Help choosing a college.

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I've had a bit of trouble figuring out where I want to even look at, so I was hoping you guys could help. =)</p>

<p>First my stats are...
First in my class (about 250 kids).
800 CR, 730 math, and 770 writing on SATs, though the 730 math was unexpected (since I got 800 on PSAT and 800 on that collegeboard practice test) so when I retake them I'm assuming I'll get 760 or higher.
780 biology and 770 chem SATs, will take Math II in fall, and based on how my friends did I'm shooting for an 800.
I'm in various clubs at my high school, though no sports, unless math team (2007-2008 captain) or marching band (2 years, it's my only music) are counted.
Going how I am, I'll probably have around 70 hours of community service.</p>

<p>I think I want to major in a physical science, probably physics, though maybe neuroscience, and being an engineer is still an idea, though unlikely.</p>

<p>I'm looking to go to a school that...
Is in the northeast or midatlantic
Actually has research opportunities for undergrads
Has very good science, but isn't entirely engineers, and has decent other programs (I might minor in philosophy)
Will give me a decent amount of money in scholarship. Doesn't have to be full, but $15-20 thousand or something would be nice.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>Colgate and Middlebury seem to fit your general criteria (strong science + research opportunities), although I'm not sure that they offer an engineering major.</p>

3

<p>Swarthmore.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the ideas, but how much scholarship money do Colgate and Middlebury actually give? I'm pretty much average middle class, one brother going to a state college, and parents divorced with father (whom I live with) remarried.</p>

5

<p>You shoud have your Dad get an estimated EFC at one of the online websites. You may qualify for financial aid, which all top colleges offer, as opposed to scholarship $$ which is much harder to come by.
Also, research the posts at the top of the Financial Aid forum on CC. They have names of colleges that offer scholarship $$
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

6

<p>Case-Western Reserve, Carnegie-Mellon, Johns Hopkins, Brandeis or Rochester should fit the bill.</p>