The advice that I have for future students considering being a part of the College of Environment community, I would tell them to browse the website and just examine the plethora of resources. I remember thinking about my future at UW and tripping across the College of Environment’s website and seeing the oceanography boats, the fish collection in the fisheries building, and the campus farms. I knew that UW had created a community and had resources for their students to use to benefit their experiences. Since then, I can speak firsthand that taking advantage of the resources at UW will amplify your experiences!!

I am a second year student at the University of Washington pursuing a dual degree in Environmental Studies and Visual Communications Design. I love the Environmental Studies degree because it is interdisciplinary, and not only allows me to learn about a wide array of topics from biology to politics, but also allows me to draw connections between them. Through this degree I have seen how not only is the problem interdisciplinary, but so are the solutions. We need a broad range of people, ideas, and implementation tools to work together to address climate change. I am also passionate about design and media, so please let me know if you have any questions about those as well!

Majoring in Environmental Science has allowed me to study what I am passionate about and has opened my eyes to the meaningful contributions that can be made within this field. There are so many opportunities for new experiences, one of these I have really enjoyed is Spring quarter at Friday Harbor Labs. Participating in the ZooBot program has taught me a lot about field research and prospective paths in this area. The College of the Environment is such a welcoming and embracing community that I’m so glad to be a part of. There are so many resources and opportunities to get involved with to learn what you can do with your passions. My advice to prospective students is to take advantage of the variety of courses offered at UW and take what catches your eye. Every course I have taken in the College of the Environment has been a positive experience and expanded knowledge on the environment to include different disciplines. As an out of state student I have really enjoyed exploring Seattle and Washington and finding things to do outdoors. Feel free to reach out to me about my experience in the college of the environment or to chat about fun things to do!

I’ve always been an indecisive person when it comes to making choices that will stick with me for my entire life, and declaring a major was no exception to this rule. During the college application process, I did some research and landed on Environmental Studies as a prospective major. It was no surprise to me that I came into the University of Washington without any knowledge of whether or not I was going to stick to this initial choice of major. I was pleasantly surprised that upon arriving, I did not have any qualms about the selection that I made. This is massively owed to the interdisciplinary nature of the Environmental Studies major. Being able to explore multiple dimensions of environmentalism simultaneously has quelled the restlessness I felt when making that life altering decision. All in all, the College of the Environment has provided a space for me to explore a wide range of subjects within my interests without the fear of picking “wrongly” looming over me.

If you have a passion for the environment and tackling environmental issues, you’re basically 75% there. The resources and experiences you’ll have here at UW will fill in the rest and equip you with all you need to create real change in the world, whatever that looks like to you. I’m not saying that just because you have passion things will be a walk in the park. I’m saying that when the career you pursue does get especially difficult, the only thing that will always get you through is love for what you do and the reasons why you do it. 

Something you should know about me is that as an incoming freshman, I had no intention of graduating from the College of the Environment. I came in as an Engineering Undeclared student with a love for the environment just trying to find a degree to make money and my family proud. I hadn’t known Bioresource Science and Engineering existed but when I discovered it I knew it was the perfect fit. It perfectly married my passions and interests with my skills and strengths. It also happened to be the only engineering major in the College of the Environment 😛

Coming to UW as an out of state student I didn’t know what to expect. I was still a bit unsure about my capabilities and being in a completely new environment where I didn’t know anyone certainly didn’t help. However, by taking advantage of everything UW has to offer, I feel like I’ve been able to turn some of my weaknesses into strengths. Being a part of the College of the Environment has given me the opportunity to work on research, serve in student leadership roles, and pursue internships at government science agencies like NOAA. I’ve also been able to meet tons of people who share common interests with me especially within the Department of Atmospheric Sciences. My advice to any undergraduates is to try to get involved as much as you can. There will be tons of opportunities and ways to get support during your time at UW, so take advantage of them! I’m happy to talk more so feel free to reach out!

One piece of advice I have for students who are interested in the College of the Environment is to explore all the different classes that are offered. I randomly signed up for a forestry class and now I take a forestry class every quarter! I also have taken so many classes that have taught me about subjects I knew nothing about, and they have given me a more well-rounded understanding of the environment. Trying out different subjects is the best way to find something you are passionate about! Another piece of advice I would give prospective students is to talk to your professors. Many professors are involved in research, and you can learn some very interesting things from them about their studies. They also might offer you a research position! Having a relationship with your professors can help you gain a better understanding of the class, and they can also connect you with cool opportunities within the College of the Environment.

My experience in the UW College of the Environment has shaped me to become knowledgeable in so many different fields of Environmental Science. The College of the Environment is very interdisciplinary and provides so many opportunities for students to pick and choose what kind of classes and experiences they want within the college! I am a transfer student who is also part of UW athletics, and in the one year that I have been a part of the college, I have a much clearer path toward my career and hope to gain experience through the multitude of opportunities provided for us all!

My involvement with the UW College of Environment has allowed me to learn about and try new things that I did not know about or didn’t think I would be interested in. Even though I have wanted to study meteorology for a long time, I didn’t think that forecasting in front of the green screen was for me. I then joined the UW Dawgcast (the student forecasting club) and learned to love filming forecast videos. Through my involvement in other College of Environment RSOs such as the American Meteorological Society, I learned about the different career paths I had after graduation. My peers in the club also helped me land a summer internship by recommending programs that they had done and advising me on my application. My advice for prospective students is to find your niche, or if you don’t have one yet, try a few out and see what you enjoy. Also, say yes to things, even if you have reservations. You’ll never know where it will lead you!

I came to UW with an interest in the environment but uncertain of my major. During my freshman year I met with advisers in the college of the environment who helped me better understand the pros and cons of different areas of focus. Majoring in environmental studies is allowing me to explore both humanities and scientific perspectives through an interdisciplinary approach. Students in my classes always bring up new interesting topics to discuss. I have had many cool experiences within my classes such as working with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) and doing vegetation surveys. My advice to incoming freshmen is to get involved in student clubs on campus. There are so many clubs ranging from hiking with professors to advocating for environmental solutions to volunteering in restoration work. Enjoy your time at UW, you can always learn from your professors, TAs, and the students around you.

My advice for prospective students is that you do not need to decide on a major right away! If you know you want to study the environment, but you do not know what major is the right fit for you, a great place to start is to take ENVIR 100 your first year. This class can help you learn about different areas of interest within the environmental field. I also recommend taking classes in a few different environment-related disciplines and seeing what fascinates you the most. Another piece of advice is to get involved outside of the classroom as soon as you can! You do not need to wait until later in your college career to get involved in the community. You can volunteer at the biology greenhouse or on the UW Farm. I also recommend participating in clubs and other on-campus initiatives that promote environmental stewardship like SEED and Beautify UW. Do not worry too much about deciding on a major right away, take your time to explore your options and decide what feels right for you.

Coming to UW, I was enrolled as a Pre-Science Bioresource Science and Engineering Student and I understood around half of what I was signing up for. I knew what I wanted to study, and what work I wanted to do, but it was difficult adjusting to a new school system far from home. I didn’t want to risk making a mistake just for not asking someone who knew the answer, so I contacted my advisor. I had various different concerns and questions, but she answered every one the best she could. She connected me to the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences (SEFS) departmental mailing list to keep me updated with opportunities and assistance, and beyond that, she sat down to go over what she knew personally about class styles and topics to try and balance my quarter’s difficulty until junior year. It not only made class registration super easy, I think the biggest takeaway that I had was how she thought of her personal references for whatever I was talking to her about. My biggest piece of advice is to pay attention to things people might be interested in or need help with, because making that community of support helps everyone involved including you.

Moving to Seattle and being a student at UW can definitely be overwhelming, but the College of the Environment is a community that has always felt welcoming. From meeting like-minded peers to chatting with professors, I’ve made so many connections at UW that have made my experience extremely rewarding.

My advice for any prospective students is to not be afraid to reach out and ask for opportunities to get involved! I’ve learned of clubs/groups on campus through fellow students who have now become some of my good friends. I’m currently an active member of the UW Dawgcast, a forecasting club on campus, and it has led me to some of my favorite experiences. With the club, I’ve been able to meet many amazing meteorologists/climatologists and even get the chance to present at the Mariners Weather Education Day. When you’re presented with an opportunity, try it out!

Outside of the College, I’ve had experience with being in Greek life as well as balancing schoolwork with an on-campus job. If you have questions about any of these things or more, please feel free to reach out! I’m happy to help!

Coming to UW as a 27-year-old transfer student, I thought I would feel out of place. I could not have been more wrong! During my first week, I met other non-traditional students like myself in the College of the Environment’s GEODUC Scholars program for transfer students. Since then, I have taken classes, spent hours in Odegaard, and even visited Friday Harbor Labs with those students. There is a community for every type of person, just like there is a major, a mentor, and a lab for every type of person at the College of the Environment. During my time at UW, I have connected with professors that are leading their field, gotten involved in research, excelled in my ochem classes (ask me how!!), and bloomed into my choice to declare Marine Biology as my second major because of the amazing the support and guidance I have found at the College of the Environment. Ask me about undergraduate research, commuting to and from UW, GEODUC, how to connect with that really cool professor you are nervous to talk to, my favorite classes (umm… Arctic Marine Vertebrate Ecology!!), and (seriously!) how to pass ochem with flying colors!

Hey everyone, I’m Samantha! I’m an undergraduate student double-majoring in Marine Biology and Biology (Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Track). I’m excited to meet you all! The UW College of the Environment has provided me and other students with a platform to personalize our learning, meet passionate faculty, and engage with the larger university and Seattle community through meaningful research and leadership development programs. The staff and advisors here are incredibly supportive and genuinely care that you are studying and pursuing your passions! In addition to exploring my interests in Marine Biology through classes, I’ve enjoyed improving my science communication skills by working on projects alongside faculty throughout my time here. The student community within the College of the Environment is close-knit and connected, making this large university feel a little bit smaller. As you navigate your college journey, stay true to your passions and outside interests. Find ways to integrate everything you love into your studies or projects, and I promise you’ll have an amazing time!

The college of the environment has opened up my eyes to so many different opportunities and paths that I can take. Coming into the college, all I knew was that I wanted to do marine biology. But now going into my 3rd year and being engulfed in the College of the Environment, I know the exact path I want to take and how to pursue it. My advice for you all would be to do what makes you happy. There are so many possibilities at this school! So try and dabble in everything that peaks your interest. I would like prospective students to know that they can approach me at any time! I love meeting knew people and making friends, so don’t be shy if you have any questions or just want to talk (also if you love drawing or old movies, then we have something in common!).

Although the size of UW can seem intimidating at first, the College of the Environment has made Seattle my home away from home. Through various lab research at the Friday Harbor Laboratories and internships with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, I was immediately immersed in a community where I could grow, not only as a student, but also as an individual. My advice to prospective students is therefore to get involved as soon as you can and don’t be afraid to ask for help! There is so much to learn, and many talented people to meet. Connections with professors have led to doors of opportunity that I wouldn’t have known existed otherwise, so make sure to have fun venturing through the diverse sets of classes this school has to offer.

With so much to explore, I can understand it seems a bit overwhelming, so please feel free to reach out if you have any questions! I would be more than happy to give advice on any UW or College of the Environment related things. Also, with growing up abroad and hiking my way throughout the world, I’m more than happy to chat about the great outdoors as well!

One thing that I would tell prospective students is that the College of the Environment, even more so than some other departments at the UW, is a very supportive place. The fact that almost all of our majors are open means that College of the Environment students work to support one another and don’t feel that another student’s success will be to their detriment. I also would like to say that I feel like the College of the Environment does a great job fostering connections between students and faculty. Specifically in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, I feel as though I have at least some familiarity with most if not all of the faculty members, even ones whose classes I haven’t taken. In addition, all of the professors feel very approachable; I feel like I could have a conversation with any professor in the college without feeling awkward or like I’m wasting their time. I also would like to highlight the college’s academic advisors. My advisor for Aquatic and Fishery Sciences has been by far the most helpful academic advisor I have ever had in my entire academic career.