A quick lesson on those $1K merit awards:
1- they typically do not renew. So you get a few for freshman year- fantastic. And then they are gone. You are no longer eligible for the next three years, and typically, your costs will go up each year.
2- Many of them are - in fact- need based, even though the sponsoring organization describes them as merit awards. I sat on the board of an organization which offered several of these- reality- I never saw a kid with a family income above 60K or so win one. It just never happened. ALL of our applicants were “meritorious” but some of the kids had truly transcended some financial and familial hardships- and those kids were usually first in line.
3- Some of them are a lot of work. An application, two essays, then potentially a “meet and greet” with the board of your local realtors association, the historical society, whoever is sponsoring. And then- maybe- you find out you’ve won $750. Terrific. You could ALSO have earned $750 with your babysitting gigs, etc.during the time you spent to win a merit award.
So eyes wide open. You sound terrific, but make sure you have one or two less competitive/less expensive options in the mix “just in case”. Macauley Honors? Binghamton? Both would prepare you well for med school as well as any other option if you change your mind.