<p>Basically, I'm really, really set on applying to Washington University in St. Louis (ED, in fact), but I just want to have some other safeties/matches lined up in case I don't make it in. I would like a school that's small to average in size (no more than 6,000 or so undergraduates), has a very intellectual atmosphere (but isn't the University of Chicago), isn't big on sports or partying, is academically respected, and is located in the Midwest. I'm really not familiar with any LAC's, so if any of you are big on those, I'd love your input. I plan on majoring in biology and applying to medical school, if that helps. My applicant profile is below:</p>
<p>Stats:</p>
<ul>
<li>SAT: N/A</li>
<li>ACT: 35 (35 English, 35 Math, 34 Reading, 35 Science, 11 Writing)</li>
<li>SAT IIs: N/A</li>
<li>AP Scores: AP U.S. History (5), AP Biology (5), AP U.S. Government and Politics (5),
and AP Microeconomics (5)</li>
<li>GPA: 4.00 UW, 5.86 W (on a 5.00 scale)</li>
<li>Rank: 2/482</li>
<li>Senior Class Schedule: AP Literature and Composition, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP
Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Chemistry, and Honors Physics</li>
</ul>
<p>Subjective:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Essay: Obviously, everyone think theirs is amazing. I think mine uniquely manipulates one of my passions (playing the guitar) to get across a fairly refreshing and original message regarding how to live one's life.</p></li>
<li><p>Teacher Recs: Exceptional. One from my AP Bio teacher who loved me, another from my Spanish 4 teacher who is very, very familiar with my academic ability AND extracurriculars, and possibly one from my freshman Honors English teacher</p></li>
<li><p>Counselor Rec: Excellent; he was actually one of my wrestling coaches in middle school (I was a captain) and I am very involved with the counseling office at our school. I'm sure he'll make my dedication and persistence known.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Extracurriculars:</p>
<ul>
<li>Football (9): I was an "A" Team starting linebacker for my freshman year</li>
<li>Indoor Track & Field (10, 11, 12): Varsity level 11th and 12th grades</li>
<li>Outdoor Track & Field (10, 11, 12): Varsity level 11th and 12th grades</li>
<li>Key Club (10, 11, 12): I ran two fundraisers for a non-profit food pantry in our area, raising over $500 each time</li>
<li>Student Athletic Trainer (10, 11, 12): Head Varsity Student Athletic Trainer 12th grade, will most likely get an extremely strong rec from the AT himself</li>
<li>Spanish Honor Society (10, 11, 12): Member (we don't have a board or anything)</li>
<li>Mu Alpha Theta (10, 11, 12): Member, fulfilled all service hour requirements</li>
<li>National Honor Society (11, 12): Projected board member (most likely vice president, possible president), fulfilled all service hour requirements</li>
<li>School Ambassador (10, 11, 12): This is a selective group of students chosen to volunteer at school events; it has a service hour requirement that I have fulfilled each semester</li>
<li>Boys State 2011: Went through a rigorous selection process at my school to be admitted to the program</li>
<li>Volunteer Work: Over 100 hours of volunteer work at the same food pantry I raised money for through my Key Club fundraiser; over 25 hours tutoring ELL kids at a local church</li>
</ul>
<p>Work Experience/Internships:</p>
<ul>
<li>Veterinary Assistant (10, 11, 12): Work every week, about 4 hours per week</li>
<li>Tutor (9, 11): In 9th grade I tutored a middle-aged woman from Serbia on the English language/speech, in 11th grade I tutored a fellow classmate on microeconomics</li>
<li>Local College Internship (11): For the entire first semester of 11th grade, I interned at a local college, helping a group of three seniors do research on a jellyfish toxin they though might have the potential to become an anti-cancer drug. I helped out in the lab, listened in on discussions, and even met with their professor as well to discuss the findings and help apply them to my own biology class</li>
<li>Internship at Local Hospital (12): Basically shadowing a surgeon</li>
</ul>
<p>Location/Person:</p>
<ul>
<li>State or Country: Illinois</li>
<li>School Type: Public</li>
<li>Ethnicity: Caucasian</li>
<li>Gender: Male</li>
<li>Other Factors: Will be applying for financial aid (income = ~$80,000)</li>
</ul>
<p>The only thing I'm really concerned about is the lack of stellar extracurriculars, though I'm hoping my grades and other subjective portions of my application will make up for that. Thanks for taking the time to help me out!</p>