College Suggestions? Less Competitive Schools similar to WashU?

Hello, this is my first time making a post on here, so bear with me.

I am interested in Neuroscience and Biology, and would like to discover the option of studying animals (animal behavior) but also just basic psychology in humans. Undergrad research opportunities are also very important to me, however I strongly prefer medium sized schools.

Other info:
~Midwest area or slightly outside there is preferred (I am from Chicago)
~ACT: 29 (Super-scored 32)
~GPA: 4.02
~4 AP Classes
~4 Years of Latin
~Majority of classes are Honors (when offered) and I had a very vigorous schedule all four years (i.e. no lunch and classes before/after school)
~ Roughly 80 service hours
~Many activities (A lot of choir, which I would like to continue)
~Tend to like nature, worked as a camp counselor in Michigan

My favorite school I have seen so far is Washington University in St. Louis, but, if you cant tell it is definitely a reach for me. I really liked their atmosphere and their involvement with the zoo nearby, which I thought was unique. I like Northwestern too, but again, it is a reach.

I am open to basically anything as I am desperate to find out what my future holds, Thank you all.

Check out Rhodes if you’re willing to go smaller. It’s good for most fields but particularly strong in the sciences. The Memphis Zoo is one of the best in the country and literally across the street, as are a large park and the art museum.

Ohio Wesleyan and Lawrence are also excellent options for animal behavior. Again, they’re small.

Since you’re a IL resident, you’d be eligible for greatly reduced tuition at Truman State through the Midwest Student Exchange Program. It has about 5700 undergrads and would be a safe match.

Thank you. Looking those up now.

…more suggestions are helpful still :slight_smile:

Have you considered Miami of Ohio? Good school, solid biology program. I can see it as a toned down Wash U.

Honestly never heard much about it, but you’re right. Thank you!

Much larger school, but I’ve heard that the University of Minnesota is strong in animal science.

Miami Ohio is beautiful with strong programs and is a good match. Not sure about specific opps for you. Minnesota twin cities you can definitely get into likely with good merit aid, and they have great sciences, esp. psych. It is a big school but the research and hands on opps are there because you are in a real, working city. Ohio State and UW Madison are both bigger as well but if you can’t find your specifications in a medium school and would rather do big than small, those are good matches statistically and are close to home.

Yes, I’ve looked into the bigger schools a bit. The size is the only thing that worries me, I tend to need a small class size. Thank you all.

On our tour of Texas A&M, we were told they have the top Vet program in the country. Not sure if that is accurate, but that might be another school to look. at. Creighton also comes to mind for those fields.

Good luck!

Check out Bucknell’s program in animal behavior:
http://www.bucknell.edu/AnimalBehavior

Bucknell has about 3500 undergraduates, which is relatively large for a liberal arts college. Less than 3% of Bucknell’s classes have 50 or more students.

Bucknell’s fall 2013 admission rate was 29.5%.
Its ACT Composite 25th-75th percentile range was 27-32.
So it’s selective, but less so than WUSTL.

Check out Denver University for a medium size private school.

What about Pitt? It might be too large for you, but it fits your criteria otherwise.