Choosing California schools for Marine Biology- any recommendations?

Hey there! I'm a rising Junior and I'm starting to seriously look into colleges. I know I want to major in marine biology and I'd like to stay in California. Can anyone suggest the best colleges to consider for marine biology in California?

Absolutely! You're lucky to be in California since there are several top-notch Marine Biology programs available.

Starting off with the University of California system, UC Santa Cruz has a well-regarded Marine Biology program with strong connections to the Long Marine Lab and the UC Natural Reserve system. UC Santa Barbara's Marine Science program is also fantastic, especially if you're interested in an interdisciplinary approach. UCSB's location for fieldwork on the Pacific Ocean can't be beaten.

Within the California State University system, CSU Long Beach offers an exceptional program called the Shark Lab, which is globally known for its research. CSU Monterey Bay's location next to Monterey Bay -- a renowned hub for marine research, makes it an excellent choice as well.

Lastly, let's not forget about private universities. Stanford University, despite being somewhat far from the coast, has the Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, where students can study in a real-world marine environment. Additionally, the University of Southern California (USC) offers a Marine and Environmental Biology major with access to the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies on Catalina Island.

Each program offers unique opportunities, so I'd recommend looking into what aspects and focus of marine biology you're interested in, and if you can, visiting the campuses to get a feel for them personally. Taking a look at the specific coursework, research opportunities, and considering faculty within each program will be beneficial too. Best of luck with your research and applications!