Deciding on a College

Applying to College
1

<p>I am a to-be junior in High School next year. I want to one day be a Neurosurgeon and have been looking towards the future. I want to attend a top university, with a good science department and pre-medical program. I hope this will in turn contribute to me getting into a top medical school. The colleges I have been looking at are:
Stanford University
Baylor University
Cornell University
Duke University
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Michigan State
Grand Valley State University
Albion College
University of Chicago
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Georgetown
John Hopkins University
Ohio State
Northwestern University</p>

<p>As you can see, I am having quite a bit of trouble slimming down my options. Hopefully you guys can help me with this. Here is a little about me:
I live in Michigan
GPA (Weighted): 3.99
Unweighted GPA: Approx 3.7-3.8
Accelerated/AP Classes:
AP US History ; Acc Geo ; Acc Alg 2 ; Acc English 10 ; Global Education
Future Classes: AP Bio , AP Chem , Acc English 11 , AP English 12 , Acc Analysis , AP Calculus , AP Gov
Sports: Varsity Soccer ( #1 in the State)
Extracurricular: Model United Nations, Study Groups, Snowboarding/Ski Club, Float building, Summer Medical Camp
Community Service: Special Olympics Soccer Officiating, Volunteering a hospitals, shadowing doctors
Jobs: 4 Years as Carrier for the Observer Newspaper, Best Buy Cashier/Salesman, Country Club Golf Caddy
Accomplishments: Created and maintained a large Group Buy for products for the Mazda RX8 on rx8club.com, Started an Ebay business and grew to an Ebay Store, Honors Society for school</p>

<p>By application time, I should be at over a 4.0 and maybe even a 4.1.. unweighted probably a 3.8-3.9. I am very driven and will do whatever it takes to make myself successful. If you need any more info let me know!</p>

<p>Thats about it.. let me know what you guys think and what universities you'd recommend/think I have a chance at!</p>

2

<p>You live in michigan. Go to ann arbor.</p>

3

<p>Ann arbor is certainly high on my list but I thought there may be better options.. any more opinions?</p>

4

<p>I'm just bitter because Ann Arbor is one of my dream schools but out of state acceptance rate + tuition costs is going to prevent me from being accepted, let alone attending.</p>

<p>What are your SAT scores?</p>

5

<p>Haven't taken them yet. That will be this year.</p>

6

<p>jdid9...You are in an incredible position. While you may be accepted to higher ranked schools on your list, you live in Michigan. A UM education is a steal if you are in state. As an out of state Wolverine, I can tell you that going to Michigan for under $17K is a bargain, much better than the cost v. education quality from any of the schools on your list.</p>

7

<p>I would add Virginia to the list. It's an excellent school overall, you could probably get in OOS even though it's pretty ridiculously hard, and it's bio/chem programs are excellent as well. Like most top schools it doesn't have an actual pre-med dept, but it had excellent advising for it. With a good GPA from UVA, it could land you in top medical schools that students from Duke, JHU, and other top-notch private pre-med schools.</p>