<p>I'm about to enter my junior year of high school, and so far my top choices for college include Brown, Georgetown, UCLA, and Yale. I hope to pursue some kind of biology degree with my main focus being on genetics, and then possibly (probably) medical school. Or maybe an International Public Health major which they offer at Georgetown. Anyways, here are my Freshman/sophomore standings:</p>
<p>Fresh: 4.0 both semesters.</p>
<p>Soph: weighted-4.33/4.23
AP Calc: B+/B+
Honors English: A/A-
Choir: A/A
AP Euro History: A-/A-
Honors Chemistry: A/A
Spanish 3: A/A-</p>
<p>I haven't taken my SAT or ACT yet.</p>
<p>The question I have is this...back up schools...which and why? I have a shot at making it into my first choices but i'm definitely not a shoe-in. So I need some good second tier advice.</p>
<p>My suggestion is to come back in a year. A lot can change in a year, and suggestions are useless without test scores.</p>
<p>I will suggest Emory, though not as a safety. For those interested in medicine and public health, the neighboring CDC is an invaluable resource.</p>
<p>In my opinion, planning ahead is a good idea. University of Chicago, Rice, Johns Hopkins, and Vanderbilt are definitely worth looking at. Slightly less competitive alternatives could be Boston University, George Washington University, Brandeis, and Boston College. Be sure that you can afford these schools or obtain a lot of financial aid, though. If money is a concern, you really need to make that priority one rather than school reputation and prestige.</p>
<p>Visit some colleges now, before the deadlines come. See a mix of rural, urban, suburban, larges, small, giant, traditional, progressive, local, regional, national, private, public, etc.</p>
<p>In other words, relax and play for a while in the colleges sandbox and see what type of college excites you. On a parallel track, you’ll be getting ready to, then will take your SATs. After those scores come in those two tracks will come together, abnd you’ll build your list of safeties, reaches, and fits (Love Thy Safeties.)</p>
<p>Since you have the time, use the college search process to learn more about yourself; the specific schools will come, based upon your greater understanding of what you want from a college.</p>