<p>I thought I had my college list all planned out, until my parents informed me that we wouldn't be able to afford most of the colleges on my list. My father works for the University of the Pacific, which qualifies me for the Tuition Exchange program, reducing tuition to 10%. However, most of the colleges on the list I've never heard of. I'm not one of those students who is bent on an Ivy or a name-brand school, but sometimes knowing the name of a school is an indication that it will provide a great education. I am applying for a large number of private scholarships, hoping that they will allow me to go to the "best fit" school for me. I guess my question is, what are the academic reputations of the schools on the Tuition exchange list? I am #1 in my class of 500 students, and intend to go to medical school...</p>
<p>Here are the colleges on my list (***= on Tuition exchange list)
Brown
Stanford
Duke
Notre Dame
Northwestern
Rice
UCLA
UC Davis
Yale
Princeton
Dartmouth
Tufts
Wesleyan</p>
<p><em>**Vilanova
*</em><em>Bard College (NY)
*</em><em>USC
*</em>*Bucknell</p>
<p>Just a quick observation, especially without knowing your stats, but you would be fortunate to be accepted to 25% of the schools on your list. The Tuition Exchange schools would provide you with a great education and at a reduced cost to you and your family. On top of that, you intend to go to med school. I would say research your Tuition Exchange schools and pick the one you like the most, which is the best fit and go there. The academic reputations of the Tuition Exchange schools are not Ivy types, but they are solid, highly respected institutions.</p>
<p>The schools on your tuition exchange list are fabulous schools. My son applied to two of them with a 33 ACT (USC and Bucknell) and he was happy to be accepted at both. He also loved Villanova, but decided he had enough schools on his list so didn’t apply. He also applied to Rice, Northwestern and UCLA, but did not get in. This is just to give you some idea of difficulty of getting into the other schools on your list regardless of your class rank. You will certainly find plenty of excellent students at the tuition exchange schools. I would spend some time looking at the 4 schools you listed and ask yourself - urban or rural, small or large, east coast or west coast, Catholic or non-religious? Check out the courses offered in your intended major - for premed it could be anything.</p>
<p>Just echoing the comments above - your tuition exchange schools are all wonderful options. If med school is your dream, then you’ve got a great way to save cash - by attending a fine institution for a great price.</p>
<p>I’ve been here searching out schools for my son (class of 2012), and I’ve already decided that I’d love to quit my job and apply to USC myself!</p>