Definitely look at University of Rochester. I am guessing you would get a big merit award, and they would probably try to make it work financially for you. There is a university medical center, and it has six hospitals. Amazing school. Lots of premed students, but many other majors too. Excellent professors. Has very loose requirements and you can effectively take whatever classes you like. About 6000 undergrads, 5000 post-grads. Equal balance of men and women. Great mix of all kinds of students. Also has the Eastman School of Music, which is highly regarded. Lovely campus, good city. Run the NPC. Ask for an interview, as they like interest. Do the supplemental essay. Good luck.
Re: Pitt - it has rolling admission, but the deadline to be considered for scholarships is Dec 15.
The OP’s family income is about average for selective private colleges.
It appears to be below average for highly selective colleges and far below average for elite LACs.
https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/private-colleges/
The OP cannot expect a full ride based on need from those colleges.
However, they may cover (or nearly cover) the cost of tuition.
Run the online net price calculators on any of them that interest you.
After self help, the parents’ remainder may be down to room, board, and miscellaneous expenses.
If the net price turns out to be ~$17K for top schools based only on need, I think the question then is whether they are worth that extra expense compared to UT Dallas. If she (or her family) can’t justify a premium that large, even after “self help” kicks in, then they’ll need to chase any big merit scholarships that remain available (or else go with UTD.) In that case, we’re probably not talking about merit from selective schools like URochester. Rochester’s average merit award is only about $14K, which is way less than she should be able to get from n-b aid alone. Apparently the OP would need more like $50K in merit even to cover the FAFSA need.
@tk21769 , my D with lower stats was awarded 17k in merit from Roch, so I suspect this student would be awarded much more. It never hurts to run the NPC.
Re: Albuquerque - ABQ has a population of over half a million, with (I think) 1.5 mil in the greater metro area. It’s not at all isolated, remote or small town. At 5,000 feet, it’s a cooler, drier climate than many parts of Texas. It snows a few times during the winter, you have four distinct seasons, and even if summer temps hit 100, it’s a dry heat and it cools off nicely at night. The campus has lots of trees, gorgeous blue skies, and mountain views from certain areas / buildings.
This post is for info only - not trying to be pushy about UNM. I just know more about UNM / ABQ than I do about Texas Tech / Lubbock.
UTD, btw - have you visited? - has amazing dorms and an equally amazing dining hall with excellent food.
I’ve posted visit reports for UTD, Texas Tech and UNM. Let me know if you’d like links.
I have a relative that just graduated from UTD as a McDermott scholar. He was accepted into several of the Med Schools he applied to. He is a very happy and well prepared first year med student.
Alabama - hot and humid
Dallas - hot and humid
Tempe/Phoenix - dry heat but VERY HOT
Albuquerque - dry but bearable heat for 4-5 months of the year, has four seasons
As for Lubbock, IMO, for quality of life, any of the above would be better. I’ve only passed through but it didn’t seem that enticing. Can’t speak to the quality of Texas Tech’s pre-med program, though.
Not to pile on too much beyond @DiotimaDM but Albuquerque is a good sized city with a metro area population of about 1 million people. Lots of shops and restaurants within walking distance to UNM campus. The airport is a short distance away. The hospital is right across the street. It has a BS/MD program (check deadline, may have passed). You would go there for free as a NMF. The application takes almost no time at all. Check it out.
UT-D is also a very fine option. I know a girl who chose it over a full ride at UNM, so a case could definitely be made for both. Another family friend is at ASU doing pre-med/Barrett Honors and is paying very little (or nothing?) to attend.
UNM has a great BAMD program, but it’s for in-state students only or my S would have applied.