<p>I cross posted with you. We had similar impression of JHU - I’m not sure that it would be the best choice for a middle of the app pool person, unless her research mentor knows someone on the faculty and can get her hooked up. WUSTL may be similar, although if she’s not “pre-med” level of grade obsessed, then she might get some good opportunities.</p>
<p>Another reachy school to look at with excellent bio is Carleton, it might be too PC, I’m not sure, we never actually got to visit, but it is in toen with a more conservative, slightly less selective LAC (St. Olaf) that also has excellent bio.</p>
<p>In the South and Midwest often the university that has the attached med school is a tier 2, not the flagship school. In these instances there may be a small LAC in the same town whose science profs have developed relationships with the med school faculty (this is the case with RHodes, and there are others) - these relationships lead to great opportunities for a research minded student. It also leads to excellent med school admit stats for the grads of these LACs, because the neighboring med school knows from the rec what kind of student they are getting.</p>