College Hunting

<p>I am currently a rising senior in central Illinois. I am interested in attending medical school. I have started searching for colleges but have gotten very overwhelmed. I would like to attend a top tier university, however I can only afford around 30,000 a year in total expenses. I received a 33 on my ACT and will be the valedictorian of my class. I am interested in biology majors and also the PNP major WashU. My question is, what schools should I be looking at? Also, if I can't afford or get into a top tier school, what other schools are affordable and good academically that will prepare me for medical school?</p>

<p>Thank you</p>

<p>A few points:</p>

<p>1) Medical schools don’t care much where you do your undergrad, and most reputable schools offer decent basic sciences, so any reputable school should be fine. The important factors are GPA, MCAT score, and state of residence (for less expensive state medical schools). </p>

<p>2) Medical school is very expensive, so you don’t want to go into debt as an undergrad if you can help it.</p>

<p>3) You need to decide what your other criteria are for schools since your grades and test scores are fine for most good schools. Generous financial aid is obviously one criteria. Is your in-state uni a decent safety?</p>

<p>did you take the PSAT and score above the NMSF cutoff for Ill? If so, you can get a free Tuition scholarship at U of Alabama and a 1/2 Tuition scholarhip at USouthern Caif [ if you are accepted there] There are lots of other colleges that would love to have you, but youll have to drop your sights below Wash U in order to qualify for big merit $$.</p>

<p>It would be helpful to know some of your Extracurricular activities and major awards</p>

<p>Actually, OP’s ACT score qualifies him/her for a full tuition scholarship to the University of Alabama anyway.</p>

<p>I am pretty sure that I didn’t qualify as a National Merit Scholar, I know that your undergrad is a major deal when it comes to pre-med, im just trying to find the right fit. Ive also looked at Tufts, Wisconsin, Iown, Mizzou and UW</p>

<p>University of Illinois
Wisconsin
Minnesota
University of Alabama Birmingham (Full Ride or 15k Scholarship not sure, possible auto admittance to med school)
Howard (Full ride)</p>

<p>the University of Rochester is similar in feel to WashU and offers extensive merit scholarships.</p>

<p>Do you know your families calculated EFC? If it is below 30K, then you might not have to worry about limiting your list to schools that give merit aid</p>

<p>Why not UIUC?</p>

<p>I never really got a good vibe from UIUC when I went and visited campus</p>

<p>and my parents make roughly 170000 a year</p>

<p>I’ll second U Rochester (my son who liked WUSTL is heading to U Rochester next year for neuro/cognitive w/merit aid) and add Case Western and Pittsburgh (your ACT would put you in the running for merit scholarships at Pitt).</p>

<p>I’d say…</p>

<p>WUSTL (you mentioned it)
Tufts (you mentioned it)
JHU
CMU
Brandeis
University of Rochester
Ohio State University
Purdue</p>

<p>If you want to go to medical school, you really just need to go to the most affordable school you can for undergrad. Best of luck!</p>

<p>Since you won’t receive too much need-based aid, apply to schools with good merit aid. University of Alabama is one of the best schools in this regard because the aid is guaranteed. Other schools with COMPETITIVE merit aid include:
Washington University in St. Louis (Reach)
University of Southern California (Reach)
Case Western (Match)
University of Rochester (Match)
University of Pittsburgh (Safety)
Drexel University (Safety)</p>

<p>In your situation, Case, Rochester, and Drexel all have very strong science/engineering/premed programs. </p>

<p>You could also apply to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford, all of which have good need-based aid even for your income (though it may go a little bit over $30,000/year). </p>

<p>Just remember to apply somewhere where you KNOW you will be able to afford it.</p>