If your ACT score is at least a 32 and have a GPA of at least 3.5, you will automatically get the full tuition scholarship from UAlabama so there’s no competition there.
Again, I’d really urge you or your parents to run the net price calculators at these reach schools, many people are suprised at the actual costs since these schools have incredible endowments and are very generous.
For the academic scholarships, I understand your hesitation but I wouldn’t knock yourself down! If you get it, great! If not, then oh well! Also, look at the University of Pittsburgh which gives full ride and full tuition (this one is quite likely) scholarships to students with your scores quite often.
@merc81 are you sure? The OP just stated UIUC as a potential college.
OP, what is your home state?
Post #8, ED. (Though I did goof up on that other thread.)
Yes- I am from Illinois. Born and raised about 3 hours from the Urbana area.
Don’t know how I glitched over that post. I focused on the one listing all the public Us.
When you’re a doctor, no one will care or remember your undergrad institution. I’d go to the local state school and take as many honors courses as possible. If it’s a decent school such as UIUC, the honors courses will be similar in depth and overall caliber to those at elite private schools.
You might also find it a bit easier to pull the kinds of grades you need to get into med school at the state school.
They might be pleasantly surprised.
See post #20 regarding merit aid.
You can estimate need based aid by running the online net price calculators for a few schools that interest you. Try running the NPCs on both UIUC and some of the other schools mentioned in the original post.
https://npc.collegeboard.org/student/app/vanderbilt
Have you looked into Tulane? If you apply early action, they give out some very generous merit scholarships, and they have the size/liveliness you’re looking for.