<p>I am a Full IB candidate, ranked 42/1165 at a public school, have an unweighted GPA of 3.9 or 3.8ish (sorry I forgot the number, and do not yet have the official transcript), took part in the usual extra-curriculars...</p>
<p>Anyhow, I want to major in either Biology, Biochemistry, or Chemistry with a second major in French. This is my list of ideal schools. I want schools that are strong academically, particularly in my desired majors (yes I know MIT does not have French) and of course, have a high percentage of accepted applicants to medical school. </p>
<p>The List: </p>
<p>MIT
Rice
Cornell
Austin College
New College of Florida
Southwestern University
Trinity University
University of Tulsa
University of Florida
University of Texas at Austin</p>
<p>Thank you acartau7 and ninja.of.love. However my question remains...would these schools not fit my criteria? I am going to make campus visits later this fall, but I would like to know if there are any I should skip....</p>
<p>Your list, I think, is very well balanced between matches, safeties, and reaches. From your list, it looks like you're leaning toward smaller schools (Rice, Tulsa, NCF). Most folks would say that your undergraduate gpa and mcat scores are the most important factors in med school admission. </p>
<p>I wish I knew more about med school admissions but I think you could do very well at any of those colleges. The most I can say is that the Wall Street Journal ranked NCF #2 and UT-Austin #10 in their list of state feeder schools to elite graduate schools.</p>
<p>Ah, thank you...So despite the lack of grades at NCF...their students are still accepted to graduate school without major problems? That was my one small fear of mine....</p>
<p>That's what I've read and it's been echoed by several professors (one organic chem, one French history [WFU and Duke]) who regard the school highly.</p>
<p>embroglio, what are your SAT's/ACT's? If they are good you should consider WashU in St. Louis. Its med school is ranked 4th in the country and it has a very strong pre-med program.</p>
<p>Any school where you'll be happy and do well is a good school for PM. </p>
<p>But like ninja said, if you're leaning towards smaller schools, it might be a good idea to add another small safety, such as Eckerd. That way, if for some reason you do end up having to fall back on a safety, you'll have a variety to choose from.</p>
<p>Embroglio:
if your from Florida I suggest you definately visit the top schools in that state. UF and UM and mayby FSU (as a safety option).These schools will give u financial aid money for being In State and count towards ur bright futures.</p>
<p>Schools i reccommend u visit aside from the 3 Fl schools:
- Johns Hopkins
- UT Austin
- Cornell
- MIT
- RICE</p>
<p>School u should not visit:
- Trinity
- Tulsa
- Austin College
- Southwestern
- new College</p>
<p>Im guessing these are ur safeties:
1. u have way to many
2. ur prolly going to get into at least one school. Especially 1 from either of the 3 bigger fl schools (UF, UM, FSU). so why have so many safeties?
3. you shouldnt waste money visiting fall back schools. Waste the money on visitin as many of ur match/reach schools which u have a solid chance of getting into several of them. its easy to pick between a safety and a match but very difficult to select a school between a match and another match or a reach with a reach.. thats why visit ur reaches and matches so u can then categorically place them in a level of interest.</p>
<p>nervous1: my SAT is a 2030...I'm going to test a second time. is that bad to test again? I know it is low for where I am looking. However I did forget my calculator so I can hope that my math goes up 100... The only thing about WashU is my dad told me the neighborhood isn't so great...and Missouri isn't my favorite place, even as it is beautiful.</p>
<p>worldchanger: I am from Texas, so with the top ten percent deal, I should be able to go to UT Austin without a problem. My safety school close to home!</p>
<p>acarta07: Well as I told worldchanger I am from Texas. So the Florida schools, my dad was thinking, would be more difficult to get into, which is why I added more safetys. It is just tough for me to pick schools that are so far from home.</p>
<p>Categorical List: </p>
<p>Reach
MIT
Cornell
Rice</p>
<p>Match
Austin College
New College of Florida
Southwestern University
Trinity University
University of Florida?</p>
<p>Safety:
University of Tulsa
University of Florida?
University of Texas at Austin</p>
<p>Do you guys think I have a chance at JHU? And is Cornell that fantastic for biology, biochemistry or chemistry? No one seems to think so. All have said that I should go to MIT for physics, not biology...is that true?</p>
<p>If I were you, I'd go to either UT or UF. Why? Because, sure going to MIT and Rice would be fun to brag about to your friends, but MIT in particular is an ultra-competitive school with major grade deflation, which does not bode well for med school admission (cornell is another one of those, rice is better, but still ultra-competitive I'm sure. If you're going to apply to ivies, apply to everyone besides cornell IMO if you're going pre-med). Besides the competition, med school is going to be expensive, so you might as well save as much as you can by going to a state school than going all out and dealing with tons of debt after med school. Third, you're lucky you have UT instate. I have a really crappy state school (University of Oregon), and so you'll get an awesome education (perhaps rumored to be better than rice) at a bargain price, along with amazing athletics :D But seriously, I'd consider a combination of these two above anything else and go from there:</p>
<p>a. cheapest
b. place where you're more likely to be at the top</p>
<p>california_love8: Yes, that is entirely true, which partly disuades my desire to go to the more competitive schools...however I suppose the cut-throat atmosphere at my high school has become comfortable to me and I am no longer afraid. But yes, UT is very nice. Just large.</p>
<p>yeah but still, high school is nothing compared to college. I'm in full IB as well and surrounded by a group of smart kids, and trying to out-do them (not to the extreme level where I don't help, but just challenging myself internally to stay on par with or do better than them) has definately helped me work hard, but you can't say that because I'm valedictorian at X high, I'm going to be top at harvard. Unless you go to one of those extreme prep schools where they send half of their class to harvard or something, you have to realize that college, especially at that selective of a level, is much harder than high school. In high school, there are a bunch of stoners, dropouts, average joes, etc. (and I go to one of the better high schools as well), but you won't find those at MIT. And your SAT score, which is very good btw, is in all seriousness average or below average even at those super competitive schools. SAT IMO is the best indicator of where you stand nationally because it is the only uniform form of comparison. Peoples' schools are different in terms of rigor, etc., but the SAT is a constant, so look at schools' SAT ranges and see where you fall is what I would do. If you're in the top 75% or above, I'd say go for it. If you're average, but your GPA or something is higher, then still consider it if it won't be too expensive.</p>
<p>I'm not saying to be like me and have no self esteem whatsoever, but don't think that just because you do well in high school that you're set to be tops at those colleges. True that if you're accepted, you should be able to handle the courseload, but seriously, IT IS a whole new ball game, and thats really something you should consider. Besides, why go through the harder path when you can take the easier route, save a lot of money, and reach the same end anyways?</p>
<p>Aww don't have no self esteem! That would be bad. You survived IB so far right? So that says something! And yes, I know that college is going to completely kick me in the butt. I'm ready for it. But I want the best schooling so I can be the best doctor I can be, and really do something for people. That's all...</p>
<p>And yes...my SAT score is bleh...so off to October testing!</p>
<p>But enough about my misconceptions....although I REALLY do appreciate all your help! </p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about my match and safety schools as pre-med or biology/biochemistry/chemistry majors?</p>
<p>embroglio, just for the record, WashU is in a beautiful, upscale suburb of St. Louis. The school is beautiful and the neighborhood is as well. Your Dad is probably thinking of East St. Louis which is a bit of a distance from the school and admittedly not a great part of town.</p>
<p>:O Okay I didnt know ur from texas.. ok in that case why dont u take off the safety schools in Florida?</p>
<p>Texas has some really good schools in which are prolly safeties for u:
- SMU
- TCU
- Trinity (ur already considering)</p>
<p>In Florida: atleast for medecine the only two standout programs are UF and UM. FSU and FIU have up and coming med programs.. FIU could be a safety for u. </p>
<p>Being OOS in Florida will negatively affect u in UF where they are not to welcoming to Out of Staters. Similar to how UT austin is tough for OOS'ers.
UM though is private and does give equal consideration to OOS'ers. UM will prolly because of that be easier for u to get in.</p>
<p>Id reccommend pick lil schools in florida. Keep the ones u have up north (MIT, John Hopkins etc...) and Load up on Texas schools: UT (best bet), Texas A&M, TCU, SMU...</p>