<p>National Merit Semifinalist cutoffs vary by state… and int’l . can’t remember where int’l is, but I think CA was 220.</p>
<p>Second W&M. Good match for OP requirements.</p>
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<p>I believe there are discernible differences, but they do not necessarily closely track the USNWR undergraduate rankings. The rankings cited in post #2 are graduate program rankings. These are of interest, as a supplement to the undergraduate rankings, especially if (as nyccard stated) you expect to go on to graduate school in the sciences.</p>
<p>The USNWR graduate program rankings are based on peer review (“the ratings of academic experts”.) They do not consider factors that may be important to you such as average undergraduate class size. That’s why you should use them to supplement, not replace, UG rankings and your own independent research (Q&A on this forum, personal visits if possible, etc.)</p>
<p>Another ranking that you may want to consult (very cautiously) is the Washington Monthly ranking ([Washington</a> Monthly](<a href=“http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings/national_university_research.php]Washington”>http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings/national_university_research.php)). Sort on the set of sub-factors in the center labeled “reasearch”; ignore the other columns (social mobility, service). Keep in mind that the “research expenditures” are not adjusted for school size. “Science & engineering PhD’s awarded” may penalize schools that don’t even have engineering programs (a fact that may not matter to YOU at all). So … this ranking may be better used to bring highly-ranked schools (such as state schools) to your attention, or to bump some schools on your own list up or down a little, than to rule lower-ranked schools out. Is #7-for-research Johns Hopkins as good a choice for you as #9-for-research Yale? It’s somewhat less selective, that’s for sure. But you’d have to check out its aid policies and practices toward internationals. It seems to be strong in Art History and Music (as well as science research); Hopkins students can take classes at MICA (art school); but they do not have an architecture school or major.</p>