<p>Hogwarts,</p>
<p>I agree with you - it is hard to get into the HPME program. However, if you are considering schools like Harvard and Stanford, you should have a good chance at NU HPME. In fact, HPME competes with these schools for the prospective students. </p>
<p>Regarding your question on undergrat, I’d suggest to set HPME as a stretch goal. If so, you need to prepare now. For instance, HPME requires multiple SAT IIs, including one in foreign language. It would be very stressful to get these tests done in the first 2 months of your senior year. </p>
<p>As for Michigan, I love this school. Don’t get the wrong impression of a state school in a financially struggling state. Its endowment at ~$6.5B is about the same as NU. Its new addition of the ex-Pfizer campus (30-buildings 174 acres) at the north-east edge of the North campus is mainly for biomedical and life science research, thanks to the vision of the UM president in the “doom” days of deep recession three years ago. </p>
<p>Ann Arbor is an amazing town. UM central campus and the town are fused together. Medical campus is located between the North campus (engineering, music, etc.) and the central campus. Visit there and you will love it. (But don’t go in Feb, it won’t be attractive with gray sky and snow everywhere else.)</p>
<p>There are abundant opportunities both academically and socially for undergraduate students at UM, if you are SELF motivated. After all, this is a huge school. For Premed track, you may want to consider a major in the LSA School (literature, science and arts). College of Engineering is tougher in grade - curved at 2.8 for average, which might inadvertently affect your GPA for future med school application. </p>
<p>BTW, I have no personal experience with Stanford, Duke or Harvard. I cannot comment on how well these schools fit your Pre-med needs.</p>