<p>If you are considering HBCU’s, also take a look at NC A&T. You may qualify for some merit aid there ( apply early- a lot of these types of awards are awarded to applicants who apply early until funding is depleted). There are opportunities for many types of research and also computer science. Majoring in both could be a stretch if you want to excel in one of them, but majoring in biology and taking computer science classes could be an option. </p>
<p>No idea about the specific biology stuff.</p>
<p>But, I’m here to say that despite what everyone else says, do not forget your reaches, no matter how unlikely they seem. That said, do not get overly obsessed with them either, but I can see you aren’t. </p>
<p>Also, instead of Claremont Mckenna, Harvey Mudd (right next door) would be a more appropriate choice for both Biology and CS. It would also be a reach.</p>
<p>Not sure how Swarthmore and Cornell do in Biology, so make sure the reaches actually teach well in what you want to learn. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Cornell is AMAZING for biology. That said, schools like Cornell are reaches for almost everybody. However, for students with 3.0 GPAs, these schools are just completely unrealistic. Good grades, bad test scores, ok, apply. It doesn’t usually work the other way round.</p>
<p>might look at Holy Cross-strong science programs with nice campus 1 hour from Boston.</p>
<p>I hesitate to complicate things, but just so you know, there is a thing called computational biology. It is not offered everywhere as an undergraduate degree so I DO NOT think you should restrict to colleges that do have it. Just be aware that it exists and if you are truly interested in these fields, some go into it for grad school. It is a difficult major perhaps, seems you have to be good at everything, bio, math, CS, a bit of chem etc.</p>
<p>Still waiting to hear your UC gpa…</p>
<ol>
<li><p>My apparent UC GPA according to this (<a href=“GPA Calculator for the University of California – RogerHub”>http://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/</a>) is 3.23. :-S</p></li>
<li><p>I’ve calculated my normal GPA and while there are some mistakes with some of my grades, that’s the unweighted, academic GPA at it’s best. With track added (no, I’m not on varsity 
) it boosts it up about .1 or .2 units. </p></li>
<li><p>If by URM you mean underrepresented minority, I do happen to be African American and I think that’s why Cappex and to an extent Parchment have calculated that I have high chances at private schools such as BU. Funny, Cornell has sent me stuff in the mail about diversity/affirmative action or whatever, but I’m probably not going to risk any time or money applying if I know it’s too sketchy.</p></li>
<li><p>My parent’s haven’t really implied that money is a problem. To be honest, they were about to shell out 50k for my sister to transfer to a women’s college in Massachusetts but she decided to go to a nearby private school.</p></li>
<li><p>With my bio degree I plan on doing tons of independent research, field and lab work, and side projects after I’m done with college. I kinda also want to do side projects pertaining to environmental restoration and curtailing the effects of climate change etc as well and I also want to learn about evolutionary biology & paleontology as a general interest. My goal is to in a way be a jack of all trades and a master of all of them as well. However, I agreed with my parents’ recommendation of at least a computer science minor because I find that fairly interesting and it’s definitely an asset to have further knowledge of computers, and their suggestion of the business minor is so that I can supposedly have more independence and opportunity to move up in job hierarchy, possibly even run my own business, and such, so I’m more leaning towards a major in biology and a double minor in comp sci and business, which is what they’re also cool with as well.</p></li>
<li><p>I’ve heard about Holy Cross in a book where it was being compared to Harvard almost, especially with the sciences I believe. I did a little bit of research on it but I think it wouldn’t be too bad of an option if you say so. I’ll look into it for sure.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thank you guys again! 
</p>
<p>Holy Cross’s biology and CS offerings are listed here:
<a href=“http://academics.holycross.edu/biology/catalog”>http://academics.holycross.edu/biology/catalog</a>
<a href=“http://academics.holycross.edu/mathcs/courses”>http://academics.holycross.edu/mathcs/courses</a>
CS appears to be somewhat limited, with many of the limited course offerings offered once every two years.</p>
<p>As far as career prospects, note that biology majors have relatively weak prospects compared to CS majors.
<a href=“University Graduate Career Surveys - #69 by ucbalumnus - Career Opportunities & Internships - College Confidential Forums”>University Graduate Career Surveys - #69 by ucbalumnus - Career Opportunities & Internships - College Confidential Forums;
<p>Monmouth University in NJ may appeal to you. Some of the dorms are literally right on the beach, and they offer Biology (with a specific degree in Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy), CS and Business. They would also probably be interested in a URM, as the campus is not particularly diverse. That in mind, they are probably a low match for you. </p>
<p>Also, I agree with the posters above, not to be blunt, but your shot at the Ivies and Swat is essentially non-existent. Pick your favorite out of these incredibly high reaches, and apply, and then be done. These schools require a lot of supplements, and you don’t want them eating into your time and detracting from your other, more realistic applications. </p>
<p>Um, I hate to be another debby downer, but I’m not seeing it. More than half the schools on your list you have no chance to be admitted to with a 3.0/26. The AP scores, GPA, math and science ACT scores are all pointing in one direction, and it is not towards the most prestigious schools on your list. Your parents’ focus on the English and Writing scores is misguided. Cornell’s mailings are disingenuous. You cannot trust cappex or parchment. We haven’t talked at all about the results of the net price calculators and the conversations you’ve had with your parents about what they can afford.</p>
<p>You want to look for affordable schools at which you will excel, not schools with an excellent reputation. You seem ambitious and goal-oriented, and a good communicator. There’s no reason you cannot follow your dreams at affordable schools outside the Top 50. We’re talking about biology here, a major that is strong at most colleges. I like @momrath’s and @ucbalumnus’ suggestions and @mom2collegekids’ point and think you should take them to heart. Howard can offer you a great deal, for instance, and still be affordable. There are many other schools like it. </p>
<p>I’m definitely applying to NU, Howard, Holy Cross, UCSC, some private schools up and down the coast in my home state, and a few others you guys can recommend (thanks @butterfreesnd for the extra suggestion!) and more than anything I’m beginning to hear a lot of kinda bad things about BU and some good things about it’s competitor school NU. I’m definitely interested in Holy Cross as well but I don’t know whether that’d be a reach school or a match. </p>
<p>Also, is there a difference between a Biology major and a Biology/Biological Sciences, General major? Would the latter cover more and go more in depth?</p>
<p>That poster has been pushing for Holy Cross in almost every thread. lol.</p>
<p>that’s about all par72 does. sometimes however his or her posts are to the point, particularly when in addition to HC s/he points out some schools we might have missed. 
</p>
<p>Would you guys definitely recommend HC over some of the schools I’m applying to? Would I have any chance of getting in?</p>
<p>How about Eckerd and New College of FL? They are both very strong in Marine and Environmental Sciences. Although neither is known for Computer Science, NCF has an open curriculum, and students can create their own projects. NCF might be a bit of a reach for you. Eckerd is more of an academic match, but you might not qualify for one of their generous scholarships. You should also consider Evergreen State College, in Olympia, WA. All three are part of the Colleges That Change Lives consortium.</p>
<p>there’s a possibility of your getting into Holy Cross because CHC has some interest in promoting the efforts of applicants like you.</p>
<p>Having said that, my main concern for you has been that you find a nurturing environment with the resources to promote your education. CHC, or Howard or one of these others, might be such a place, (I doubt that elite schools will even consider the possibility.) I don’t know. You’ll have to do the research to figure that out. The schools themselves should have their doubts, frankly.</p>
<p>Can any of the schools that have been mentioned take an underperforming Black male with a high school 3.0 and below average standardized test scores and some apparent weaknesses in math and make him a successful Holy Cross (or some other college) graduate (in Bio or Compsci, one of which is significantly math intensive)?</p>
<p>These schools (let alone you or your parents) have no interest in seeing you fail (it cannot be said that all three thousand American schools will care). Their hope is that you will flourish. Do any of them think that they can provide the resources for you to flourish? are you an applicant on whom they want to make that wager? </p>
<p>Or would you be better off applying to a school of less prestige where the resources might be as good but where success might not be as difficult to achieve? Based on the limited information I have, I think schools with slightly to moderately less strict admissions standards are more likely to take a chance on you because you’re more likely to succeed there. That is just my thinking and I’d be interested in hearing what others think. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Holy Cross’ CS department appears to be rather small and limited; check the course catalog and compare with that of other schools.</p>
<p>I’d be cool with a smaller CS department but a biology program that’s strong and yields a lot of research and discoveries relevant to my interests is what i’m looking for as a priority.</p>
<p>Keep in mind throughout this process, OP, that there are many many biology programs that fit that bill and most of them are not in elite colleges. It’s often difficult for students (and for parents) to disconnect the desire for a great education from the desire for prestige. Do you want to be a man of ostentation or a man of substance? You can be the latter if you do what’s necessary to achieve that. I sense that is what you want to do more than anything else.</p>
<p>@jkeil911 yeah, it’s pretty difficult but I’m trying to go beyond just impulsively applying to colleges for their name, but I’m still interested in the ones that have a really good reputation in the biological sciences field. For example I’ve heard that Bowdoin (even though I’m not applying due to extremely low acceptance rate and subsequent high risk of rejection) has a very strong natural sciences department. I’m looking for schools that are famous for their natural sciences. Specifically, biology. </p>
<p>As of now the schools I still have on my list aren’t really famous for their biology departments but here they are:
Northeastern
Boston University (probably about to take this off)
Holy Cross
UCSC
& the safety nets. Please suggest more options or what to take off the list, because it does help. Thank you all! :)</p>
<p>@glstrp, give bowdoin a shot.</p>