Where should I go to college? Suggestions? Magic Brownie Karma points!

<p>I need some suggestions as to some schools to consider. I'd really like to stay out of the midwest (too cold!). I want to do chemical and biological engineering, and I want to go to a school big enough to have a graduate school.</p>

<p>Please help!</p>

<p>Here's my sitch:</p>

<p>I am a high school senior, concurrently enrolled in college. I have taken summer classes since I was a freshman, getting As and Bs in college and straight As (ok, 2 Bs) in high school. I took classes throughout my junior year, and I'm taking more this year. I had some personal stuff come up that affected my grades- I got 2 Cs (out of 10 classes- the others are a mix of As and Bs), but I have court documentation of the incident that affected things, and a way to explain everything. The incident that really screwed things up gives me a "hardship" to overcome, which is pretty decent for apps.</p>

<p>I've taken through organic chemistry, genetics, and linear algebra- all very challenging courses.</p>

<p>I've done stage crew and lights for 3 years of school plays, and acted in a play entirely in French (I've skipped two years of French, done AP French literature, and French club).</p>

<p>I've volunteered with the county doing forest restoration since the summer before junior year. I've also been the president of a club for the past two years, and secretary beforehand.</p>

<p>I'm currently doing an internship and research project at a lab at the local powerhouse research university (state school, but very well regarded). I will submit an abstract and letter of rec from my prof with my apps. I'm also submitting my project to several science competitions. The project has biofuels applications, which relates to my involvement in environmental volunteer work.</p>

<p>I have a 4.47 GPA at high school, and I don't really know my college GPA- it isn't as good, but around a 3.2-.3. My SAT scores are about 2200, and I have a 34 ACT. I'm retaking those tests, and doing my subject tests this fall. I should score a bit better this time around.</p>

<p>I have WONDERFUL teacher recommendations from my history and biology teachers. They love me. The one from my bio teacher will mention how I made biodiesel in my blender for a class project- further emphasis of the environmental thing.</p>

<p>I have a couple ideas for creative essays about how I see science in everyday life, and find inspiration in it. i think I can write a good essay. All my personal essays for LA class have been greatly loved by my teacher and friends.</p>

<p>Please don't make fun of me. I'm already insecure enough with all these applications, and I don't think I can take anymore. Some honest advice would be great!</p>

<p>I need some schools to consider!</p>

<p>Right now, I like:</p>

<p>MIT, Emory, Brown, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Cornell, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Duke, and Northwestern. Do I have a shot of getting into any of these?</p>

<p>Magic brownie points to whomever takes this seriously and gives some good advice.</p>

<p>You have great stats, and you come across well in this post. If your essays are good, I think you have a solid chance at at least Emory, Carnegie Mellon, and Cornell. Duke, Northwestern, and Brown will be more difficult, and MIT, Yale, Stanford, Caltech and Princeton are crazily hard for everyone. You’re going to need safeties, because all the schools you’re looking at are really great and prestigious, but you seem like a great candidate. Good luck!</p>

<p>Wait, why are so many of your schools in the northeast if you think the midwest is cold? </p>

<p>Also, I would suggest not retaking your SATs/ACTs, those scores are definitely good enough for these schools. </p>

<p>But otherwise, just apply and try! I think you have a shot! :] You won’t get in unless you give it a shot first :]</p>

<p>It sucks that you want ot stay out of the midwest because Colorado College sounds like a great fit for you</p>

<p>I live in colorado, and I’m looking to take a break.</p>

<p>I narrowed it down a bit to a more definite list:
CU Boulder Engineering Honors
MIT
Emory
Stanford
Princeton
Duke
Georgia Tech
Cornell</p>

<p>I have northeast schools because all the Ivies are up in the cold :'(, and I’m from Georgia, so i have a bunch of Southern schools. </p>

<p>I’m just freaking out a bit about MIT, because it is my dream school, and I don’t know what else I could do to get in. What you y’all think of doing early action at MIT and how that would affect admission at other schools?</p>