Hi guys! I am a high school junior at this moment, and I would like to know my chances for the T20 schools. If they aren’t up to par, please share information that may help me reach requirements for the schools. Thank you!!
Also, I am really interested in the sciences, especially bioengineering, and my research papers cover those topics.
Another also: My research internship got cancelled for the summer, but I am still doing a research paper for one of my classes that might get published. If you guys know of any available programs that are free/cheap (I’m broke) please let me know.
Last edit: My schedule since 9th grade has only been AP/Honors/Dual Enrollment/ AICE course work. In my senior year, I will be full time early admitting to the college next door and most of my classes will be science and math - I enjoy those. (I will still be considered a high school student). 
So my stats are:
GPA: 3.9 UW/ 5.2 W
- I should also mention that I received a C in one of my classes. At that time, I had medical issues and my grades dropped
Act: 33 Composite (I don’t recall the separate scores but I did highest in science and reading)
EC:
- Certified Academic tutor
- Math tutor at my local college
- volunteer science and math tutor at my high school
- published 2 research papers and presented both at my states Honors symposium
- did scripps summer research on cancers and carcinogens
- did an intro to engineering program
- activism fellowship
- founded my organization: 4freedom (go check it out on Instagram)
- founded a club at my school that partners with seniors in the community and assists them on the weekends
- over 750+ hrs of volunteer work
-VP of key club
- President of Math club
- VP of my city’s teen advisory board
Licensure / certificates:
- EKG and CMAA ( I work in medical facilities with these)
- EMR
- Microsoft office
- CPR/AED assistant instructor
Accolades:
- AICE diploma
- AA degree with Honor merits (by the time I start applying)
- UL National Achievers society
- National Honors Society
- Johnson’s Scholars recipient
- Bethesda Scholars recipient
- Deans List
- Presidential Academics list
Broaden your target group because many students with your outstanding profile may not get into a “top 20” school. No one can really answer your question with a high certainty.
By way of examples:
- Johns Hopkins is generally regarded as possibly the most well known Biomedical engineering program in the country and is ranked, overall by US News as # 10. They do have students with a profile like yours, but not everyone with that profile is admitted. See https://www.jhu.edu/
- Case Western Reserve and BU are very well known and highly regarded in this field and are tied at #40 by US News. Their average student in you chosen field of study also match your profile. You would also fit there and find no lack of challenges and graduation opportunities. See https://case.edu/. See https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/boston-university-2130
- WPI is also highly regarded in this field, but is only ranked #64 by US News. The average unweighted GPA of the entering students is 3.89/4. Their job/graduate school placement in this area of studies is outstanding. See https://www.wpi.edu/academics/departments/biomedical-engineering
My point is that there are many outstanding programs out there and you are a fine student. Don’t be distracted by the “top 20” talk. Find the quality Universities with programs and financial assistance you may need to accomplish you goals. US News “top 20” will not mean much after graduation, but the quality of the education in your chosen field will. This may also give you a broader range of FA options and learning oportunities in your chosen field.
Generally speaking it is advantagous to have strong departments/students in your areas of interests and to have a range of FA options. It is not as easy as “top 20.” Find an institution you can get excited about because you fit into a challenging program and did well. Not all “top 20” are the strongests in all areas of study.
Because of your fields of interests, it would be advantageous to pick a program with high research in your area where undergraduate students actually participate. Look for closely associated hospital and research facilities.
Good hunting!
I’d highly recommend EDing to JHU.
You will find bioengineering as a more common terminology on the west coat while the east coast used the biomedical engineering term more commonly. Don’t be confused by these different terms. Look at both.
Check out U of C San Diego at http://be.ucsd.edu/. They are only ranked #37 by USN. Very difficult admission if you are not a CA resident.
I mean, there’s a 0% chance if you don’t apply, but you should definitely have a safety and at least two match schools on your list.
Before you get caught-up in rankings, you need to talk to your parents and find out what you can actually afford. Chances are, the “t20”(if there were such a thing) is going to be out of your price range. Getting in is the easy part. Paying for it is something much different.
My advice, put a few prestigious schools on your reach list. Then focus your attention on match and safety schools. Before applying to any of them, make sure you can afford it. Your state flagship is a good start.
Your research is very impressive. I further the comments about John Hopkins it is a very research based institution and you may be able to talk about how you would like to continue research in a specific program at that school.
Where did you get your research published? Was it a peer reviewed journal?
What is your class rank?
Do you need financial aid?
Are you ORM or URM (over/under represented minority)?
What type of High school do you attend?
Do you live in an overrepresented geographic area (CA, NY, NJ, TX, IL)??