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Depending on the university earth science isn’t always the best route. For example, I started out as a geology major when I was in undergrad but changes to zoology because that was where the paleontology classes were offered. Evolution, biogeography and invertebrate zoology are all important classes but generally offered through a biology department. However, some schools offer invertebrate paleontology in their geology departments. Sometimes evolution and biogeography can be taken without doing the general bio series or with instructor approval. Other times you need the prereqs. It all depends. Also don’t go changing your major too soon. While for most grad schools it doesn’t matter if you were bio or geo sometimes it does. Despite having been a geology minor I was told I could not apply to Northern Arizona University because my major wasn’t geology and felt that I wouldn’t be qualified to TA intro geology courses. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy is/are important for any paleo.

I also strongly recommend doing undergraduate research. This shows potential advisors that you understand the research, publishing and conference aspects of paleontology. Since your interest is marine paleo I recommend you find a professor at your undergrad who does that and do research under her/him. If there isn’t, you can try and contact someone at another university and try to work out a remote research project. It is sometimes hard to break out of what you did your undergrad research in because people read that on your CV and associate you with that.

Good luck!

are there any books that you would suggest reading?