<p>I have honestly no idea where to go to college. I want to go into science (ultimately i'm hoping to do research and develop medical drugs or to become a surgical doctor). I also want to minor or maybe double major in vocal music. I love choir. I want to venture off and travel abroad someday. Ultimately, my home state is Minnesota and I want to be able to leave and be independent in college. I've looked at St. Olaf College in Minnesota but it's not far away at all from my home and I'd like a little more independence than that, but with the same kind of feel/environment as St. Olaf (up to date technology, beautiful campus, diverse campus activity/life, etc.) Any suggestions and/or advice on choosing a college is very welcome! Thank you!</p>
<p>I hope you’re not a senior. Tick tick. Find out from your parents how much they will pay per year. Read this forum long enough and you will read over and over that for medical school it does not matter what undergraduate college you attend. There are several M.D.'s who post here. I’ve also seen them say over and over to not go into debt for the undergraduate degree. Medical school is expensive and it would be wiser to hold off on debt 'til then. I have no idea what your family budget is but the cost of a year at St. Olaf is $53,000. The biggest bargain is usually a state university in your own state. Almost every college I’ve checked into has a choir and offers semesters abroad. I would google public colleges in Minn. and check to see which ones have your major. I think there’s a sub forum around here for med school so ask some questions there. Good luck! </p>
<p>edit: I found the pre med/ med school forum:
<a href=“Pre-Med & Medical School - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-medical-school/</a></p>
<p>There’s also a sub forum for science majors.</p>
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<p>Are you a senior? If so, you’ve missed a lot of scholarship deadlines. You posted the above last October, but then didn’t come back.</p>
<p>Can you clarify…are your parents saying that THEY will pay $35k-40k per year? If not, where does that number come from? </p>
<p>How much will your parents pay each year?</p>
<p>Have you had your parents run the NPCs on some schools’ websites? If so, what did they say about the results? </p>
<p>You’re state is Minn?</p>
<p>Don’t know about financial aid but Vassar in Poughkeepsie, NY is worth a look.</p>
<p>My daughter had similar stats as you and was accepted to St. Olaf. She chose to attend Lawrence U. in WI after she did the admitted students overnight visit, and 2 years later she still loves it. You should be able to get at least $20,000 in academic scholarships and possibly some grant money to bring the tuition down to the cost of a state college. The school is renown for their music program. Lots of research opportunities for science majors. The pre-med advising has been excellent. The facilities have a lot of character but it definitely doesn’t have that “Harry Potter look”.</p>