<p>Hi, I'm looking for some reach schools and I was wondering if you guys could help me out.</p>
<p>About me: </p>
<p>I'd call myself a "healthy" introvert in that I have a lot of friends but I really only speak when spoken to without friends. When I'm around friends, I'm completely loose and love goofing around. My friends and I talk about a wide range of stuff, usually intellectual, however we love to poke fun at every subject we talk about. I constantly joke about things so I don't think I'd fit well into a politically correct school. </p>
<p>I normally tend to stay away from parties unless my friends invited me to them. My friends and I usually like to go out and see movies and then go to restaurants after. I'm looking for a college where the party scene isn't as dominant and there's plenty of nice restaurants where I can go with friends to eat.</p>
<p>My stats:</p>
<p>I'm trying to remain anonymous, but I have very competitive stats (34 ACT) and I am a URM. I'm looking for a rigorous school but not something that dominates my college life. I want to enjoy my four years! I might also mention that I want to major in Biology (pre-med). </p>
<p>What I'm looking for: </p>
<p>I'm looking for something with an undergraduate focus, yet at the same time I don't want a claustrophobic feeling sometimes found in a LAC. The campus must be beautiful, I can't stress that enough. I'm indifferent about the weather, so location isn't too important. I sort of want a rural/suburban setting, however. </p>
<p>So... please recommend schools for me! Gracias! :)</p>
<p>I don’t see any “perfect” fit (is there ever one?), but lots need-to-look-ats. My TOP TEN LIST:</p>
<p>LACs:</p>
<p>CARLETON (pretty campus, beautiful attached arboretum, historic river town with ok restaurant scene and tons more offered in Minneapolis-St. Paul just down the road)
GRINNELL (town small - too small?, restaurant scene limited but on campus offerings great, pretty, manicured, rich campus)
HAVERFORD (very school small, too small?, size issue somewhat offset by both nearby Philly and Bryn Mawr)
POMONA (geekier, quieter sibling among Claremonts, pretty campus, avoid CMC parties if you choose to, ok restaurant offerings but LA not too far, a trip but there)
WILLIAMS (town very small, too small?, offset by beautiful campus and surroundings)</p>
<p>UNIs:</p>
<p>BROWN (undergrad focus, partying definitely happens but can beat to your own drummer, local restaurant scene ok with rest of Providence easy to access down the hill(s)
NORTHWESTERN (pretty suburban lakefront campus, Evanston with like 100 + restaurants + Chicago down the road, Geeks and Greeks co-exist in harmony)
PRINCETON (partying, eating clubs, still a big part of the scene but you can be your own person, Princeton (town) food offerings a lot like Evanston and Palo Alto, somewhat more stressful past several years with grade deflation
STANFORD (big and feels big but undergrads a very happy crew, lots of food in Palo Alto, SF a trip but there for a special treat)
WASH U (happy students, Loop with good offerings, St. Louis not a Chicago or SF)</p>
<p>Thank you tk and 1190. Isn’t Brown a tad bit PC? I’m strongly considering WashU… I’m not so sure about N’Western. I heard the dorms are not so great although the campus is absolutely beautiful. And yes, I’ve heard Pomona is really politically correct–almost annoying. One more thing, isn’t Duke a heavy partying school?</p>
<p>Remember that medical school is expensive. Minimizing debt and saving money is often important for pre-meds. Note also that biology majors do not have great job prospects at graduation, so minimizing debt if you major in biology but do not go to medical school is something to consider.</p>
<p>What kind of cost constraints are you working under?</p>
<p>In my view a good overall choice base don our criteria is University of Virginia: Top 25 in USNWR and one of top 3 among the publics; beautiful campus and only university in america designated a world heritage site; Charlottesville the perfect college town with lots to do geared at students; not that PC although tolerant; good pre-med program and bio department; diverse and international students; medium sized university with all of the large university benefits such as NCAA sports, research, and a plethora of clubs and study abroad opportunities; good balance between academics and fun. Downside – lots of parties and frats, but many students (including my oldest son) have lots of fun there without being part of that culture. </p>
<p>Other ideas re Top 30 Universities–Princeton, Cornell, Duke, Vanderbilt, WUSTL, Stanford, and Wake Forest.</p>
<p>I probably should’ve mentioned this but I am considering going the MD/PhD route after undergrad. I’m sure you know what this program is and the stipend may contribute to paying debt from undergrad. Also, I know I qualify for some aid and scholarships, but my dad already told me if I get into a top 20 college he’ll do what he can to subsidize the costs.</p>
<p>Although this is probably a match rather than a reach, if you’re from the Chicago area & want a beautiful campus with high achievers, you could hardly do better than University of Wisconsin-Madison. Extrovert, introvert, straight arrow, partier–it doesn’t matter, there’s a place at UW for everyone.</p>
<p>Don’t expect much of a scholarship at Madison as an incoming freshman–as an URM you might get a little something, and they are somewhat better with departmental scholarships after you’ve proven yourself. Costs top out for OOS around $40K, pricey but not horrible, about the same as a $55K college that gives you a $15K scholarship.</p>
<p>I think UVA, Wake Forest, & Emory, mentioned by others, are worth considering. I’d add to that list Clemson, NC State, VA Tech.</p>
<p>I’d suggest that the “top 20” and the “don’t want to kill myself working” aren’t necessarily consistent. Don’t get me wrong, I sympathize, and support the idea, there’s nothing wrong with it. But you’ll work a lot harder at the elite schools, or find yourself falling behind. So you might want a “next 30” type school.</p>
<p>OK thank you exstudent. It seems like Emory keeps popping up. My GC recommended Emory, WashU, Rice, and Northwestern to me as reach schools. (As well as Cornell, but that’s only because I’d be a legacy)</p>