<p>It seems you have some excellent comments and suggestions. Could any people commenting here expand on the research issues? My understanding is that it matters which undergraduate college you attend if you are interested in research because status matters. I presume that puts colleges like MIT at the top of the list. After that, is it better to aim for graduate school, medical school, or both?</p>
<p>I know researchers who like WashU and Rice because they have programs that will initially admit students to undergrad and medical school. (They may even have a 3+3 program but I'm not sure about that.) Both Wash U and Rice are affiliated with excellent medical programs and pursuing degrees at these colleges might make more accelerated courses, research opportunities, and internships available at the undergraduate level.</p>