<p>I agree with polarscribe at the undergrad level rankings are total BS. Cream always rises to the top and you can get a great education anywhere if you are willing to put in the time and the work.</p>
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<p>If you are in NYC, keep the summer research opportunity, finish community college and transfer to City College (CUNY) which is very well respected in the sciences and with their new expansions has some very cutting edge labs(apparently you are not doing enough research). Yes, they are producing Fulbright, Mellon and other prestigious research opportunities after graduating.</p>
<p>[Students</a> - Notable People - CUNY](<a href=“http://www.cuny.edu/about/people/notable-students.html?id=allwinners]Students”>http://www.cuny.edu/about/people/notable-students.html?id=allwinners)</p>
<p>In addition there are great student opportunities for research</p>
<p>[Student</a> Research - Research - CUNY](<a href=“http://www.cuny.edu/research/sr.html]Student”>http://www.cuny.edu/research/sr.html)</p>
<p>Yes, there are plenty of people who finish at CUNY and go on to Harvard, Princeton, Columbia for grad school because at the end of the day it is about GPA/test scores and research (all which are in your control).</p>
<p>With Pell, and a small stafford loan, it is definitely an affordable option.</p>
<p>At the end of the day your are going where your money can take you. If you need a job, beggars can’t be choosers; even if you are flipping burgers at McDonalds or working the night shift at UPS, you are bringing in money. Or get a full time job and go to school at night (plenty of people do it).</p>