Vanderbilt / Belmont -Also, opinions on the schools?

<p>(I am going into my junior year, so I have a full year before I have to submit any applications..)
I am in Indiana, but I want to go to school in Tennessee; it's where I want to live when I graduate.
I want to go to school for molecular genetics or molecular biology as an undergraduate, and hopefully go for a doctorate in genetics further down the line. Anyways, so I've been looking at schools in Tennessee; Vanderbilt and Belmont University (both located in Nashville) look promising, but I've heard a very broad range of opinioins on both schools. What are your opinions on the schools?</p>

<p>I was wondering what you think my chances of getting into both (or either) would be..</p>

<p>Overall GPA: 3.24</p>

<p>Freshman course load: English (A, A-); Algebra 1 (B, C+), Biology (B+, A-) Spanish 2 (B+, B) World History (B, B) Physical Education (A, A) Drawing 1 (A-) Mass Media (A) Beginning Darkroom (A)</p>

<p>Sophomore course load: Honors English (A, A-) Geometry (B-, B-) Chemistry (B, C+) Spanish 3 (B+, B+) Psychology (B) Fashion and Textiles (A, A) Art History (A) Student Newspaper (B+, A)</p>

<p>Junior course load (not taken yet): AP English Lit and Comp, Pre-Calculus, Pre-Statistics, IB Biology Year 1, IB Spanish 4 Year 1, AP Macroeconomics, US History, Nutrition and Wellness, Student Newspaper</p>

<p>Summer School: Interpersonal Relations (A) Algebra 2 (C, D+)
(Note: I am retaking the second semester again, hoping to get an A that term! The two grades will average, giving me a B, I think)
After I boost my Algebra 2 semester 2 grade up, I will qualify for the Core 40 Diploma with Academic Honors.</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars (affiliated with school): student newspaper, book club, research mentor club (I tutor 5th graders, basically), sewing club, WRAP (writers, readers, artists, performers), and Amnesty International. I'm also going out for the Speech team this year.
Extra Curriculars (not affiliated with school): Kickboxing, mixed martial arts, horseback riding, state newspaper volunteer (editor position held, and I will be on the board to talk with the paper's executives my senior year, I've been promised), volunteering with a horse equine clinic.</p>

<p>Sorry about the length, but I'm not quite sure how much you guys need to form an opinion.</p>

<p><3
Jinx</p>