<p>My plan is to major in physics (and probobly some chemistry studies) and later continue on to grad school. My top choice is Uchicago, but I am at a loss for other schools to apply to.</p>
<p>What I want is a highly ranked university with strong science and a decent research program. The thing I love about chicago however, is its strong focus on overall education, but I can force myself to take good classes anywhere.</p>
<p>Stats:
Suburban Minnesotan High school
IB program (non diploma, but I will be going for certificates and APs)
GPA: 3.8 Unweighted
Rank: top 10%
SAT M:710 V:690
ACT: 33
No SATII's (too late now)</p>
<p>National Merit Commended</p>
<p>Orchestra (leadership positions all 4 years)
Technical theater
National Honor Society</p>
<p>Part time job in a bakery as well as being an Event Tech for the school district.
Various other small activities.</p>
<p>I'm not fixed on any particular geographic region. Schools must still be accepting applications and not require SAT II. Prestige is always nice, but if it's the right school for me, then its the right school for me.</p>
<p>Check out some liberal arts colleges with strong science programs. They do not have graduate research departments, but large amounts of research still takes place. That the research is all completed by undergraduates is only advantageous to you, as an undergrad. Williams, Swarthmore, and Carleton all have top programs.</p>
<p>Financial aid would be nice but is not an absolute priority and would depend on the tuition price (Uchicago for example I would choose to attend no matter what kind of financial aid I can get).</p>
<p>I'll look into those suggestions, but part of me wants to go to a "national university" as us news would describe it. I like the idea of having people there who are also going for masters or doctorates.</p>
<p>I am probobly applying to (in addition to chicago which I did EA) Washington University St. Louis, Mcgill, Northwestern, UofMN:Twin Cities, UW Madison (no problem with the better state schools, they can do well in the research sciences)</p>
<p>I just want some better options that fit my credentials and requirements (and I guess financial aid would be great)</p>
<p>"...part of me wants to go to a "national university" as us news would describe it. I like the idea of having people there who are also going for masters or doctorates..."</p>
<p>You are misinformed about the LAC's suggested. The top LAC's including Reed, have a greater percentage of alumni who go on to grad school than the national uni's.</p>
<p>Do your homework, these stats are widely published.</p>
<p>You might want to check out Wesleyan University. I go here, and though it's a liberal arts college, I'm shocked at how much we have to offer science students just in terms of undergrad research and undergrad publishing.</p>
<p>"You are misinformed about the LAC's suggested. The top LAC's including Reed, have a greater percentage of alumni who go on to grad school than the national uni's."</p>
<p>What I meant was current grad students, not future. UChicago has great undergrad, but they have more students looking for a masters or doctorate than they have undergrads.</p>
<p>You also might want to look at University of Rochester. They are well ranked, strong in science and offer research opportunities for freshman. Also, if you are interested in continuing with your musical instrument, you could take lessons at Eastman.</p>