I am undecided on where to apply to. Help?

College Search & Selection
1

Background:

  • Cost-wise: I am thankful that I will probably not need any need-based financial aid at any college.
  • Intended major: Biology, and definitely going the pre-med route.
  • Preferences: Type of school - Here's where I'm a little iffy. I don't know if I want a big research university or small LAC. Having read about the pros and cons of both, I am even more undecided now. Geography- Not much preference. Political scene- Liberal. I do not want to go to a party school.

My stats: 3.9 UW, >4 for W. 32 ACT.

  • What I'm looking for: *A school with a good biology program, availability of internships *A school where intellectual conversations happen even outside of class **Urban setting (though I'll also settle for suburban)

Thank you so much!

2

If you are a high school senior, it is rather late to be starting to make your list.

Start your list with a safety that you know you will be admitted to and know that you can afford.

Have you considered the cost of medical school and whether choosing a less expensive undergraduate school would help you have less debt after medical school?

3

@ucbalumnus

I have applied to one safety and have been accepted.

Yes, that is part of the reason I am so conflicted about which schools to apply to. I think private colleges are more willing to offer merit scholarships, but I don’t know for sure…

4

If you are looking for big merit scholarships, here are some lists:

http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/ (safety candidates)
http://competitivefulltuition.yolasite.com/ (match/reach candidates)
http://nmfscholarships.yolasite.com/ (if National Merit)

Have you tried net price calculators at various colleges’ web sites to estimate need-based financial aid?

5

Holy Cross and Tufts both have great pre-med programs.

6

Thank you for the list of scholarships, I will check the links out :slight_smile:

Nope. I don’t think I qualify for need-based financial aid/would likely get $0 (I’ve checked with a FASFA net price calculator).

7

You might like either CWRU or the University of Rochester. You can screen the following list for other schools that might match your criteria: “The Experts’ Choice: Colleges with Great Pre-med Programs” (available online). (Note, however, that colleges not included may be equally good for pre-med. Future doctors originate from hundreds of schools.)