Undergraduate urban studies

I'm currently in my last year of high school, in Norway. The field of Urban Planning has really mesmerized me, and the more I look into it, the more I feel this is the path I want for my future.

I have already applied to the Urban Studies-major at three US-universities: UC Berkeley, Cornell and Tufts. Knowing these are all top-notch universities, with a very competitive admissions process, I don't think my chances of admission are too great. But, no worries. You see, this summer I'm going into a one-year military service here in Norway, so applying again next year won't be a problem. The back-up plan is to go to the University of Stavanger, which is the only higher educational facility with an urban planning degree in Norway. Getting in there won't be a problem.

But, I believe urban studies in the US will be both better, more interesting, more of what I'm looking for (interdisciplinary - energy issues, traffic planning and logistics, urban design, urban, community and regional
planning etcetc.). As a US-citizen (my dad grew up in Massachussets) which has lived his whole life in Norway, the idea of living in the US for some years is alluring. So, I would be grateful for any recommended US-universities/colleges, with a good undergraduate urban studies program - which would prepare me well for graduate urban planning studies. My grades from high school might not be quite good enough for the top schools like UC Berkeley, Cornell and Tufts, so, schools with a slightly more forgiving admissions process would be perfect...

Thanks :)