<p>@LakeWashington Georgia Tech was already on my list, but I’ll try to learn more about their political science department!
@Midwestmomofboys I’ve had the talk with my family and looked at according to some financial calculators, my EFC is pretty close to 0…not sure if that’s good? Regardless, thanks for your advice!
@Saachi I’ve received a lot of mail from WUSTL and had been wondering if I should apply, but I’ll definitely consider applying to them now! </p>
<p>Look at all the ivy leagues. They are all equally good in political science </p>
<p>EFC 0 means you’ll need a school where you’re in the top 10% of applicants or a 100% need school.
This is a website for 1st gen students and it lists the 61 schools (highly selective to very selective) that cover high financial need.
<a href=“Colleges with Need-Blind Admission for U.S. Students”>Colleges with Need-Blind Admission for U.S. Students;
<p>For a high stats student like you with a low EFC, one of the somewhat surprising things is that it will likely be cheaper for you to attend a more selective school than a less selective school. (For students chasing merit aid, it is usually the other way around.) The most selective schools typically have financial aid packages that include less loans than mid-selectivity schools have. The link posted above gives some great info, and in some cases specifically mentions treatment of loans.</p>
<p>You will probably want to apply to a lot of schools, since the acceptance rates at these selective schools are very low, and admissions results are unpredictable.</p>
<p>@KiaraInNYC Daunting, but I’ll try my best to do that!
@MYOS1634 Thanks for the link!
@sacchi I’ll make sure to do that!</p>
<p>Stanford meets need, as Stanford determines need…check their Net Price Calculators. They have a fantastic political science department, but had the lowest admission rate in the nation this year, so obviously you can’t count on them, and should apply to a number. Reaches, matches and safeties. Both academic and financial.</p>
<p>BTW, with an approximately zero family EFC, you will probably be eligible for application fee waivers at many schools. Also, it is worth looking into Questbridge.</p>
<p>^great idea sacchi.
Get your fee waivers for ACT, SAT, SAT Subjects, and NACAC waivers, before the end of the school year.
Look into Questbridge (there is a forum here).</p>
<p>Berkeley isn’t so much left leaning as having long careened widely left, but most academia is somewhat left leaning in the UCs imho. Problem is I don’t know what aid they will give you out of state, typically there is a $23000 out of state differential they DON’T cover (although I think there might be exceptions.) You may find Stanford less expensive, but there is the getting in part. Also Princeton, ditto.</p>
<p>if you want to apply to WashU, start by filling out the “request info” questionnaire. You’ll think: but I already get info (since they send you all that stuff). But: in fact, these brochures come from third parties that have been tasked with sending that stuff automatically to any kid within a reasonable area whose test scores put them within range. So, in reality, Wash U’s never heard of you. And if you apply as a “stealth applicant”, they’ll consider you’re not seriously interested in them. So, fill out the “request info” form (this is sometimes called “join the mailing list”) right now, and, presto, you’ve demonstrated “early interest” (which is very good).</p>