Before I finalize my list...

<p>I'm a rising senior (class of 2013) and I'm in the process of making my college list. I'm just looking for some suggestions off the top of you guys' heads based on my stats and what I'm looking for.</p>

<p>Stats:
-GPA: approximately 4.4 weighted, 3.95 unweighted
-SAT: 2170 (planning to retake; expecting my score to go up to 2250, possibly even 2300. I screwed up the writing section completely in a way I won't repeat so my score in that should shoot up 100 points)
-SAT Subject Tests: Not taken, but I will take 3 in October
-APs: So far I've only self-studied for two, US Gov (5) and English Lit (4). I'm homeschooled so APs are weird but my coursework has been extremely advanced and I will have plenty of space to explain it on the Common App. I have also taken numerous college dual enrollment courses, many at honors level, with straight As, honor society and outstanding professor recs to show for it.
-ECs include Girls State (I was a Senator and got the Outstanding Citizen Award), internship for a political campaign, 3 years of judo (green belt and board of directors at my judo club), a couple political clubs and homeschool newsletter (writing and editing)</p>

<p>What I'm looking for:
1. I LOVE politics and my goal is to work for a political campaign, so a great poli sci program is a MUST. Also required are plenty of campus political clubs.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I'm from Florida and looking for a change, so I would strongly prefer someplace where it snows and the leaves change. New England would be ideal but anything "up north" would be great. I'm pretty flexible though--if the perfect school were somewhere hot I'd still go there.</p></li>
<li><p>A city would be amazing. So would a beautiful, traditional campus. As long as it's not in the middle of nowhere, I'm fine.</p></li>
<li><p>I'd like access to political internships.</p></li>
<li><p>I'm more drawn to a university than to a LAC but I'd happily go to a LAC with a strong polisci program.</p></li>
<li><p>Access to political internships would be amazing. A location in DC would be a definite plus, but far from required.</p></li>
<li><p>I want to get a really challenging and interesting education that will make me think and be good preparation for a master's degree program, not merely be career prep.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I would appreciate if you would recommend a range of schools (safety/match/reach). I will definitely need a lot of financial aid, preferably full ride, but I'm definitely willing to apply to schools where merit aid is a possibility (I'm NMSF btw) and I'm willing to take out a few loans, but I'd prefer not to. Thank you!</p>

<p>Check out Boston College, seems like the school and the mission jive with what you’re looking for.</p>

<p>Have you tried the net price calculators at various college web sites to see if need-based aid would be enough at the colleges, or you would need merit scholarships?</p>

<p>From the colleges I know about, I would recommend American University in DC. It is a politically active school with good programs and from what the reps and students say great access to internships. It is also a beautiful campus and they do have different financial aid options including merit.</p>

<p>Tufts, Georgetown, GWU</p>

<p>Penn is a reach for everybody. But right now some members of an undergraduate class are at the Republican convention, and the other members will be at the Democratic convention next week. Faculty members are David Eisenhower (Dwight’s grandson and Julie Nixon’s husband), Marjorie Margolies (former House member), and David Thornburgh (son of former PA governor). There’s an article today in the student newspaper, the Daily Pennsylvanian.</p>