Northeastern College Suggestions 2170 SAT.. Need to get a concrete list!

College Search & Selection
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Hi there! I’m a rising senior at a small private high school in Eastern Maryland. With applications approaching, I’m still floundering on schools that I am interested in, because I’m still really figuring out what I what. Here are my Stats:
SAT- 2170 superscored, 730 math and writing, 710 english
GPA: 3.85 ish
school doesn’t rank but top 10-15 is percent?
SAT2’s- 620 math2, 580 bio but retaking both and STUDYING!

I’ve played two varsity sports throughout entire high school career, volunteered at local hospital for 50 hours for 2 summers, head lifeguard at local pool after 3 years, played piano for 11 years and preformed at small venues locally, and edit the school newspaper.

When people ask me what I want to do, I say biomedical engineering. But this isn’t definite, I’m just thinking that I could have that 4 year degree or continue on to med school. Biology, Engineering, and Finance/economics stuff all sparks my interest, especially because enjoy math.

I’m looking for a medium sized school(just not huge or tiny … anything in between) in the Northeast, like PA, NY, MA especially… kinda Delaware and NJ… . I want a school thats outside of a new england city really… My current list includes University of Delaware (I’m in state), Villanova(really liked), John Hopkins (as my reach, I know I know) Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute(possibly, liked the school but Troy NY is pretty isolated and kids were pretty techy) I’d be awesome if they were close to Philly, NYC, or Boston.

I’m not really a partier, not into gaming or anything extreme. My parents are prepared to pay some, but like Villanova for example I loved but don’t like the idea of being among snobby overprivileged peers… They swing between wanting me to apply to expensive Ivies and then the next day saying small no name schools to save money for grad school.

As you can probably tell, I’m a little confused and just want to end up somewhere that I can grow into a successful and happy adult. I posted this earlier but had no replies… so any college recommendations would be hugely appreciated!!

If I can clear up anything let me know, this post is definitely a ramble! Thanks!

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Screams Rochester.
Maybe Lehigh too.

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@ClassicRockerDad I know a little about Rochester… in the city, has those stem majors, not a super competitive admission rate… sounds nice but why does it stand out so much to you?

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It seems I’m recommending the school frequently recently, but, in terms of the criteria you’ve offered, the University of Rochester fits really well. UR is less techy than RPI, more of a complete research university than Villanova, and you may qualify for merit aid there.

You really only need 6-8 schools of interest, so you are getting close.

(Johns Hopkins.)

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What kind of city is Rochester though? I was hoping to be near a rather large one like Boston or Philly just for the lifestyle and opportunities, but is it similar to like Pittsburgh? I just never hear much about it. I’ll do some research and maybe check it out though, thanks!! and ahhh yeah I always do that with Johns Hopkins, actually I toured and the guides were talking about the surprising number of kids who will make that common mistake in the essays they submit! @merc81

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I definitely like your choice of JHU as a reach possibility. Your SAT is right around their average - you’re a competitive applicant there, so your chances are probably close to their overall admit rate.

If you want to try another reach or two in the northeast, obviously there are the eight Ivies, Georgetown, and CMU (their STEM school is a reach). Tufts is a borderline reach probably – worth a look also.

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@ClassicRockerDad and I posted at the same time, so you got independent recommendations.

In terms of URochester standing out, I don’t think it has to. It’s a fine, complete, modestly-sized university with classically arranged architecture, on the edge of a medium-sized, friendly city. They also seem to keep sports in their proper perspective. In a sense, I would think it would be more a matter of other universities trying to match the UR model than UR needing to do anything further to distinguish itself.

That said, they have a conservatory.

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Yeah I’m hoping for JHU since I’m fairly local, and basically every major they have is top notch which is great since I’m not set on a major. Tufts I actually visited and they were just soon quirky and frankly a little too progressive with their classes on protesting and whatnot. Which of the Ivies would you recommend? I would love Columbia/Harvard/Upenn as far as location but I think they’re too huge of reaches… The other’s are too rural it seems or don’t have my type of majors! @prezbucky

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Rochester is unique because engineering is just another major (Johns Hopkins is the same way). Therefore you can try it. It doesn’t force you to decide between arts and science and engineering. It also has a great medical school and decent economics. Great place for a premed.

I mentioned Lehigh because it has very good bioengineering.

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Yes, JHU is well rounded, as are the Ivies. Georgetown is pretty decent too, as I understand it, and their School of Foreign Service is probably the best in the US, so if working for the UN, the CIA or in an embassy might one day interest you, keep Georgetown SFS in mind.

Some other matches/high matches for you would be Brandeis and Boston College. University of Rochester has already been mentioned – excellent option. I would also suggest NYU and Boston U, but they have quite large student bodies.

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Okay yeah that is a nice attribute for a college to have that I hadn’t completely considered. I’ll take a look at that and Lehigh which I did have some interest in. @ClassicRockerDad

DO you know which ivies would be best for a stem major? Like isn’t Brown for example more for the English/Theater majors? I think NYU’s engineering school isn;t prestigious enough to put it ahead of other schools, since they just recently merged with some Poly School… it’s up and coming I think but just not there yet. Brandeis/BC(wouldn’t get merit though)/BU are great recs too, thanks! @prezbucky

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I think all Ivies are strong in the sciences. For STEM overall I believe Harvard, Cornell and maybe Princeton are the best among the Ivies. But others will know more about relative STEM strength than I do.

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You should look at the college of New Jersey TCNJ
Highly ranked, medium to small school
Has BME but tough to get in, very nice campus

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I’d agree that Harvard, Cornell and Princeton are especially strong in science and math, with Cornell perhaps being the strongest across the board. Penn has a nice math program.

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@merc81 @prezbucky Thanks, I think I might put Cornell on the list to consider too in that case. With schools like that I do want to just apply to a lot of them since it’s such a crapshoot, so maybe I’l just apply and see what happens… who knows(: Thanks!

@fleishmo6 Never heard of that, but that would be close for me and near urban areas… thanks for the suggestion!

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U of R, Northeastern, and BU all sound like great fits as they have a wide range of majors and student body diversity. All about matches to low reaches for your stats as well.

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might look at Holy Cross-strong in sciences, meets 100% demonstrated financial need and nice campus 1 hour from Boston.

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Case Western Reserve University, Union, University of Rochester.

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Brown does STEM, English and Theater well.

Here is some STEM related stories:

https://vimeo.com/41350996

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/539161/minecraft-shows-robots-how-to-stop-dithering/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usdo3tNH6NA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX1LXeWKTGI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=42&v=9aNp6bJCAhU

https://vimeo.com/91641978

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@arwarw Thanks for the links they were great, really interesting to see what insanely cool projects universities are working on that I was clueless about!
@MidwestDad3 what is Union?? I don’t know anything about that… or Case Western in that case but CW i will research. just not sure how to find Union is that the universities full name?
@par72 okay thanks, I do like the fact that there is a religious factor too