What classes do I need to take to become a forensic scientist?

How to become a scientist?

• I really want to become a scientist when I get older as I absolutely love science. I'd also like to attend a very high-class school, mostly Princeton. What are some things that I can do now to prepare? What classes do I need to take? I'm already in advanced classes, have straight A's, play in band, play sports, and am in Beta club. Also, what will I have to do after highschool to become a scientist? How long will it take? Thanks in advance.

• Answer:

  Princeton is an excellent choice because of its emphasis on undergraduate research. There are other colleges that would also fall into that category and I would encourage you to look at those as well. Some examples are listed at the Colleges That Change Lives web site. You are already doing most of the right things, e.g. getting high grades, participating in extracurricular activities, etc. Take chemistry, biology, and physics in high school. Take four years of math and English. Take earth science if you are interested in geology, petroleum engineering, meteorology, etc. Take advanced science courses if offered. Increasing your vocabulary and studying logic will help you do well on the SAT. See if there are any summer science programs at Princeton or other universities that you could attend (see example from last year at third link below). After high school, go to college and earn a Bachelor of Science in a scientific discipline of interest to you. Earn an honors degree if possible. Do undergraduate research. This will take about four years. Then go on to graduate school and earn a Ph.D. This will take at least three years. Most graduate students in science get a stipend and tuition waiver to cover their educational costs. In return they work as teaching assistants or research assistants. The first two years of graduate school are mostly classroom courses, but after that it is mostly research and writing one's dissertation. After earning a Ph.D., most scientist work as postdoctoral fellows for a year or more. You are paid at this point. Your goal will be to do good research and get it published. Finally, now that you have a Ph.D. and a good record of published research, you would seek a job either in industry or academia doing research.