<p>I have some reaches coming in next week, but I'm approaching my situation realistically, so realistically, this is what the situation should look like unless I get lucky.</p>
<p>-I'm going in for pre-med (biochem major), so it's important for the school to provide the faculties necessary to accomplish my goal and I don't want the school to be way too cutthroat that I don't have room to breathe. </p>
<ul>
<li><p>In case the pre-med path doesn't work out, I'm looking for a good biochem department regardless, as this is the major that currently seems the most interesting to me.</p></li>
<li><p>I live in SD, so I don't know if it's a good thing that UCSD would be close or not, because I was looking for the transitional way of living in college, where one goes from home to a completely new environment. </p></li>
<li><p>I'd prefer diversity in schools (UCSD and UVA might not provide this)</p></li>
<li><p>I'm middle eastern (more specifically, Iranian). Living in Cali, I experienced almost 0 hostile racism, hopefully places like North Carolina and Virginia don't isolate me based on my race (excuse my ignorance of the racism that goes on in these states, for all I know it could be nill)</p></li>
<li><p>I've never partied before, but would be open to trying it out, but personally I don't think I see myself joining a fraternity</p></li>
<li><p>I wouldn't want a school where the overall atmosphere is stressed out/depressed</p></li>
<li><p>school spirit would be a plus</p></li>
<li><p>I'd prefer low campus crime (who wouldn't? )</p></li>
</ul>
<p>costs:</p>
<p>UCSD: about 10,000 year, no loans
UNC: about 15,000 year, loans
U of M: about 20,000 year, loans
UVA: No idea</p>
<p>any suggestions on which school I should pick?</p>