Am I headed in the right way?

<p>I’m trying to compile my school list, and want to know if I’m headed in the right direction. I want a school with a great sense of community, preferably in or near a city. I plan on majoring in biology, but want to be in a college with diverse people and opportunities. Which schools in the “maybe list” or other schools not listed would be good for me?</p>

<p>I will probably EA to Yale as a biology major, but I am not sure if that is the best decision for me. I love the school, but I think I may be in over my head.</p>

<p>Here is what I have so far.</p>

<p>SUPER REACH:
Yale
Brown
Upenn</p>

<p>REACH / MATCH
Tufts
JHU</p>

<p>SAFETIES:
Rutgers (my state college)</p>

<p>Schools I want to look into:
William and Mary
Northwestern
U Chicago
U Michigan
Swarthmore
Wash U</p>

<p>Here are my stats.</p>

<p>Academics
GPA: 3.83 unweighted
Rank: top 5%
Courseload: All AP and honors except for a few electives
SAT: M 760 V 740 W 690 (essay:11)
SAT II: BioM 770 US History 790 iic 780</p>

<p>Music
- Marching Band – 9, 10, 11, 12
- Officer Position: Trumpet Section Leader in Junior Year
- Jazz Band II – 9, 10
- Jazz Band I – 11
- Brass Choir – 10
- Symphony Orchestra – 11
- Musical Pit Orchestra – 11
- Private Lessons on Trumpet for 5 years</p>

<p>Service
- People to People Student Chapter – 10, 11, 12
- Outside of school (student ran)
- Officer: Co-President in end of Junior Year to end of Senior Year</p>

<ul>
<li>Volunteer Tutoring at Bradley Gardens (elementary school) – 10, 11, 12</li>
<li>Average of 3 hours per week for two school years </li>
<li>Offered a job, turned it down to keep volunteering</li>
</ul>

<p>Science
- Astronomy Club – 10, 11, 12 (don't know if I should mention this on the app since it's only had about 4 meetings a year and doesn't do much)
- Brown Summer Studies “Waging War on Cancer” - summer of Junior year</p>

<p>Honor Societies
- Math Honors Society – 10, 11, 12
- Officer: Service Coordinator (head of tutoring) - 12
- German Honors Society – 10, 11, 12
- Music Honors Society – 11, 12
- National Honors Society – 11, 12</p>

<p>I think Yale is a great choice for biology. I do not think you will be in over your head at Yale. Let the colleges decide whether you will be in over your head. If so, they won't admit you. Yale is realistic for you.</p>

<p>I do not think W&M is known for its biology program. The others on your maybe list are good in biology. Other possibilities to consider:
Duke
Cornell
U of Rochester
MIT
Haverford</p>

<p>Rutgers is rolling, so get your application in early and you can have your first acceptance by Thanksgiving.</p>

<p>bump.
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.
.
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.</p>

<p>Tufts and Holy Cross.</p>