<p>Looking for a challenging university, more than 2000 students, where greek life does not rule and some city life exists. A university or college where most students live on campus, highly ranked, that gives a good amount of merit aid and teachers are accessible.
I have a 4.0uw 4.24 7 AP/Honors classes, English AP score of 5, SAT writing score of 11/12, ACT 30. I love chemistry, neuroscience, english and spanish.<br>
If it was a school that wasn't freezing and in the middle of nowhere that would be great!
Ideas?</p>
<p>University of Alabama?</p>
<p>Northwestern</p>
<p>Northwestern will almost certainly not give merit aid to a student with a 30 ACT. However its financial aid may be superior to most schools which practically throw out merit aid. </p>
<p>Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas may be a possibility.
Here are some other schools that meet most/all of your criteria:
University of Denver (poor neuroscience offerings)
Tulane
TCU
University of San Diego (poor neuroscience)
Furman University
Rhodes College
Muhlenberg College (cold)
University of Puget Sound (cold)
Elon</p>
<p>muhlenberg college ( amazing)
hendrix college (hidden gem)</p>
<p>University of Miami</p>
<p>I won’t qualify for any fin aid, but I have to pay my way for anything over a state school cost.<br>
Northwestern would be awesome. I went to a very difficult school and took a course that is high rigor (but not the highest). Got out with high GPA and no stress or eating disorder- woohoo! I’ve got a great essay and tons of volunteering, now fluent in spanish and a 5 on AP English. Not sure I could get in.
I like USD, definitely going to apply there. UCSD would be better for neuroscience, but I’m not a Calif kid.<br>
UPS is not as cold as it is just rainy and cloudy. But neuroscience at UPS is not a major- it is an interdisciplinary emphasis for BIO or Psych majors.<br>
Elon I had not heard of before- it looks pretty good, but would it be considered impressive for grad school?<br>
I’ve heard that Furman is great, but hard to get a 4.0 and not anymore impressive for grad school than other schools where you can get a 4.0 with hard work.<br>
TCU focuses on the greek life a bit.<br>
U of Miami is pretty spendy- do they give a lot of merit money?
Thanks for these great suggestions! An overall great school is probably better than focusing too much on neuroscience as an undergrad…</p>
<p>What’s your home state?</p>
<p>Northwestern is a non-starter. You aid will be based on finances, not merit. </p>
<p>Go to the Financial Aid forum and look at the stickies which list guaranteed scholarships.</p>
<p>Are you trying to pick a school where you think you can get a 4.0? Not the greatest of decision factors. I’m not sure any graduate school will care if you got a 4.0 vs. a 3.9. I think it’s more important to look at research opportunities, if you’re looking to go to graduate school.</p>
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<p>What do you mean by “state school cost”?
That could range from < $10K for commuter schools in some states to ~$50K for an OOS student to attend some public flagships.</p>
<p>If you mean ~$20K to attend a typical in-state flagship and live on campus, then you would need quite a lot of merit aid to bring most selective private schools down to that level. “Highly ranked” schools are not too likely to award a $30K-$40K merit scholarship. Many schools ranked in the US News 21-50 range or so (national universities or national LACs) do award merit aid, but the average award typically is more like a $10K-$15K “discount” than full tuition.</p>
<p>The University of Alabama often is recommended on CC for guaranteeing substantial merit scholarships to students with high stats.</p>
<p>I agree with tk2 - even schools that use merit aid to attract the best students are not going to give you enough of it to make it as inexpensive as a state school. This report from Kiplinger’s shows you how much need-based and non-need-based aid is spent by private universities. Note also the percentage of students that receive it.
[Kiplinger’s</a> Best Values in Private Colleges-Kiplinger](<a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php]Kiplinger’s”>http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php)</p>
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<p>:confused:</p>
<p>DePaul University - Chicago
University of Pittsburgh
Tulane University or Loyola University (New Orleans)</p>
<p>You should also have a look at McGill University in Montreal.</p>
<p>I second McGill university. Montreal is an awesome city and McGill is downtown. Greek life is a non-factor. The downside is that it is cold in winter. McGill is very marks driven, so a 4.0 will really help you get some aid money although as an international applicant it still will be competitive. Still since campaign McGill just wrapped up last year and most of the $1billion+ raised were earmarked for scholarships and financial aid, your chances at getting money will probably be much better than in previous years.</p>
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<p>To me and others, that’s a good thing.
Winters are supposed to be cold.
One can’t ice-skate or downhill ski or go sledding or cross-countrying skiing, etc. if it’s 70 degrees outside. ;)</p>
<p>*I have a 4.0uw 4.24 7 AP/Honors classes, English AP score of 5, SAT writing score of 11/12, ACT 30. I love chemistry, neuroscience, english and spanish. *</p>
<p>Yes, there is Greek Life at Bama, but the truth is that those in STEM majors are the least likely to rush/pledge. </p>
<p>Neither of my boys pledged at Bama and both had active social lives. One was a math major and one was a ChemE major. Their academic buildings were in the NE section of campus (where all the STEM classes are). The students who “go Greek” tend to be in majors that are on the west side of campus. </p>
<p>With a 30, you’d get the 2/3 tuition scholarship which brings cost down to below or equal to your instate public.</p>
<p>If you were to major in ChemE (or some other eng’g or CS major), you’d get free tuition plus 2500 per year. Remaining cost would be about $12k per year. </p>
<p>What is your career goal?</p>
<p>Holy Cross-top25 LAC 1 hour from Boston gives some merit aid.</p>
<p>University of Tulsa?</p>