Marine Biology Colleges

Marine Biology Colleges: An Overview

Students who like to examine beings that live in marine bodies of water might wish to search marine biology colleges. Such colleges are situated close to big bodies of water so that students can utilize the water as their science laboratory to get working experience in the field.

Marine biology degrees can be acquired on all levels : bachelors, masters, and Ph.D. Students who would like to do autonomous research soon there after receiving their bachelors degree from one of the marine biology colleges, must proceed their studies until they obtain their Ph.D. If you are a student who is not interested in getting your Ph.D., then you must take some period to ascertain if this field is truly for you.

If the college is certainly one of the marine biology colleges, then it will most likely offer a degree specifically in marine biology. Even so, some marine biology colleges permit students to gain a degree in biology then let students to get credentials specifically in marine biology.

Here is a list of Marine Biology Colleges:

1. Florida International University - 38,759 Students (4-year, Public)

2. Florida State University - 38,682 Students (4-year, Public)

3. University of California-Los Angeles - 38,220 Students (4-year, Public)

4. California State University-Long Beach - 37,891 Students (4-year, Public)

5. Rutgers University-New Brunswick - 36,041 Students (4-year, Public)

6. University of Georgia - 34,180 Students (4-year, Public)

7. University of Southern California - 33,747 Students (4-year, Private not-for-profit)

8. San Jose State University - 32,746 Students (4-year, Public)

9. Boston University - 31,766 Students (4-year, Private, not-for-profit)

10. San Francisco State University - 30,014 Students (4-year, Public)

11. Nova Southeastern University - 28,378 Students (4-year, Private not-for-profit)

12. Troy University - 28,303 Students (4-year, Public)

13. University of California-San Diego - 27,520 Students (4-year, Public)

14. University of South Carolina-Columbia - 27,488 Students (4-year, Public)

15. The University of Alabama -27,014 Students (4-year, Public)

16. Northeastern University - 25,837 Students (4-year, Private not-for-profit)

17. Auburn University Main Campus - 24,530 Students (4-year, Public)

18. University of Connecticut - 24,273 Students (4-year, Public)

19. Stony Brook University - 23,991 Students (4-year, Public)

20. University of California-Santa Barbara - 21,868 Students (4-year, Public)

How To Calculate GPA

Everyone wants to know, "what's your GPA?"  Why?  Because your GPA or Grade Point Average is a key indicator of how well you're doing in school.  But, how to calculate GPA?  This leaves a lot of students confused and frustrated.  Does this sound like you?

Not to worry...calculating your GPA can be fun and easy.  In this post, I'll show you a simple and convenient way of keeping track of your GPA.

Step 1 - Where's your grades?

The first step in learning how to calculate GPA is getting your grades.  Got them in front of you? Great!  We'll use these grades below as an example and you can follow along by replacing them with your real grades.

Math A
Science B
History C
Art A
Speech B

Step 2 - What are they worth?

Each letter grade is worth a certain number of points.  Here's the scale that you can use to determine what each letter grade is worth:

A=4
B=3
C=2
D=1
F=0

So, by using the grades above, here is what each of our classes is worth -

Math=4
Science=3
History=2
Art=4
Speech=3

Step 3 - Add them up.

Now, all we have to do is add up how many points we've earned:

4+3+2+4+3 = 16

Looks like we've earned 16 points!

Step 4 - Divide by the number of classes you're taking.

Based on this example, we're taking 5 classes (math, science, history, art, and speech)

So, we need to take 16 (from step #3) divided by 5

16/5 = 3.2

Your current GPA is 3.2.  This is how to calculate GPA!  Simple, right?

SAT Scores for Colleges

Every year, students prepare to take the SAT, also known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test.  In order to adequately prepare for this test, students study tirelessly for months.  This test plays an important role in the college admissions process.  In fact, it is (in most cases) required to get accepted into college.  The SAT scores students in the following 3 areas: math, reading, and writing.

Your performance on this exam is important.  The admissions committee will use this as a basis for determining if you can handle college level courses.  The admissions committee will also look at your GPA, level of class difficulty, and extracurricular activities.  So, if you don’t score well on the SAT exam, but do well in other areas, you still have a shot at your dream school.

Some schools are more competitive than others, and therefore have higher average SAT scores.  For your convenience, I’ve outlined the average SAT scores for colleges and universities that public and private.  These are highly competitive schools and are only listed to help you get a feel for the average SAT scores at colleges and universities of this caliber. 

Top Private Colleges

1.     Amherst (Amherst, Massachusetts)

Reading: 670-770

Math: 660-760

Writing: 670-760

2.     Carleton (Northfield, Minnesota)

Reading: 650-750

Math: 660-740

Writing: 650-730

3.     Grinnell (Grinnell, Iowa)

Reading: 630-740

Math: 620-720

Writing: Not Available

4.     Haverford (Haverford, Pennsylvania)

Reading: 650-750

Math: 640-740

Writing: 650-750

5.     Middlebury (Middlebury, Vermont)

Reading: 630-740

Math: 640-740

Writing: 630-740

Top Public Colleges and Universities

1.     College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia)

Reading: 620-730

Math: 620-720

Writing: 610-710

2.     Georgia Tech (Atlanta, Georgia)

Reading: 600-690

Math: 650-730

Writing: 590-680

3.     UCLA (Los Angeles, California)

Reading: 560-680

Math: 590-720

Writing: 580-700

4.     University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Reading: 590-690

Math: 640-740

Writing: Not Available

5.     UNC (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)

Reading: 590-690

Math: 620-700

Writing: 590-690

I hope this helps as you prepare to tackle the SAT exam.  For additional average SAT scores for colleges, CLICK HERE.

SAT Test Registraion

With a little direction, the SAT test registration process is pretty easy: it’s pretty easy to register for the SAT exam. 

Step 1: Log-on to the College Board website and create an account.  In order to do this, you’ll need to create a user name and password.

Step 2: Visit sat.collegeboard.com/register and click the “Register Now” button.  From there you should be able to select which dates you want to register for.

Step 3: Register – Here are the SAT test registration dates for 2011 –

January 22, 2011

·        Test Offered – SAT & SAT Subject Tests

·        Regular Registration Closes – December 23, 2010

·        Late Registration Closes – January 7, 2011

·        Scores Available via Internet – February 11, 2011

March 12, 2011

·        Test Offered – SAT Subject Tests ONLY

·        Regular Registration Closes – February 11, 2011

·        Late Registration Closes – February 25, 2011

·        Scores Available via Internet – April 1, 2011

May 7, 2011

·        Test Offered – SAT & SAT Subject Tests

·        Regular Registration Closes – April 8, 2011

·        Late Registration Closes – April 22, 2011

·        Scores Available via Internet – May 27, 2011

June 4, 2011

·        Test Offered – SAT & SAT Subject Tests

·        Regular Registration Closes – May 6, 2011

·        Late Registration Closes – May 20, 2011

·        Scores Available via Internet – June 24, 2011

Step 4: Make a list of the things that you should take with you.  They are as follows –

ü  SAT Admissions Ticket

ü  Two #2 Pencils

ü  Photo ID

ü  Calculator

ü  Watch (to keep track of time)

ü  Drink/Snack (for break time)

Step 5: Relax…knowing that your SAT test registration went smoothly.

Average SAT Score

Is preparing for the SAT exam driving you crazy!?!  Are you constantly wondering…what average SAT score do I need to get into college???

I can certainly understand your frustration.  We’re going to keep this post short and sweet, but useful.  Below you’ll find a list of the average SAT scores for some of the nation’s top colleges and universities:

DISCLAIMER: Each section of the exam (Reading, Math, and Writing), is scored on a 200 to 800 point scale. Therefore, the highest possible score is 2400.

1.   Duke

Reading (660-750)

Math (680-790)

Writing (680-780)

2.   Northwestern

Reading (670-750)

Math (680-770)

Writing (660-750)

3.   Notre Dame

Reading (650-740)

Math (670-760)

Writing (640-730)

4.   Stanford

Reading (650-750)

Math (680-780)

Writing (670-760)

5.   Vanderbilt

Reading (650-740)

Math (680-760)

Writing (650-730)

For more information on what average SAT score you need to get into college, CLICK HERE.

Good luck!

Common College Application

In the midst of a very hectic senior year, completing college application can be a real pain in the butt!  That’s why you should consider the Common College Application.

What’s the Common College Application, you ask?  Great Question…

The Common College Application is a general application that can be used to apply to over 400 college and universities.  Sound pretty neat, right?  This general application was created by a not-for-profit organization and is used by over 2 million applicants each year.  And, the best part is that the service itself is absolutely FREE! 

The Common College Application also makes it easy and less stressful for you to gather all the additional documents that you’ll need to submit with your application.  Most college and universities require you to send in letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a variety of other information that you’ll need to get from either your teachers or guidance counselors. 

The Common College Application website allows teachers to log-on to their website and complete all the forms right there on the screen. Or, if they prefer to print out the documents, they can do that too!  Sounds simple, right?
If you’re interested in learning more about the Common College Application, CLICK HERE!

Good luck J

Average ACT Score

What is the Average ACT Score?
Since the ACT exam is such an important component of the college admissions process, a lot of students are curious about the average ACT score.


The nationwide average ACT score in 2010 is 21.  It can be broken down by category as follows:

English: 20.5

Math: 21

Reading: 21.3

Science: 20.9

Approximately 30 percent of students who take the ACT exam score between 19 and 23.

Approximately 55 percent of students who take the ACT exam score between 17 and 25.

Average ACT scores by state vary.  Below is a list of states that have the highest average ACT scores:

Delaware – 23.0

Maine – 23.2

Massachusetts – 24 

New York – 23.3

New Hampshire – 23.7

Washington – 23

What is a good ACT score? 

The minimum ACT score required for admittance differs by school.  Most schools will make their average ACT scores accessible to students via their website.  So, if you’re interested in a particular school, your first stop should be on their particular website.  If you’re having difficulty locating this information, I’d call the school’s admissions officer or talk with your school counselor.

If you score between 34 and 36, you are among the top 1% of students who take the exam.  Most Ivy League schools require ACT scores in the 90^th percentile, which is generally a score of 28.  Most public universities require at least an 18.

When Should I Take the ACT?

Most high school students take the exam during the spring of their junior year.  By this time, you will have most likely completed all the necessary coursework in your classes to do well on the exam.  Also, this will give you the opportunity to re-take the exam if you didn’t get the score that you wanted the first time around.