Help me make a list of match/reach schools?

<p>I am a rising senior in Pennsylvania who is interested in studying either biology, biochemistry, or neuroscience. I've already selected a few safety schools, but now I'm having a little trouble creating a list of "match" and "reach" schools. My search is geographically limited to states from as far north as New Hampshire to as far south as Virginia. Attending a Midwest/South/West school isn't feasible for me. Also, cost of tuition is not a major concern.</p>

<p>Any feedback is much appreciated!</p>

<p>Stats:
White male
Rural public school (Sends 3 or 4 students to top schools every year)
UW GPA: 4.03 (A+ = 4.33)
W GPA: 4.57
Rank: Top 5% of ~310 (Highest distinction at my school)</p>

<p>SAT 1 = 2260
CR+M = 1510
203 PSAT (Qualifies for NM Commended)</p>

<p>US History Subject Test = 780
*I'm taking Bio and Math II in October. Expecting 750+ in each. </p>

<p>APs: Euro (5), US (5), Calc AB (5), Bio (4), Stats (4), Comp Sci (3)
*I'm taking 6 more AP classes this year.
*AP Scholar with Distinction</p>

<p>EC's:
Hospital Volunteering ~100 Hours
Varsity Quiz Bowl member
Chief Editor of school newspaper
Secretary of NHS
FBLA (Qualified for states in 2013)
VP of Model United Nations
Varsity Tennis
Member of a medical explorer's program at local hospital
I'm a summer research intern in engineering at a local university (I'll amass around 100 hours at the conclusion of the internship).
Presenting an independent research project about health at a local conference in October.
Worked at a local tutoring center for one summer.
*I will most likely shadow some physicians in the fall. </p>

<p>*Recommendation letters should be fine. I don't have any significant hooks. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I forgot to mention a pretty important EC: I volunteered in a politically unstable Middle Eastern country for 2 weeks. </p>

<p>JHU is great in biology/biomedical fields. Would be a reach for you, but it is for most applicants. Do you know what your GPA is on a 4.0 scale? (Where A- and A+ are both 4.0).</p>

<p>University of Rochester is another one you may want to consider - would likely be a match. It’s not as highly ranked, but has a more “intellectual” vibe if that’s something you’re looking for. They are great in the sciences.</p>

<p>What’s your financial situation look likee? (How much can your family pay ;/ yr )</p>

<p>My GPA on a 4.0 scale is around a 3.94. I like your username by the way!</p>

<p>Finances aren’t really an issue. I have researched both expensive private schools and affordable state schools. </p>

<p>A 3.94 is great, it won’t be the reason you get rejected anywhere.</p>

<p>

Reaches: Brown, UPenn, JHU, Tufts, UVA
Matches: Brandeis, URochester, BC</p>

<p>I can vouch for most of them, except Tufts doesn’t have a direct neuroscience major (it’s called cognitive and brain science which isn’t really the same). Tufts’s biology and research program are strong. Also Brown; Brown has a very strong program too, and I’ve heard good tings about JHU, and UPenn. UVA’s like a match-reach, not sure how strong.</p>

<p>Brandeis and URochester are strong in neuroscience and biology and research. BC isn’t as strong, I hear, but it’s still a good school.</p>

<p>Not to belabor the point – but when you say “finances aren’t really an issue”, do you mean your parents can afford full pay (which can be a quarter of a million dollars for four years at some schools being discussed here)? Are you sure they are willing to spend that kind of money (assuming they are able to)? Lucky for you if there are, but I wanted to ask because some students assume their parents can or will pay when that is not the case.</p>

<p>We cannot afford full pay. However, we have discussed financial matters together, and my parents are willing to spend their money to a certain extent. Loans and possible financial assistance (If I qualify) will be requested.</p>

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<p>Most parents are willing to pay to a certain extent. This means that finances ARE a concern in your search because you may find a school that you love, but cannot afford, even after you take out a loan-- which can be a burden in the long run. </p>

<p>What is your household income and what are your parents willing to spend in total per year? Have you ran any NPCs?</p>

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<p>Medical school is expensive, so you do not want to load yourself with undergraduate debt before going to medical school. Biology and chemistry majors do not have very highly paid job prospects at the bachelor’s level, so graduating with a lot of undergraduate debt in such a major is also not a good idea.</p>

<p>Within your geographic area, a [url=<a href=“http://www.howard.edu/financialaid/grants_scholarships.htm#Freshman]full”>http://www.howard.edu/financialaid/grants_scholarships.htm#Freshman]full</a> ride at Howard<a href=“which%20has%20a%20medical%20school%20and%20hospital,%20so%20perhaps%20more%20convenient%20pre-med%20ECs”>/url</a> is available for your stats. If you go there, will your parents contribute the money that would have contributed to your college to your medical school?</p>