Expert: Sue Kayton - 1/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: Is there any way you could help a majorly confused high-schooler figure out what college to go to for forensics? Anything about what I need to do to prepare for college would also be epically appreciated!

ANSWER: The best person to answer this question is a friend of mine who is a debate coach in the San Francisco area.  She knows a lot about debate at the high school and college levels.  Please send me an email to kayton@alum.mit.edu and I will forward it to her.  She can answer your questions directly.

As I'm sure you are aware, there are different types of debate and speech in college, such as APDA debate, which my son did in college.  APDA does Parli-type debate, which is a lot of fun.  Depending on what style of debate, or which speech events you are interested in, that would influence which colleges participate.  

One other idea is to go to the websites for the style/leagues of debate that interest you, and see which colleges participate.

Looking forward to receiving your email.

-Sue Kayton
kayton@alum.mit.edu

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I was actually asking about forensic science and stuff like that. Do you have any advice for finding a college?

Answer
Sorry- when I hear "forensics", I think "debate", not CSI.  

I have no personal experience with forensic science.  I suggest that you visit the websites for professional organizations in that field, or contact your local sheriff's office, county coroner's office, or medical examiner's office.  They can provide you with leads.

I live in California, where most of the state colleges and community colleges all have programs in forensic science.  I assume that whatever state you live in also does the same thing.  

Let me recommend an excellent book - the title is Stiff:  The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach.  It's a great introduction to the real field of medical forensics, which is much different than you see on television.  

Another interesting book is Dead Men Do Tell Tales: The Strange and Fascinating Cases of a Forensic Anthropologist, by William Maples.  

Another book - The Casebook of Forensic Detection: How Science Solved 100 of the World's Most Baffling Crimes, by Evans

Also try - The Forensic Casebook: The Science of Crime Scene Investigation, by Genge

Good luck!