<p>Brown or Rice undergraduate may put you in a good position to be accepted later into a Harvard graduate program. I would compare Brown & Rice as to where their graduates go, & would also compare the undergraduate programs & environments at each. You say you fit in several places, but so did my D, until she went back from April visiting (after acceptances). The final round of visits clinched it for her; she had more time there, because she stayed overnight. The pressure was off because of the acceptances, so she was in a more relaxed & receptive frame of mind. By that time, she was also more mature & defined (versus during the application period).</p>
<p>You should also compare Brown & Rice (& perhaps Vandy) to see where you believe you would have the most individualized opportunity to excel as an undergrad (thus stand out as a graduate applicant to Harvard).</p>
<p>I don't think it's necessary to attend Howard in order to get hired or recruited as a minority applicant. JMO</p>
<p>Congratuations on having so many choices.</p>