Boise State vs. College of Idaho vs. South Dakota School of Mines to major in BIO. advice?

Really indecisive at this point. I want to go somewhere that I can get an excellent biology education and possibly do undergraduate research. It
Boise: Received GEM scholarship which means I would get in-state tuition. Also was accepted into the honors college.

College of Idaho: Small school and lots of access to professors. I have heard excellent things about the bio program.

SDSMT: Visited and loved aspects of the school, but not Rapid City so much.The bio program is pretty new at this point, but I hear SDSMT is a VERY difficult school to get a decent GPA. I hear that the social scene is not too great either.

Any advice or input would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thank you.

Hello, the College of Idaho is an outstanding private college, near Boise. They have produced more Rhodes Scholars per capita than any other college. The biology department is excellent with a close nit faculty and low student teacher ratios. The physician assistant program shares some faculty in the department. The college just announced the construction of a state of the art library. Some say it but the truth is the campus is a true family atmosphere. The is no hiding here. The faculty will know you by name and expect you to be in their class. Students support each other. Football has the 2nd highest attendance inNAIA, Basketball the same. There is a place for you with a supportive student body and faculty that want you to succeed.

Would you be premed?
What’s your budget and what’s the net cost for each*?
I’d pick between College of Idaho and SDSM, they’re the strongest academically.
College of Idaho is a very good college, good contac with professors, smaller, interactive classes… Also, there’ll be more girls than guys and a variety of majors and academic interests.
SDSM will be tech-focused, with a lot more guys than girls. Excellent opportunities for engineering and CS, but I don’t know for biology.

  • (tuition, fees, room, board) - (scholarships, grants) = net cost

I’m a HUGE fan of small LACs for the more intimate quality of education including access to professors and research opportunities… I don’t know much about C of I but what I have heard has been incredibly positive. I’d visit the campuses, meet with faculty, sit in on classes, do all the things that will give you a taste of each school. I can imagine they all feel a bit different!