller size. Ive only taken the SAT once so far, and scored a 2000: 570 writing, 630 reading, 800 math. Luckily not too many colleges are taking writing too seriously, but I do have to bring my reading up a lot to be considered at MIT.
Why do you say colleges aren't taking writing seriously? If I were you I would be more concerned with your writing than verbal score for MIT.
Also, you say you are definitely going to attend plymouth - did you consider Umass Lowell at all?
OceanStWx
Posted 15 July 2008 - 03:39 PM
Well I have nothing but good things to say about my Cornell experience, and I also wasn't one of those other-worldly students, just a plain, old, well-rounded one. So if anyone has questions about that please feel free to contact me.
As for the other schools mentioned here, I have to echo what others have said - visit the school/program. The fact is that you will most likely enjoy your Met program if you also enjoy your campus. And whether your school focuses on severe wx, tropical, or an eventual grad career if you find that you have other interests, dive into them. Ask for a research project, find ways to test your forecast skills in competitions (locally and nationally), or inquire about independent studies.
I, for one, had no clue what I wanted to do after graduation, but I knew Cornell would offer a well-rounded education whatever the future held for me. I learned pretty quickly how much I loved forecasting, and I took every forecasting opportunity I could. While it may not have been our department's forte, we did offer forecasts to the community and a number of contests, and that's where I developed my skills. I eventually did continue on to grad school, but that was more so because I struck out in the job market (read: NWS) and thought increasing my background with an M.S. might help. And it turns out it did.
So the best advice I can give is to make sure you are happy with your choice. If you are happy with your choice, that will make it easier for you to figure out exactly what in this field you want to be doing. Then it's up to you to build a resume geared towards that particular area, no matter what the school you choose.
As for the other schools mentioned here, I have to echo what others have said - visit the school/program. The fact is that you will most likely enjoy your Met program if you also enjoy your campus. And whether your school focuses on severe wx, tropical, or an eventual grad career if you find that you have other interests, dive into them. Ask for a research project, find ways to test your forecast skills in competitions (locally and nationally), or inquire about independent studies.
I, for one, had no clue what I wanted to do after graduation, but I knew Cornell would offer a well-rounded education whatever the future held for me. I learned pretty quickly how much I loved forecasting, and I took every forecasting opportunity I could. While it may not have been our department's forte, we did offer forecasts to the community and a number of contests, and that's where I developed my skills. I eventually did continue on to grad school, but that was more so because I struck out in the job market (read: NWS) and thought increasing my background with an M.S. might help. And it turns out it did.
So the best advice I can give is to make sure you are happy with your choice. If you are happy with your choice, that will make it easier for you to figure out exactly what in this field you want to be doing. Then it's up to you to build a resume geared towards that particular area, no matter what the school you choose.
wxwatcher91
Posted 15 July 2008 - 04:26 PM
jdsnow85, on Jul 15 2008, 02:41 PM, said:
Why do you say colleges aren't taking writing seriously? If I were you I would be more concerned with your writing than verbal score for MIT.
Also, you say you are definitely going to attend plymouth - did you consider Umass Lowell at all?
Also, you say you are definitely going to attend plymouth - did you consider Umass Lowell at all?
You took some of my words to an absolute there lol. I said colleges aren't taking writing too seriously. As I have heard, colleges arent weighing in the writing score as much as the other sections because of some skepticism regarding the grading methology. It is obviously still considered, and I definitely want to bring up my lackluster score, but my focus will be on reading.
As for Plymouth, Im leaning towards it - nothing is set in stone. I havent looked much as Umass Lowell yet, but now that you mention it, I will take a closer look
.
skierinvermont
Posted 15 July 2008 - 09:05 PM
snowmizer, on Jan 23 2006, 02:29 AM, said:
Rutgers Met program was real good for me...just don't take any calc courses there...you'll be lucky to understand the "English" of the instructors, let alone the challenge of the subject itself!
hey i just noticed your sig.. GREAT STORM.. got to love sub 970 storms. I believe this storm was forgotten to quickly on this board.. end of year losing interest and all. If I rem correctly it was 968mb on NYC. Incredible winds in my area.. blew down some barns in the town south of me in VT. 4" of snow at 300' elevation by 4am. Changed to rain and melted as soon as the sun came up (by 8am). I should know.. stayed up most of the night except for a nap. Over 12" in the mountains I think.. April 16 or 18 I think it was.
Nikolai
Posted 15 July 2008 - 09:20 PM
jdsnow85, on Jul 15 2008, 12:00 PM, said:
I'm sorry. This statement is simply wrong. I got into MIT with less-than-perfect scores. I can't speak for Cornell, but I know that MIT is looking for well-rounded students who will contribute more than perfect scores to the environment. They reject about 100 students each year with 1600(2400) SAT scores. Yeah, they may not look at someone who has an 1100, but you cant just be ANOTHER great student who wants the reputation an MIT or Cornell has to offer.
The other good thing about MIT during my time there is that it is a very small department. Of course, this can be a bad thing too. It is helpful when trying to get in though - I made it clear in my interview that I wanted MET and I still believe to this day that is the reason I got into the school. My SAT was only 1470, sub-average for MIT. So yes, you need to be a good student, but saying you have no chance without the above criteria is wrong.
The other good thing about MIT during my time there is that it is a very small department. Of course, this can be a bad thing too. It is helpful when trying to get in though - I made it clear in my interview that I wanted MET and I still believe to this day that is the reason I got into the school. My SAT was only 1470, sub-average for MIT. So yes, you need to be a good student, but saying you have no chance without the above criteria is wrong.
What year did you enter?
My perception might be somewhat skewed as well, since Fairfax County is one of the most (if not the most) competitive counties in the country for getting into college.
skierinvermont
Posted 15 July 2008 - 10:50 PM
jdsnow85, on Jul 15 2008, 12:00 PM, said:
I'm sorry. This statement is simply wrong. I got into MIT with less-than-perfect scores. I can't speak for Cornell, but I know that MIT is looking for well-rounded students who will contribute more than perfect scores to the environment. They reject about 100 students each year with 1600(2400) SAT scores. Yeah, they may not look at someone who has an 1100, but you cant just be ANOTHER great student who wants the reputation an MIT or Cornell has to offer.
The other good thing about MIT during my time there is that it is a very small department. Of course, this can be a bad thing too. It is helpful when trying to get in though - I made it clear in my interview that I wanted MET and I still believe to this day that is the reason I got into the school. My SAT was only 1470, sub-average for MIT. So yes, you need to be a good student, but saying you have no chance without the above criteria is wrong.
The other good thing about MIT during my time there is that it is a very small department. Of course, this can be a bad thing too. It is helpful when trying to get in though - I made it clear in my interview that I wanted MET and I still believe to this day that is the reason I got into the school. My SAT was only 1470, sub-average for MIT. So yes, you need to be a good student, but saying you have no chance without the above criteria is wrong.
Keep in mind almost all colleges have gotten much harder to get into since you applied. Over the past three years the acceptance rate at the college I attend has been almost cut in half as the applicant pool has grown and strengthened. This trend has been true, although not quite so dramatic at most competitive colleges in the country. Over 2/3s (maybe 3/4s) of accepted students at MIT have over a 2300. So it might be an exaggeration to say NO students, but it's not far off the mark. As for the 3.9 unweighted.. I'd say that's pretty accurate unless you've got something else going for you. If you were accepted more than 4 years ago, there is a very good chance you would not be accepted if you applied with the same application today (not to mention the fact that 9 other people could have applied with the same application you did in the same year you did and been rejected while you were accepted - there is a certain element of luck involved considering the tremendous quality of applicants to chose from).
jdsnow85
Posted 16 July 2008 - 10:26 AM
skierinvermont, on Jul 15 2008, 11:50 PM, said:
Keep in mind almost all colleges have gotten much harder to get into since you applied. Over the past three years the acceptance rate at the college I attend has been almost cut in half as the applicant pool has grown and strengthened. This trend has been true, although not quite so dramatic at most competitive colleges in the country. Over 2/3s (maybe 3/4s) of accepted students at MIT have over a 2300. So it might be an exaggeration to say NO students, but it's not far off the mark. As for the 3.9 unweighted.. I'd say that's pretty accurate unless you've got something else going for you. If you were accepted more than 4 years ago, there is a very good chance you would not be accepted if you applied with the same application today (not to mention the fact that 9 other people could have applied with the same application you did in the same year you did and been rejected while you were accepted - there is a certain element of luck involved considering the tremendous quality of applicants to chose from).
Well thanks for the vote of confidence in me
I got in in 2003, acceptance rate then was, I believe, 14.1%. You are right, this past year it was 12.9%. This is overall acceptance. It is less for EA (I Was EA) and slightly higher for RA but you get the idea. I agree with much of what you said, and, as I wrote above, I believe I was not really qualified for MIT - I just wanted MET which is a small department here, and I had a good interview. I was simply saying that MIT gets probably 8000 identical applications (4.0GPA, 1600SAT, piano, soccer, student government). They do not want all of the same student...
neg-nao
Posted 23 May 2009 - 10:54 PM
Since making this post a while back has anything change are there better schools to goto now?
ma blizzard
Posted 26 November 2009 - 04:43 PM
I am strongly considering attending Umass lowell for met next fall ..
Any additional experiences, info, comments etc, on the met program there (or the school) ?
Any additional experiences, info, comments etc, on the met program there (or the school) ?
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