<p>I'm interested in majoring in Biology. Does anyone know any universities that offer a fantastic Biology program? Also, does Nova Southeastern University really sucks as much as I have heard it does?</p>
<p>Let's put it this way, Nova is not the best school in the world. :)</p>
<p>Can you give us an idea of your stats and any preferences you have in terms of size, location, financial aid, merit money, social scene, etc. We can make more targeted suggestions that way.</p>
<p>Stats:
I'm a junior
Old SAT: Math - 650; Verbal - 620
Still waiting for PSAT scores, but the Math section was so easy...
Taking AP Chemistry; passing with A's
Will take AP US Government and Macroeconomics next semester
Interests:
Class size: would really prefer small (30), but could handle large(100)
In fact, location is really not an issue for me; reputation is what matters to me.....</p>
<p>Someone plz help!</p>
<p>Hope College - for undergraduates, it has the best research program in the country bar none, and has the highest percentage of undergraduate research published in peer reviewed journals of any college in the United States. Other really excellent programs exist at Kalamazoo, Earlham, Grinnell, Lawrence, and Reed.</p>
<p>Actually, the University of Michigan has the number 1 rated undergraduate research program.</p>
<p>Not even close; check the rate of undergraduate research publication. Fine facilities, of course, and lots of first and second year courses taught by graduate students and TAs. You will find yourself competing for research attention with graduate students who are being paid for the chance, and on whom the future of the university's reputation depends. The best students, of course, will get those opportunities any way, but the average student would do MUCH better at Hope. (How many "average" students at the University of Michigan do substantial undergraduate research? If you use your fingers, you may have to cut some off.)</p>
<p>For what it's worth, in terms of future Ph.D. productivity in biology, the top 9 undergraduate programs in the country are: Reed, Caltech, Swarthmore, UChicago, Kalamazoo, MIT, Earlham, Harvey Mudd, and Grinnell. However, once you factor out selectivity at admission (and hence measured the "program", as opposed to the students who got into it), you'd end up with the first list I posted. </p>
<p>If you did the same with medical schools (not that it is particularly difficult to get into med. school these days), you'd have pretty much the same list, but you'd add Hampshire, and the women's colleges - Wellesley, Mt. Holyoke, Smith, and Bryn Mawr.</p>
<p>For a reach, try Johns Hopkins, which has a great biology program. Students participate in research on a regular basis (about 70+% of bio students), and you can earn up to 6 credits a year for research.</p>
<p>Hopkins is probably an unrealistic reach with an SAT score of 1270. If you have decent grades and can bump it up to the mid-to-high 1300's, it would be more realistic.</p>
<p>I agree with mini's list. A few other schools I might add for you to look at: Dickinson in PA, Boston U, Brandeis, St. Olaf, Emory, Franklin and Marshall, Grinnell, Kenyon, U of Wisconsin, Reed, Rhodes Colege, Southwestern U, Trinity College, U of Michigan, Tufts, Wake Forest. All of these are very different schools with different levels of competitiveness but all have great bio departments. Add in mini's suggestions and Johns Hopkins and you'd have a great place to start.</p>
<p>If you are form CA, most of the UCs (esp. UCB, UCSD, and UCD) have amazing bio programs.</p>