<p>Hi guys, I'm a rising senior beginning to apply to colleges, and I'm a little confused about where I want to go. I live in Michigan, so U of M is definitely big on my list. I'm also planning on applying to the universities of North and South Carolina, and probably U Miami as well. I would like to go to school for biology (I have various interests in this area, like genetics, medicine, and marine biology) and/or possibly business.</p>
<p>So, I guess I have a few questions here. First, what kind of chances do you think I stand of receiving a merit scholarship to the schools mentioned above? Second, what other schools would you recommend for biology, especially in the areas of genetics, medicine, or marine bio? Third, my absolute dream school is MIT, however, I am thinking that applying there might just be unrealistic, especially after seeing some of the other posts here. So I guess I would like chances feedback as well for what I would consider extraordinary reaches for me, namely MIT, and also Columbia, Penn, USC, and Notre Dame. I know this post is a bit long-winded, but feel free to pick it apart! Any help/guidance/feedback would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Here are my stats:</p>
<p>White Male from a small rural town of less than 2000 in SW Michigan</p>
<p>ACT composite: 33
SAT: 2140 (M 780 CR 670 W 690)
GPA: 3.823 UW
Class Rank: 12/~200</p>
<p>I haven't taken the SAT II's yet; I need to sign up for those soon.</p>
<p>Schedule:</p>
<p>Freshman-Junior years I attended the County Math and Science Center, which selects 30 students from several area schools to participate in their Math and Science program that is held on the campus of Andrews University. Thus, each year I have only had six classes. My home school does not offer any type of honors classes.</p>
<p>9th Grade:</p>
<p>Algebra II
Computer Science I
Research Biology
English 9
American History
Woodworking</p>
<p>10th Grade:</p>
<p>Pre-Calc
AP Computer Science (3 on the exam)
Chemistry
English 10
Civics/Global Issues
Spanish I</p>
<p>11th Grade (tough year):</p>
<p>AP Calculus AB (4 on the exam)
Elementary Spanish I and II (Andrews University course, 7 college credits)
AP Physics B (2 on the exam)
ACP Chemistry (ACP stands for Advance College Project; it's an Indiana University class for high school students, received 7 college credits. Also foolishly decided to try the AP Chem exam after taking this, received a 1.)
English 11
Economics/Integrated Social Studies</p>
<p>12th Grade (my first year at my home school for the full day):</p>
<p>American Film Survey
AP Statistics
ACP English
Oceanography
Athletic Weight Training
Spanish IV
AP Bio</p>
<p>Sports:</p>
<p>4 years basketball (freshman, JV, and two years Varsity)
*This is a huge commitment, as the season is around five months long, not including the daily practice we have in June and July.</p>
<p>4 years tennis (one JV, three Varsity), all conference awards</p>
<p>2 years cross country (two Varsity), all conference awards</p>
<p>EC's:</p>
<p>2 years student council (junior and senior years)
1 year NHS (only for seniors at my school)
Volunteer at a bible camp in the summer as a camp counselor (two weeks/year)
Worked every summer (two summers at a manufacturing plant, one summer at a nursery)
Internship in IT this summer at a large aluminum distribution company</p>
<p>Awards:</p>
<p>Several school awards for various classes
National Merit Commendation
National English Merit Award</p>
<p>That's the gist of it. Thanks!</p>