College Suggestions?

I’m a female senior in high school and have an idea of some schools I want to go to, but would like to expand my options as I’m not sure I’ll get into many of the ones I like. Currently I’m a fan of northeastern, Boston university, brandeis, Boston college, UConn, and possibly Tufts. I’m looking to major in biology on the premedical track so I’m looking for schools that will let me shine amongst other candidates and avoid extreme debt.

Some stats:
Act-30
Sat-1320(will be using my act score)
Gpa-100.75/4.03 weighted
5 Aps (Language, literature, physics, calculus, us history)
All honors classes
Many ecs (youth advisory board for my countys district attorney(currently on leadership team), student council president, nhs, red Cross volunteer, field hockey captain and track team member, work at my towns afterschool program, etc)

Any suggestions for colleges will be extremely helpful, specifically looking for match schools with good premed programs/stats and research/intern opportunities in the New England/ Atlantic area but also possibly in new York.

How about UMASS? Really good in the sciences.

@rickle1 I forgot to put that in the colleges I’m looking into but yes- I will be applying to UMass, but it’s not one of my top choices

Based on your geographical theme, you might look into Wheaton.

You said that you want to avoid extreme debt. Can your family afford BU or Northeastern? These schools, as well as some of your others, are quite pricey. What can your parents afford to pay?

If you want to shine among other candidates and also avoid extreme debt, then my advice it to apply to one of your state schools and also make a list of safeties. Your current list consists of matches and reaches (maybe UConn is a safety?).

SUNY Buffalo is a good one to add to your list. Maybe take a look at the University of Delaware? How about Emerson?

@merc81 i’ve definitely heard of Wheaton/I’ve had a family member go there but don’t know much about it. Are they particularly strong in the sciences/have research opportunities?

OP - if you haven’t looked at UMASS’ Honors College, you might want to check it out. Know some kids that have done really well there in STEM. I assume it’s strong across the board. Interesting thing is that a buddy of mine went to Tufts, got an EE degree and is now a Patent Attorney. His daughter was an engineer and they chose Umass HC over Tufts. Thought the overall program was actually stronger.

If you stay in the premed arena and follow through to med school, you can get there from any of these schools.

Within the types of programs in which you’ve expressed an interest, @dw1213, Wheaton seems to offer a nice array of opportunities. For example, majors across the biological sciences appear to be quite popular.

https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Wheaton+college&s=all&id=168281#programs

Not to be too negative, but your ACT score seems low for most of the schools listed. Brandeis is test optional so you may have a bit better luck there than your other options.

@dw1213

Question one…are these colleges affordable for your family? Some don’t give merit aid, and some don’t meet full need for all. Can your family pay the cost to attend a place like BU where the cost to attend is $70,000 a year…or so. And they don’t guarantee to meet full need for all accepted students!

Get your parent family budget.

What is your home state? Connecticut? If not, it’s not going to be a bargain.

Your 30 ACT score is not high enough to garner merit aid…and even acceptances at some of these colleges. I agree that looking at test optional schools is a good idea. Fairtest.org is where you can find that list. Your GPA is great, so work with your strength.

Since you are looking in New England, I would suggest Bates which is test optional.

Muhlenberg might be a good match for you.