When you start fiddling with the idea of colleges, if you are considering
pursuing science or mathematics in college let me put an idea in your
head. The universities where you want to do your graduate work are not
necessarily the only ones you want to consider for your undergraduate
work. Small liberal arts colleges often have extremely strong science and
math programs, and they offer the chance to work directly with professors
and possibly even to co-author papers as an undergrad! This is both
exciting and prepares you well for graduate school.
Many also are looking for strong science students. Skidmore College, for
example, a strong small liberal arts college in Saratoga Springs, New
York, offers the Porter Scholarships in Mathematics and Science (
http://cms.skidmore.edu/student_aid/porter.cfm ). Many schools have
something like this. So just tuck the three S's away in the back of your
mind.
Your allies,
The college counselors
