I plan on doing Biomedical Engineering for M.S. Should I go a less competitive university for undergrad where I feel that I will have better grades? Or should I aim for one of the more competitive schools even if I may have a hard time making a name for myself? Any advice is appreciated.
First, don’t assume that you’ll have better grades at a less competitive university. There are many reasons that might not be true: you might fit in better at the more competitive place and be happier, leading to higher grades; you might get positive peer pressure from your more competitive classmates to study hard and do well; grade inflation might be rampant at your more competitive university; the major at the less competitive place might be a lot tougher than the more competitive place.
That said, I don’t think you should choose a college based on what you think your GPA might be, because there’s no way to predict that. Go to the best overall college for you - taking into account academics and social life but also costs. If the place you feel most at home is a competitive school, then go there! Competitive schools do confer all kinds of advantages even if you don’t “make a name for yourself” or “stand out.”
Thank you, what you said makes a lot of sense. I guess I should try to visit these schools before I apply.
In engineering, particularly Chemical Engineering, the curriculum is tough all over and so you will have to work hard no matter where you go. As @juillet says, choose based on all the other factors, not what you think your GPA might be, then work hard to get good grades…
Thank you guys for the advice.