<p>Just fine tuning the list of places I'm interested in applying to, and I'm wondering how balanced I am in terms of reaches/probables etc. I don't want to waste my time and money applying to too many schools that I'm unlikely to get into (didn't even bother with Ivies), but I also don't want to sell myself short. So basically how balanced is my list?</p>
<p>First my stats for reference:
SAT superscore-2210 (CR-780 R-740 M-690) ACT-33 GPA-4.0W 3 APs so far with 4 more coming down the pipeline next year. I've got a fair amount of volunteering and a couple of clubs for ECs but nothing that would make my application. I live in MA. Would like to do a premed probably with biochemistry as a major.</p>
<p>So far I'm looking at:</p>
<p>Northeastern
William & Mary
Umass Amherst
Stony Brook
Uconn
UNC Chapel Hill
Tufts
Vanderbilt
Juniata
JHU
Colgate
Villanova</p>
<p>I might trim or add to the list as it gets closer to application time. So in your opinion, am I reaching too far, not far enough, or do you think I have a good mix? I know it can be tough to judge but I'd just like to know if I'm in the right ballpark. Also, if you think of a place you think might fit in, I'd be happy to hear it. Thanks.</p>
<p>I’m looking for it but it’s not a final decider. If I got accepted into a really top school without merit aid I would still consider going. I’d like to apply to some that I would have a chance at getting scholarships with though, obviously my parents and I would prefer not to have the strain of a 50k/yr bill unless we felt it was really going to be worthwhile.</p>
<p>I would say that you have a pretty good mix. Though, I do think you are selling yourself short by applying to Stony Brook. I know someone who has a 2.5 gpa and around a 1600 on SATs and got accepted to go to Stony Brook. Have you looked at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, Penn State, University of Virginia, or The George Washington University (in D.C.)?</p>
<p>Yeah, I think Stony Brook would be a safety but they seem to have a strong science program so perhaps it’s one of those schools that is easy to get into but still offers a decent education. I haven’t researched it too much yet or visited the place so I’ll keep it on the table for now.</p>
<p>Thanks for the recommendations on other schools as well; Penn st I’m not really interested in, but I haven’t looked much at the other ones so I’ll do some research. I know GWU is very expensive but I’ve also heard they’re pretty liberal with merit scholarships.</p>
<p>I think you’d get merit money at a number of schools. Remember, med school is very, very expensive – if you can do undergrad for less – that’s a plus. Any of these schools could give you strong preparation, but JHU is incredibly competitive for premed. </p>
<p>Not quite sure how Northeastern and Juniata come into play. Northeastern isn’t especially strong in biochem, is it?</p>
<p>If you’re 100% sure you want to do pre-med, go where school will be he cheapest. You’re already going to be minimum $240k in debt from med school if that is the path you decide to take.</p>
<p>If you’re pre-med, then go to a good school that will cost you the least. med school is very expensive.</p>
<p>How much are your parents COMFORTABLE paying without a big strain?</p>
<p>(I hate it when people consider choosing a school that would be a 'big financial strain". That is a recipe for disaster. Families can’t go 4 years without a bunch of unexpected major expenses popping up. Unexpected large expenses are going to come up every few months.)</p>
<p>By strain I don’t mean financial danger. I just mean that we’d have to be very frugal and cut down on spending. We wouldn’t be living on the edge or anything, far from it. Although even so, It’d probably make life more stressful. As I’ve said before, my parents have been open to paying a little more if I was accepted into a better school, but realistically I’ll probably go to the cheapest possible school that can still get me a quality education. After all, hard work and good grades are hard work and good grades no matter where you go.</p>
<p>@arabrab I know several people who go to NU for Biology and Biochem and they have nothing but good things to say about it. They also seem to have a lot of great opportunities available around the city with hospital and other universities to do research/work experience. I really liked it when I went there, and would definitely consider going especially if they gave me some money off. </p>
<p>And I’m fairly certain I wouldn’t get into JHU, but I really liked the place and obviously they have an incredible science and medical program. Given how much I liked it, I feel it’d be a shame not to at least try.</p>
<p>JHU would be a low reach for you but you should defintely apply. At Northeastern you would likely get a good merit scholarship in the $20,000/year range.</p>