Another option is to broaden your search and include small liberal arts colleges. These often provide excellent education, with small class sizes and lots of opportunities for mentorship and research. If you are considering grad school, they provide an excellent launching pad for that! I went to a small LAC myself, had so many research opportunities, and was VERY well prepared for medical school. However their vibe is very different from big universities, so either that is for you, or it isn’t. Liberal arts colleges in the Midwest in particular often provide significant merit and financial aid.
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