Hello! I’m just looking for any suggestions for schools that fit my bill, that are good in the science majors. I’m an A average student who took the hardest available course load, and my ACT composite is 30. Money wise we will be able to pay what is needed but the school with the best aid package is what we will likely take. Any fits? Thanks!
Based on the basic information you provided, Union should be researched. On several levels, such as for strength in chemistry and a student profile that roughly matches your own, the school could fit you well.
If you’re looking at being a science major to satisfy the requirements to apply to med school or a similar program then the best deal for your money is going to be your state schools. If you are thinking of entering a career in chemistry or biochem then you should understand the requirement for that career is a PhD.
This is my current list:
Duke
Vanderbilt
Northwestern
UNC
USC
Case Western Reserve
Emory
Wake Forest
WPI
Univ. of Miami
Ohio State
Fordham
West Virginia U.
Any comments?
Listen to “mikemac,” but add BM to a list of realistic options. If you are looking for employment with a BS degree, you might look for programs that offer Biomedical Engineering. . It means you would be adding more physics to your basic studies. WPI offers BM with concentrations in the ME, EE and Chemical Engineering directions. You might check, but I believe that Case Western does also.
See BM at WPI @ https://www.wpi.edu/academics/departments/biomedical-engineering;
See BM at Case Western @ http://bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/biomedicalengineering/#undergraduatetext
^That list seems all over the place/incoherent.
I assume that your home state for in-state tuition purposes is West Virginia?
For in-state tuition, that is a solid safety.
You have a number of out-of-state publics that will generally be very very stingy with financial aid… Ohio State and UNC are not going to give you “the best aid package.”
What are your preferences for:
(1) Huge Major research university vs. medium university vs. small university/large college vs. small liberal arts college? Larger universities will have more research opportunities, but there will also be lots of graduate students competing for professors’ time.
(2) Urban vs. suburban vs. town vs. rural/country?
(3) Campus culture? Big fraternity scene? Religious affiliation? STEM-focused vs. broad university?
(4) Region of country preferred? Region of country that is an absolute no-go?
@harvardandberkeley
My in-state is Ohio however WVU offers in-state tuition for Ohio residents. As I have enjoyed the WVU campus before I chose it as a solid safety; additionally this is why Ohio State is in my list as it too will provide the lowest tuition.
1)I prefer either a major research university or a medium sized university, for research’s sake. I tried to avoid the liberal arts colleges.
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Urban or suburban, as I live in a primarily rural area I want to explore a college in or close to the city.
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Sports culture is a plus, although I won’t be participating in any actual sports. I’m not sure if I want to join a frat but I do think that some social life should be present. Religious affiliation doesn’t affect me unless I have to take religious studies. I have tried to mix both some high science schools (WPI, Case) in with many broad universities as most of these schools are well enough in the sciences/chemistry-related fields to not gravitate one way
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I’d say that I prefer anywhere outside the midwest, but no no-go’s other than the Alabama/Mississippi/Deep south.
With respect to your interest in research, this Forbes article would be worth reading before you stabilize your list:
Union, for example, seems to regard research as a priority of its program:
@merc81
Thank you for the article and the suggestion. My main buff againt LAC’s was that most of them are so small that the “everyone knows each other” vibe in my high school would carry over (not that this is bad, just that I am looking for a change). I have done some basic research on Union College, which I was previously unfamiliar with, and actually like this school. However, my issue is with the Albany, NY area. I’m very unfamiliar with this part of New York and don’t know if I would fit in because of the size/isolation, and it would be hard to convince my family to take the trip unless I was already accepted to the college.
@tomahawk78 : I may appear to have advocated for Union, but that’s simply because the school fits the limited information in your initial post so well. That is, Union 1) would be notably strong for chemistry, 2) fits your stats (their middle-range ACT is 29-30) and 3) is well-funded in terms of your prospects for financial aid. Regarding their region, the Capital District has plenty to offer a college student, though Schenectady itself – excepting its potential for internship opportunities – might be of more limited appeal.
@merc81 I appreciate your insight and apologize for giving limited insight before; it seems to me like it’s a place I’d just have to either meet people from the area or go see myself. Considering that Union would be a great choice all around if I got in, I will try to make the trip up
Regarding your list as it appears in #3, I think you would benefit from reforming it with a greater proportion of matches (as defined by admissions prospects, affordability and personal preferences). URochester, for example, would nicely fit your mix.
(Correction, reply #9, Union’s middle-range ACT is 29-32.)
UNC-CH does pledge to meet need for all students (the list below can be helpful to consult in general):
Realistically, you should expect UNC’s admissions standards for out-of-state students to be higher, however.
@merc81 So I’m thinking that I should kick off some of the real high reaches (Northwestern, Duke) and add more matches? Also I’m learning that Emory probably shouldn’t be there either.
Yes, I was thinking along similar lines, although with the caveat that any deletions from your list should be made carefully.
As an exercise, look at Northwestern though. NU has both a low acceptance rate and a high reported ACT range (32-34), a combination that may make admission unrealistic for you. In my opinion, that “slot” would be much better occupied by a well-considered match school. You can review your entire list similarly in order to realistically determine which schools may be suitable for you.
The list stands at:
Vanderbilt
USC
Case Western
Wake Forest
WPI
Miami
Ohio St.
Fordham
WVU
Looking into the empty spots for more matches, such as those mentioned earlier (Union, Rochester)
For clarity, does USC refer to the University of South Carolina or the University of Southern California?
@merc81 University of Southern California
@tomahawk78
The first four on you second refined list, are Reaches. However, if your a junior you have time to retake and improve other aspects of your application.
@VANDEMORY1342 yes I am waiting for my scores from the February ACT and am also planning on taking dual credit courses next year and possibly over the summer to show more interest.