<p>Your parents probably make too much money to get you any need-based aid anywhere. If you’re asking schools for FA, then you need to plan on merit aid. If you’re not applying FA and you’ll be full pay, money shouldn’t enter into the search and you’ll possibly have a leg up on other applicants. So you need to ask your parents for their commitment to a firm amount each year and direct your search accordingly.</p>
<p>First Question: There is no major in organic chemistry of which I am aware. Your assurance that a PhD in OC or another science will get you a good salary for the rest of your life could be mistaken, especially if you enter industry rather than the academic track (where salaries will be a bit lower than industry’s). If Microsoft can lay off 16% of its workforce, everyone in industry ought to have an up-to-date resumé prepared tonight. OC jobs in the US are becoming more contractor-based. I know of an OC with 25 years of experience who was asked to work the midnight shift on the shop floor. Don’t rely on my anecdote: do some research into the changes in the industries that scientists work for.</p>
<p>Second Question: I don’t think so and I cannot think why a science degree would preclude you from an advanced engineering degree. Check the prerequisites graduate engineering programs desire.</p>
<p>Third Question: No, high school is not a preparatory school for any career.</p>
<p>Fourth Question: Lose or raise the SAT. The ACT is the stat you want. The GPA is low for the best colleges and unis but it doesn’t by itself exclude you necessarily. The ECs are fine but not stellar. I’d suggest that whatever you major in, you toss in a couple ivies/near ivies if you feel the need; your better chances are in sub-near ivy territory: that could be (I’ll name some schools I know, okay?): UMD-CP Honors, UPitt Honors, Tulane Honors, Lafayette, Rochester, RPI, Lehigh, Bucknell, Ohio State Honors, Penn State Honors, Case Western. Academic safeties: Colorado, RIT, UAlabama Honors, Arizona State Honors. If your parents agree to the whole enchilada, you reach for the sub-ivies: UMich, UCLA, UCB, Vandy, WashU.</p>
<p>Fifth Question: If you’re intent on med school rather than industry, choose a school with no grade deflation, major in whatever you want, but get a high GPA and take the med school req’d courses. Engineering is never a first choice for an easy path to a high GPA, and you don’t seem today so committed to engg that you’re very likely to score a 3.5+. Can you get a 3.5 in a field that doesn’t hold any interest for you? will you want to work in that field for the rest of your life (or until you can re-apply to med school successfully)?</p>
<p>Sixth Question: I cannot tell.</p>