<p>I think my situation is like that of many here.
I have good test scores, GPA, and extracurriculars, but am not exceptionally hooked.
Like many others, I will apply to some Ivies and similarly top-tier schools.</p>
<p>However, I am realistic, and know that no matter how you look on paper, to some extent Ivies and other top schools can act more like a lottery than anything else.</p>
<p>SO. My question is, what would be some good lower "match" or "safety" schools (East Coast, please) that I will still get a stellar education at?</p>
<p>Overview of me, though if you think you need more info, i can give it to you:
SAT: 2180 (700w, 730m, 750cr)
ACT: 36 C (36s, 36r, 35w, 35m, 10e)
bunch of APs
at least 3.9 GPA
ranked 1 or 2 in class of about 150</p>
<p>I'm mostly trying to expand my scope of schools.
Thanks!</p>
<p>You might want to check out NYU (if you haven’t already). They have a pretty good pre-med program, and with your stats, I am sure you will get in.
Other schools you might want to consider include Binghamton University, maybe a SUNY school (Stony Brook, for your safety).</p>
<p>Try looking at some of the state flagship universities. Many of them have great honors programs that mostly admit based on numbers so you’d be basically guaranteed a spot. Plus in a lot of cases, the honors program is on a similar level to top tier schools even though the main school may be much lower.</p>
<p>It’s hard to get very specific with what you’ve told us: basically, your GPA, rank and ACT are as high as they can possibly be, you think you want to go to medical school. and finances are an issue for your family.</p>
<p>Some excellent research universities that give significant merit aid: Vanderbilt, Emory, WUStL.</p>
<p>Don’t Bowdoin/Bates/Colby do some Maine-specific recruiting and financial aid?
Some excelllent midwestern and southern LACs are a bit easier to get into and to get good financial aid from - maybe Grinnell, Carleton, Oberlin, Dennison, Kenyon, Rhodes, Centre. <–there’s a range of selectivity in that list. </p>
<p>If you want to stick to East Coast, you might look at LACs like Trinity, Muhlenberg, Conn. College; universities such as Clark, Brandeis, Syracuse, Univ. of Rochester. Possibility of merit aid at most (?all?) of these.</p>
<p>Thank you very much memake!
That’s very helpful; most of what I’m trying to do is compile a list of colleges. (Not that big on staying in-state though, although I’ve taken a bit of a liking to Bates)</p>
<p>@Redroses: both need-based and merit aid would be good.</p>
<p>You might want to look into the HPME program at Northwestern that can get you admitted into their med school straight out of high school. It’s not on the east coast but it’s in chicago and with your scores you would have a chance (although it’s kind of a reach for everyone, but a great deal if you get in).</p>
<p>Many schools that would be appropriate, such as Bates, are need aid only. Have you run the numbers to see if you can afford these schools?</p>
<p>If you can pay your EFC and focus on need based schools, you’ll end up attending a better school. Few top schools offer merit aid and the whole premise of merit aid is that colleges use it to attract the caliber of student who otherwise would not come.</p>
<p>JHU I think is an obvious suggestion based on your proposed major/career path. The valedictorian at my school last year is currently at JHU as a biology major and says that he loves it, but it is extremely academically rigorous.</p>
<p>Following up on ironicallyunsure’s comment, if you are willing to expand your search from the east coast, Tulane awards what they call the Dean’s Honors Scholarship. It is a competition where they award 75-100 each year, and it guarantees full tuition. With your stats (and btw, I would only be sending your ACT to these schools since you aced it, essentially. Your SAT is good, but your ACT almost cannot be beat) you have a very very good shot at it, although there is a bit more to it than stats. If it piques your interest at all, feel free to PM me for more info.</p>