Which colleges should I apply to? Particularly LAC's but anything would be appreciated!

College Search & Selection
1

To Viewers:

As college app season begins, I still am fairly clueless as to which college I want to apply to. Quite honestly the only college I can honestly think of is the Naval Academy. However, I would like some suggestions for which colleges I should apply to. After a little research, I’ve realized that LAC’s will suit me better as they have closer professor-student relationships, smaller class sizes, and more opportunities for research.

Intended Major: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Possibly Mechanical Engineering

Ultimately want to be Pre-Med

“Resume”-

Academic Course Load:

Freshmen:

NJROTC 1
Pre-Calculus
Honors Biology
English 1 Honors
Fundamentals of Programming/ Computer Logic and Algorithms (First Semester/ Second Semester)
IB Non-Western Cultures
Spanish 1

Sophomore:

NJROTC 2
AP Calculus AB
Honors Chemistry
AP Language and Composition
AP European History
Accounting/ Introduction to Business (First Semester/ Second Semester)
Spanish 2 Honors
Track and Field (Shotput and Discus)

Junior:

NJROTC 3
AP Environmental Science
English 3 Honors
US History
IB Business and Management
AP Statistics
Spanish 3
Track and Field (Shotput and Discus)

GPA: UW- 3.7 W- 4.4

SAT I Super Score: 2190 800M, 700 W, 690 CR
PSAT: 216
SAT II: 790 Chem, 800 Math II, 740 BioEco
ACT: 32

-Principal’s Honor Roll (9,10,11)
-Athlete Scholar
-AP Scholar

College Courses taken at local colleges:

Math 150A
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Introduction to Anthropology
Music Appreciation
Introduction to Art
Sociology: Inter-Relationship Studies
Liberal Arts Math
History of the Americas

Extra Curricular:

-Boy Scouts of America: Eagle Scout
-National Youth Leadership Training: Senior Patrol Leader (2015), Assistant Senior Patrol Leader of Service (2014), Troop Guide (2013)
-Giving Children Hope Secretary (2014-2015)
-People to People International Secretary(2014-2015)
-Serve a Warrior: President (2013/2014), Vice President (2014/2015)
-Department of Veterans Affairs Youth Intern: Biomedical Engineering
-Blandford Elementary: Youth Volunteer
-NASS Attendee

Not Official: At least 1000+ hours of community service

Thank you for your time and advice.

2

If you want to attend the USNA, that must mean that your goal is to be an officer in the Navy or Marines, right? Then wouldn’t your criteria for selecting other colleges include the presence of Navy ROTC?

If you are also considering medical school and a physician career in the future, would it be as an officer in the Navy or Marines, or after such service?

3

The aspiration is to be a Physician in the Navy. The Naval Academy just became a college I fell in love with after attending the NASS program. However, as the student I am, I am not limiting myself to military service, I am open to any career or college that aids in “success” if you will. Navy ROTC would not be required, but it definitely would be a plus.

4

If your path leads to physician not in military service, be aware of how expensive medical school can be. You may want to choose a lower cost undergraduate school to avoid debt and save money for medical school.

You may want to look at these lists: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1678964-links-to-popular-threads-on-scholarships-and-lower-cost-colleges.html

5

I may have missed this, but what is your state of residence? Setting the USNA aside, do you have any preferences as to geography (East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, etc.) or venue (urban vs. suburban vs. rural) for LAC recommendations? Also, most LACs do not offer engineering courses (or very limited if they do).

6

I’m in California, but I would prefer either the East or West coast.

7

Well you have the stats for the USNA. A suggestion would be to apply to all 3 service academies. The way ti works is your congressman can have 5 cadets in any academy at any point in time. He or she may have no openings at USNA but available openings at West Point or the USAFA. Even if USNA is your top choice you should consider applying to all the academies. I’m not sure about USNA but at West Point the top 3% or so of the class have the option to apply to Med School which is paid for by the government. Bear in mind that you have to be extremely strong academically to graduate in the top 3% of your class. Two of my classmates went on to become Rhodes Scholars. How much money your family can afford to pay for college needs to be a consideration. It’s pretty uncommon to take Calc as a sophomore. If you need merit aid to help pay for college there is one set of schools that would be appropriate. If you don’t need merit aid it would end up being a different set of schools

8

I would look at LACs that participate in the POSSE program which acts a little bit like the Questbridge program - but, for military veterans:
https://www.possefoundation.org/veterans-posse-program

The students are older, of course, but that’s part of their advantage; they may be able to offer their experience to someone like yourself.

9

Do you think I have a decent shot at USNA? or any Service Academy for that matter?

10

I believe that in order to go to a service academy you have to be nominated by your congressman or senator, except in certain circumstances. I imagine that your congressman/senator has been/is being lobbied by students and their parents already for appointments; but you should make that inquiry and probably sooner rather than later.

11

Holy Cross-very good LAC in Massachusetts has top pre-med Program and offers NROTC. HC has great alumni network and its sports program is in the highly regarded Patriot League which also includes Navy and Army.