<p>Hey guys. I'm working on narrowing down my list of schools before I start applying this fall. I'm planning on majoring in biomedical engineering, and I'd like to go on to med school to get a PhD/MD and go in to medical research. I have a variety of colleges on my list... but I prefer med-size and large city, with lots of social life but not so much emphasis on the greek side of social life. A really good medical center close by would be a bonus too...</p>
<p>Rice - Top choice, applying ID.
Carnegie Mellon
Duke
Northwestern
Texas A&M
U. of Alabama, Birmingham - (in state)
U. of Alabama - (in state and guranteed full ride... last resort fallback)
University of Chicago
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
University of Texas, Austin
Vanderbilt University
Washington University in St. Louis</p>
<p>I've got good stats (link to stats - <a href="http://college.mychances.net/view/?id=128&app=college%5B/url%5D">http://college.mychances.net/view/?id=128&app=college</a>) and I'll need finaid and scholarships to help pay for school, because I will be paying the difference (not my parents) although I am willing to take out loans.</p>
<p>I'm trying to narrow it down to around 8 schools... because application fees add up quick, and 8 is the number my dad and I agreed on. Any advice would be appreciated!</p>
<p>Why not eliminate one of the UAs? Choose simply UAB or 'Bama, it sounds like you are a shoo-in at both. Chicago strikes me as a bit of an anamoly on this list...it really couldn't be more different than Vanderbilt. Chicago has a more geeky, intellectual environment; Vandy is known for its work hard, play hard attitude (and more than 50% of girls are in a sorority, I believe). Then I think you could knock one out between the three UT, UM, and A&M, since they are all quite alike. (You might want to keep two, so there's an overlap in case you don't get in to one.) I can't tell you what to do, though. This is just a suggestion.</p>
<p>You should eliminate one of the UAs. Eliminate Chicago and Northwestern unless you just really want to be in Chicago. And lastly, eliminate one between UT, UM, and A&M. That would leave you with 9 schools.</p>
<p>Well first of all, I love Chicago (the city...) and Vanderbilt's high percentage of sororities bothers me a bit. I'm interested in hearing more about the different "characteristics" of these schools though, since that will influence my decision.</p>
<p>Northwestern will probably end up off my list simply because they don't give merit based aid, which I'll be relying on.</p>
<p>Between UT and A&M, which is better for a medical-related career path, or are they both comparable?</p>
<p>I say cut UChicago. It is known as the school "where fun comes to die," and you seem to like a nice balance of work and play. Students at Chicago love learning, and most of the fun I have seen here stems from the intellectual interests. They like a good conversation (or debate), and the Reg library seems the place to socialize for lack of a student center per se (though one could argue that Reynolds Club is a student center. . .). Students at Chicago do have some fun, of course, as there are miriad clubs, lectures, and music and dance opportunities. But things as a whole focus around the "life of the mind," and, from what I have seen as someone who lives on the campus and will be attending next year, the courseload is rigorous and the quarter system is fast-paced and leaves little time to fool around. Granted, there are students who differ with what I say, but this is how things stand as I see it. Of course, UChicago is an excellent, excellent school and my first (and only) choice, but it is not for everyone. </p>
<p>You do like the city of Chicago, though, so you should at least apply to Northwestern. The city just a bit south and easily accessable.</p>
<p>my sisters x went to chicago hes not that u kno into partyin at all but he went to baseball games all thetime</p>
<p>Yeah, I guess Chicago's the place to be if you love baseball... especially now that they have a (recent) World Series Championship.</p>
<p>Northwestern's greek scene is pretty big, but not overwhelming.</p>
<p>Cornell - no money
University of Rochester - medical center attached to it - $ possible
RPI - would be very good but Troy is not a nice city - but you would likely get good aid bc you are a girl - I think they work with a medical center in Albany?</p>
<p>Between UT and A&M...I would say that UT is better for medical programs. In Texas, at least, UT has a better reputation than A&M, in part because of UT's MD Anderson and Southwestern medical centers, which are nationally recognized. UT has other medical facilities around the state, which are also well-recognized in the region.</p>
<p>Oh right, I had completely forgotten about UT's connection to MD Anderson (which is a big deal, because my ultimate goal would be to work in Houston's Medical Center...).</p>
<p>Just a note, since rlm brought up places like Cornell and Rochester... my parents would prefer that I did not go to school in the northeast (we're very conservative... and the NE is more liberal) so I'm focusing on schools in the south and the midwest.</p>
<p>The University of Chicago does not have a school of Engineering...hence no BME. I would drop them if that's the field of your choice. Why are you applying to both Alabama campuses? Apply to the one that you prefer.
Drop Texas A&M too, they really aren't that good in BME...neither is Carnegie Mellon. Northwestern is awesome and they are located right next to Chicago, a city you seem to like...but as you pointed out, they do not give out merit scholarships. </p>
<p>Duke University
Northwestern University (replace it with Case Western or RPI if merit is a must)
Rice University (your first choice, and understandibly so)
U. of Alabama - (in state and guranteed full ride... last resort fallback)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
University of Texas, Austin
Vanderbilt University
Washington University in St. Louis</p>
<p>A word of advice. Many schools give out merit scholarships to students with SAT scores over 1500 (2250). You just need to improve your SAT score by 50 points and it will make a world of difference. You will still get some scholarships, but since you are so close, it may be adviseable to redo your SAT...if you feel up to it.</p>
<p>That really is a fine collection of great universities with great college atmospheres.</p>
<p>Thanks, and in fact, I retook the SAT yesterday so hopefully my scores will go up. I'm retaking the ACT this Saturday, but I may not have to send those scores anywhere anyways.</p>
<p>...and between the two UA's, UAB is definately better for medicine and biomedical engineering. U of A doesn't even have biomedical engineering. The deal here is that this is the one school my parents absolutely want me to apply to no matter what, in case everything else falls through. I'd love to convince them otherwise though and just apply to UAB...</p>
<p>You know Kathryn, it just occured to me. You really should apply to MIT, even if just for the fun of it. I know, you wont get a scholarship because MIT only gives out need-based aid, but MIT is MIT and a female applicant from Alabama with your grades and scores stands a chance. </p>
<p>If your parents insist on UAB, so be it...but do not apply to Tuscaloosa then. Applying to both Alabama campuses when you are limiting yourself to just 8 applications is a waste of an applicantion. The Tide aren't that good anyway! hehe</p>
<p>Alexandre- you got the UA situation backwards... My parents insist on T-town but I would rather just apply to UAB. I would rather go anywhere but Tuscaloosa. (Maybe I'll just make in nine applications since this one is required...)</p>
<p>I dunno... MIT doesn't seem like the kind of school I would consider going to. I know some kids at my school who would, but I don't think it's for me. (I wouldn't want to put a lot of time and effort into an application for a school I don't really want to attend...)</p>
<p>Yeah, MIT isn't for everybody.Oh well, that's too bad. At any rate, I hope you did well on your SAT. Keep us posted.</p>