I’m going to be a junior this year (well, in two days). Everyone always talks about getting a good fit-but how do I figure this out? For example, I like the University of Michigan. I’ve visited the school, spoken to some professors and students, and I like it. But how do I know it’s a good fit and that it’s strong in the programs I like? Do I look at rankings?
I’m going to be in the Pre-Med program, and I hope to major in Biology (depending on the school, maybe Microbiology or Human Biology) and possibly minor in Creative Writing. It is important for me that a school has research opportunities, but I don’t mind not being the best student in the school. My GPA is currently a 3.995 UW (Freshman year was bad according to CC standards), and I haven’t taken SAT/ACT yet but my practice test composite scores for the ACT range from 33-35 and my practice test scores for SAT are in the low 1400s.
Agree that the Fiske book is good, also the Princeton Guide. Each will list the best 380 or 400 or so best colleges. (These top colleges are where someone with your stats should aim for). A great on-line source is niche.com, which has a a lot info by students, and not all of it positive.
If you are interested in research as an undergrad, you might consider going to a smaller school, a liberal arts college or LAC. Since they have few or no grad students, undergrads can often do research with the profs, especially in the sciences. LACs are excellent in preparing students for med school and other grad schools. If you get ACT and SAT as predicted, you’ll be in great shape for a selective college.
Big question: how much can your folks pay for college? All of it, some of it, little of it? That will impact where you go.
I’d use some time this year in high school to visit some other colleges, as it’s one of best ways to get a feel for fit. Or go to college fairs. For far away colleges, you can go to their website and communicate with the admissions rep for your area.
Are you in Michigan? UMich is a great school, with kids all over the US wanting to go there. Like kids at my D’s private school in NC.
@PetulaClark Thank you! I’m considering some Ivies/selective schools, but I know little to nothing about them OTHER than the fact that they’re selective. I am in that annoying “upper middle class” bracket where I get little financial aid but I can’t actually afford college, but for some of the schools I’m thinking of give enough financial aid for them to be able to afford it.
What type of questions should I ask the admissions rep? I feel as though there is a lot of information online, but none of it tells me the FEEL of the school or how my classmates are going to be like.
And yes, I am in Michigan. Does being in-state lower or raise my chances of acceptance?
You should work with your parents to run the net price calculator on each college website to see what kind of aid you might get. Just because a college meets need does not mean that you will get money to attend. If you need merit aid, that will likely change your college list; generally merit aid goes to students near the top of the admitted class.
As mentioned above, get a copy of the Fiske Guide to Colleges. And I agree that LACs may give you more research opportunities than large colleges, since there are no grad students there. Also, consider carefully whether a bio major is your best choice. There are few jobs for bio majors with just undergraduate degrees if you don’t get into med school. You can major in anything and apply to med school as long as you take the med school pre-reqs and do well in them.
@intparent Thank you! I will make sure to check out the net price calculator. What would you suggest that’s science related to major in AND get a job (if I don’t get into medical school)?
I also suggest you be a bit skeptical of websites that tell you the “Ten Best Schools for Studying X.” They tend to be very anecdotal and incomplete. I have seen lists called something like “The Top Schools for Aspiring Writers” that didn’t include obvious choices like Yale, Amherst or Hamilton, all of which are top tier for writing and are feeders for PhD programs in English.
I agree with @ThankYouforHelp with respect to the limitations of articles and lists (particularly with regard to arbitrary and improper exclusions). I’ll note, however, that even the commonly recommended Fiske tends to be subjective and somewhat arbitrary in both the colleges it includes and the stars it awards to each.
@cliffnotes : In your case, much of your selection process may be within the realm of “most selective” and “more selective” colleges. This, by itself, will be a narrowing attribute for you. You have stated you like UM. That’s a key feature you should seek in any school, and one that should be weighted heavily. Regarding online lists and articles, I’d suggest you use them much as you would personal recommendations, as a way to add schools for further research and, possibly, visits.