Good meteorology school mostly hurricanes.

[milankovitch]

Since everyone is doing there own little schpeel, here's mine for Valparaiso University in Indiana. I'm currently a junior met major and physics almost major (stupid every other year classes). Valpo's got a fairly large department now, I think we're up to about 100 students in the department and growing fast. It's a small school (what sold me) and our department has it's own building. It is currently only an undergraduate degree. However, an undergraduate school has it's advantages too. You'll get more attention from the faculty. I think it was already mentioned but I'll say it again, don't worry about specializing at the undergraduate level you won't do that 'till graduate school. Odds are you'll change your focus or even major heck I went from arctic paleoclimate to tropical climate how's that for a 180.

This school best 'trait' is severe weather/forecasting; we have storm chases in the summer (see avatar taken in Montana ) and will have a radar next year. I'd go for a school and department that you like not a focus that you share with the school. You can always do an REU (research internship) somewhere else along the lines of your focus. I'll be doing monsoon work at UC Irvine this summer.

As for other schools I'd say the top met programs in the nation are, in no particular order: University of Washington, University of Wisc. Madison, University of Albany, Penn State, University of Maryland, Colorado State, Florida State, University of Oklahoma, and MIT. However, don't sweat if you don't get into one of these schools for your undergraduate; there are plenty of other good schools. It's not like if you don't go to one of these top programs you're sunk. There are Valpo students going to top grad. programs, getting REU's, working for SPC, ect. Besides most people go somewhere else for graduate school anyway.

Get good grades, ESPECIALLY math and science and good luck! You'll be taking plenty of math for your met major (essentially at least a math minor)

[terstorm1012]

Hats up to Valpo...I was impressed with their program myself when I was doing the college search thing.

[Aquawind]

You'll be taking plenty of math for your met major (essentially at least a math minor)

[JonathanBelles]

im a sophmore in HS and have 2 time the science needed an i am in analytical geometry...so i think ive got my bases covered

[WindRunner]

The Penn State program is a great program though, CVW. I'm a junior in high school right now, looking into the field from my little house in northern Virginia (so I'm staying on the East Coast), and so far I've seen PSU and FSU both have excellent programs. Both the University of North Carolina - Charlotte and NC State seem to have pretty good programs as well, enough to make UNC-Charlotte my third choice (in terms of met departments). Right now, anything I'm going to say is going to be PSU biased because FSU is out of my consideration as being too far away. But for those who are looking at the tropics, FSU has a better program IMHO. Haven't visited anywhere yet, so I can't tell you that FSU has a "dumpy-looking" campus, but been all through the websites.

And while specialization doesn't matter for undergrad, I've always thought that you'll be better off going to a school's undergrad program as well as their gradutate program. But that's just my opinion on that, take it for what you will.

[Scorpion]

im a sophmore in HS and have 2 time the science needed an i am in analytical geometry...so i think ive got my bases covered

You're going to have to work on your typing skills as well.

[meteorologyman]

I have to go to FSU because it is closer to me and it does seem like a very good college so I'm cool with that .

However I'm a Junior at HS right now have another year to wait, taking Chemistry honors rightnow and taking a lot of other honor classes as well.

In my senior year I'll be taking Chemistry Advanced Placement, Physics Advanced Placement, Math Analysis/Trigonmetry, Freshman Comp 1, Gov't/Economics and Geography, So I think I'll have the basics as well.
Advance Placement is college class, incase you did not know.

So wish me luck!

[cajungal]

I wanted to study meterology so bad after high school. But, it is a lot of money. And I knew that I struggled really bad with math. Math has always been my weakest subject by far. I know I would fall flat on my face with calculas and trig. I am looking into taking online courses for journalism. I would still love to report and write stories concerning weather issues especially hurricanes.

[Jim Cantore]

Im currently a soph in highschool with around a 3.5-3.8 gpa and was wondering what schools are the best for study around hurricanes and which are the best for tornadoes. I live in texas so state would be ok, but out of state is fine to.

I'm a soph in HS myself.

Penn State is one and I believe Florida state is as well.

[milankovitch]

The Penn State program is a great program though, CVW. I'm a junior in high school right now, looking into the field from my little house in northern Virginia (so I'm staying on the East Coast), and so far I've seen PSU and FSU both have excellent programs. Both the University of North Carolina - Charlotte and NC State seem to have pretty good programs as well, enough to make UNC-Charlotte my third choice (in terms of met departments). Right now, anything I'm going to say is going to be PSU biased because FSU is out of my consideration as being too far away. But for those who are looking at the tropics, FSU has a better program IMHO. Haven't visited anywhere yet, so I can't tell you that FSU has a "dumpy-looking" campus, but been all through the websites.

And while specialization doesn't matter for undergrad, I've always thought that you'll be better off going to a school's undergrad program as well as their gradutate program. But that's just my opinion on that, take it for what you will.

I strongly recommend checking out the University of Maryland if you're interested in staying close. They're one of my top choices for graduate school. University of North Carolina has a good program as well, I know a couple of people doing graduate work there.
http://www.atmos.umd.edu/

[DoctorHurricane2003]

meteorologyman:

A key thing about AP Physics: It won't count toward a meteorology degree unless you are doing AP Physics C (recommend that you choose Mechanics over E&M if available at your school) or if it is not, take PHY 2048 at a local community college through dual enrollment (you also need to be in MAC 2311 or AP Calculus when you take this course)

AP Physics B (FL college equivalent PHY 1053 and 1054) is an algebra-based physics and actually really pointless if you are/have already taken Physics I Honors. You really need the calculus-based physics as that is what's part of your meteorology degree.

[benny]

Im currently a soph in highschool with around a 3.5-3.8 gpa and was wondering what schools are the best for study around hurricanes and which are the best for tornadoes. I live in texas so state would be ok, but out of state is fine to.

I would go to the one that offered you the most money You will get a good eduction in most places if you apply yourself. Dedication and hard work is a lot more important to me than the curriculum. I went to a smaller school for undergrad so I think it is an advantage in knowing the professors personally ... however I can see the advantage of a larger school. I also would watch out for the lure of the larger big-name programs as they can tend to lose people in the shuffle.

[meteorologyman]

Dr. Hurricane

strange I know but they don't offer Physics 1 Honors, and crazy enough to say I have not taken Physics yet which they do offer regular, i thought of taking Robotics What do you think?

But that does mean no physics,and a lot of students say its better off taking physics at Highschools, when i selected Physic AP it says Physics B on the paper, and did not taken Calculus yet but will in College,
I already know my physics teacher he is awesome I have him for Chem 1 honors right now and he is the only one qualified to teach chem/phys (isn't that sad) what would HS do w/o him

[terstorm1012]

you're going to have to take a bit of it, the math and the physics, again in college. I'd take Robotics if I were you bud. It'd be interesting and fun.

[DoctorHurricane2003]

oh since you haven't had Physics I Honors, go ahead and take Physics B...just keep in mind that it will NOT count toward a meteorology degree.

[P.K.]

You'll be taking plenty of math for your met major (essentially at least a math minor)

I'm not entirely sure what these terms "minor" and major" mean in relation to a degree but I do sometimes feel I'm doing a maths degree.

[terstorm1012]

Major--this is your primary focus of your degree. Most of your coursework beyond general education requirements will be taken in this.
Minor--this is a grouping of classes in a department that interests you. in the case of meteorology majors who have to take so much math anyway, the amount of math classes usually translates into a minor. It's between 4-6 classes. It has to be declared with paperwork....I have 27 credits or so in Broadcasting but never declared it for example---so it's my unofficial minor....

[meteorologyman]

Thank you Dr. Hurricane 2003 I'll keep that in mind and thankyou terstorm

[terstorm1012]

you are very welcome. always glad to help future college kids.

[terstorm1012]

Im currently a soph in highschool with around a 3.5-3.8 gpa and was wondering what schools are the best for study around hurricanes and which are the best for tornadoes. I live in texas so state would be ok, but out of state is fine to.

I'm a soph in HS myself.

Penn State is one and I believe Florida state is as well.

Have you looked at Rutgers, hurricanefloyd? They have a program as well and it'd be instate for you.