<p>hey guys, i'm looking for lesser known LACs where i will be at the top of the applicant pool and will qualify for merit aid. i'm interested in LAcs that have good biology/chemistry/pre-med majors. i have read the top threads, but am still confused. please help me as any suggestions are appreciated. </p>
<p>SAT I : 2220 - 780 M, 720 V, 720 W (10 essay)
ACT: not taken yet (prolly around 33)
SAT II : Chem- 800, Math II- 800, US History- 760, Physics- 720, Bio- 700
GPA: 97.6 UW
classes: hardest that can possibly be taken (4 APs including this year (got a 5 on one last year), 8 after next year)
Rank: around top 5-10 of 450 UW
ECs:
varsity tennis 9-12 (captain next year)
basketball 9-10
lacrosse 9-12 (11 varsity)
mock trial 11
key club 9-12 (editor next year)
natural helpers 9-12 (like key club)
spanish club 9-12 (10- treasurer)
masterminds 11-12
math league 11-12
international club 10-12
USTA Team tennis 9-12 (13th at nationals this year)
volunteer at hospital (around 200 hours at time of application)
research this summer at local college in pharmaceutical sciences (around 200+ hours)</p>
<p>location: suburban NY
ethnicity: asian american
gender: female</p>
<p>I would like to suggest Colorado College -- I am biased because I live a block from the campus and I am very impressed with the campus, students and activities.</p>
<p>I think you would not only be at the top of the pile with you stats, but the geographic and ethnic diversity you would bring could be a real tip.</p>
<p>Colorado Springs is beautiful -- the campus is a few blocks north of the downtown, a small but busy area with dining, shopping, parks and activities.</p>
<p>I think you would enjoy the atmosphere, the challenge, the students and more. it really is a great school -- the faculty is top-notch and students regularly get into top grad schools.</p>
<p>In general, you can look at any LAC below the top 20 in the US News rankings. Most offer very good merit aid packages.</p>
<p>For example, check Southwestern University - they offer automatic scholarships for certain statistics. Since you are in the top 5% of your class, you could be considered for a Brown Scholarship (full ride).</p>
<p>What greennblue said about Colorado College is correct -- they have a block system where students only take one class at a time (they have special maintenance classes for languages).</p>
<p>The block system is unique -- and the kids here love it. They only take one class for 3 1/2 weeks, which means that the professor can be very flexible and schedule field trips and outings that match up with the class -- trip to Mexico for hispanic culture, days in the mountains for geology or a day in denver for a religion course.</p>
<p>first of all, thanks for all the responses. i will definitly look into colorado college, but i was more intesrested in colleges along the Altlantic coast (from NC to Maine). </p>
<p>i guess i now have a new question. for the LACs out of the top 20, which ones have good science programs for chem/bio/pre-med. thanks again.</p>
<p>You might get better aid if you look outside of that busy and competitive NE corridor. </p>
<p>If you're willing, look in Ohio. Lots of really great LACs there, and generally more money available. I'd recommend Denison for the overall best of everything (money, location, campus and academics), but also consider Wooster, Kenyon (less money there), and Ohio Weslyan. The Ohio publics, specifically Miami U and Ohio U-Athens also give very excellent money and are fine schools with very attractive campuses and fun college towns. (With those SAT scores you could go to OU Very cheaply.)</p>