I was accepted at all four schools. I am planning on being a neuroscience major (at BC I would be a psych major concentrating in neuro) but pre-med. I’m not sure how likely I am to switch majors, but if I did, it would prob be in the humanities. I’d like to know which schools have the best pre-health advising, research/clinical opportunities, study abroad flexibility, or if there’s any grade deflation at each of the schools.
So far I only have my financial aid packages from Mac and Brandeis. Mac is much more affordable ($2015 if I do work-study vs $5600 at Brandeis if I do work-study). But, I’m from New England, so I’d also have to consider the cost of actually moving everything and shipping out to Minnesota.
I heard that BC is bad with financial aid. Not sure about Smith.
I think you really just need to wait until you hear about financial aid at the other two schools.
As far as Brandeis and Macalester go, I think it’s pretty much a wash. Macalester is slightly better-ranked overall and cheaper, but Brandeis has better biological/medical facilities and is likely more desirable for you, being from New England.
It is a bit surprising to see your list of 3 co-ed schools and one women’s college. Smith would provide a very different experience than the others. Most people who go to Smith are attending because it is a strong women’s college. So they are usually choosing amongst women’s colleges. If you are not sure about attending a women’s college, you should probably not consider it.
@lostaccount I did apply to two other women’s colleges - Mt. Holyoke (accepted) and Barnard (waitlisted). I didn’t mention Mt. Holyoke bc I was in the process of appealing, which just went through successfully (still a bit on the pricier side for me, though).