I am a Senior to be in High School in Texas, and I need some advice on which colleges to look for.
Some things about me:
I retook the SAT and am (hopefully) going to get a score of 2000-2100/2400.
My planned major is Molecular Biology or Genetics. Something along those lines.
My GPA is a bit above 4.4.
I am a very active musician and take it very seriously. (1st chair Texas All State 5A Band in an instrument, Outstanding Soloist at TSSEC contest).
Money is not a problem in my college choices.
I am a white male.
I have no geological preferences of attendance.
I would MUCH prefer to be in a safer town/city.
I would prefer being in a more urbanized area with a smaller college with a low student to teacher ratio.
Most likely would rather be in a private university.
I would prefer not to live in a dorm, but honestly, I can make do if I must and it is really not a big deal.
I am not a “party animal” obviously, would prefer there be no Greek system in the college of my choice.
Here are my priorities in choices, summed up, in order of most important to least.
NEEDS a very distinguished Molecular Biology program. When I say “very distinguished”, I mean it.
Needs a good Music program so I may be offered scholarships to participate in the music program.
Music Program needs to be good enough so I feel like I am challenged while playing in a band/orchestra (better than high school level).
Private college setting in a safe town (generally crime-free) with no Greek system.
Low student to teacher ratio but more urbanized area (not too large though).
Would be nice to have a university that doesn't prioritize Affirmative Action policies in determining acceptance (because I am a white male :p). I want to be judged equally with others, not put down because of the fact that I am a white male.
Your credentials look excellent, but test results will determine a lot. Vanderbilt seems ideal for you,but they place a lot of importance on SAT/ACT scores, and yours would need to be over 2100 to be competitive. Tulane is in a high-crime city, of course, but its immediate neighborhood is lovely, residential, and affluent. Greek life is active at both those colleges, but not necessarily central. Tulane might have a stronger “party” element, simply by virtue of its location. Johns Hopkins also is located in the nicer part of a tough city. If you don’t do as well on the SATs, you might want to look at a top-notch test-optional college like Wesleyan. Brown is another possible reach for you, although your post(s) imply that Brown might not be a good overall fit. With good test scores, Rice or Tufts would also be good options. I can’t think of anywhere other than the HBCUs or women’s colleges where your race and gender will be a liability.
If money is not a problem at all, why do you need a music scholarship?
If you plan on being a science major, you might want to educate yourself on what geology is. If you plan on applying to college in general, you might want to gain a better understanding of what affirmative action is.
That said, assuming you do well on the SATs, look at Columbia, Tufts, Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, UCSD, and U Michigan.
Yale (music and MB are very strong) but would be ahuge reach based on your stats
A good match would be St Olaf, very strong sciences (opportunities to intern at the Mayo Clinic), and very strong in music. College town near Twin Cities, music scholarships, excellent teaching (I think top 5 in the country or something).