Checklist | Marine & Wildlife Biology Guide

This Week

Start an iNaturalist account — begin documenting species around your area, especially intertidal organisms

Research SCUBA shops in the Puget Sound area — get pricing for PADI Open Water certification

Get the Washington State Boater Education Card — free/cheap online course at parks.wa.gov

Identify 10–15 UW SAFS/Biology faculty whose research interests match yours and draft cold emails asking about summer research opportunities

Apply to summer programs whose deadlines haven't passed (check SEA Semester, Mote Marine, SCA, Scripps/UCSD Research Scholars)

Contact Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary about volunteer/citizen science opportunities

Apply to Seattle Aquarium volunteer / Beach Naturalist program

Enroll in PADI Open Water SCUBA certification

Start learning Python — begin with Codecademy or “Python for Biologists” (pythonforbiologists.com)

Start or join a marine conservation club at school

Secure a summer research placement (UW lab, NOAA NWFSC, or a summer program)

Register for AP Bio / AP Environmental Science / AP Stats for senior year if not already enrolled

Complete First Aid / CPR certification

Enter the Ocean Awareness Contest (Bow Seat — typically due June)

Research the Regeneron STS timeline — plan your research project so it’s complete by November of senior year

Conduct original research with a mentor — this is the single most impactful activity

Advance SCUBA certification to Advanced Open Water

Continue citizen science documentation (iNaturalist, eBird)

Begin drafting your research paper for Regeneron STS submission

Submit Regeneron STS application (typically due November)

Register for regional science fair (ISEF pathway)

Submit Davidson Fellows application (typically due February)

Finalize college applications with marine biology as your central narrative

Secure letters of recommendation from research mentor + science teacher + one other

Program / Competition	Typical Deadline	Notes
UCSD Research Scholars Marine Science	May 30, 2026	For Summer 2026
SEA Semester summer programs	January–March	Check specific program
Mote Marine Lab internships	February–March	For summer
Regeneron STS	November of senior year	Research paper must be complete
Davidson Fellows	February	Significant project required
Regional science fairs (ISEF path)	February–March	Check WA regional schedule
JSHS regional	January–March	Check Pacific NW region
Stockholm Junior Water Prize	Winter / early spring	US national competition
Ocean Awareness Contest (Bow Seat)	June	Multiple categories
UC application deadline	November 30	All UC schools
Common App early deadlines	November 1–15	Stanford, Duke, etc.
Common App regular deadlines	January 1–15	Most private schools