<p>I am a freshman, and I currently go to Adelphi University in Garden City, Long Island. I know the school has somewhat of a bad reputation, but it seemed like a very good fit for me. I had several other interests other than chemistry, and was enticed by the welcoming faculty of their honors college and cheap cultural events. Coming out of high school (one of the better ones in brroklyn) I had a mid 98 weighted average about (96 unweighted) taking the hardest classes I could (7 aps, honor everything else, 1 teacher that hated me and lowered my average by a few points, and 3 teachers that thought it was an honor to give a 94.) I was told not to bother applying to ivies because I "only" got a 1910.
I have already begun doing research on Dye Sensitized Solar Cells, and will be for the next three years. This summer, I will be continuing that project at Brookhaven National Lab, in Upton New York, an internship we hope we can get again next summer. I have already taken Organic Chemistry and breezed through it, getting an A (ap credits got me out of Gen Chem, which I got a 5 on.) I am afraid that even if I keep my gpa up ( I am pulling a 3.92) and do well on the GRE, I will still be passed up based on the school I go to. I would very much like to go to a top ranked program (preferably in the top 15.) I was curious if anyone else was in a similar situation and could lend any advice.</p>