College selection help

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm an international student looking to study psychology or international relations/studies or some other social science, and I need help with the list of schools I've chosen. I've posted before but I've made some additions to my list and I want to get some opinions based on the things I'm looking out for, and maybe trim the list a bit.</p>

<p>University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
UMICH
UNC-Chapel Hill
Northeastern
University of Wisconsin-Madison
UT Austin
Whitman College
Kalamazoo College
Ursinus College</p>

<p>So thing is that I've lived in a city all my life so I'm not really sure if I can get by in a rural area as much as I like the idea. I'm looking for a school that isn't too big or too small. If it's big, it should preferably still have a sense of school spirit and community, and if it's small, it should preferably still be big enough (if this makes sense) or not excessively far away from the city areas.</p>

<p>Second thing is the financial aid. I know UMICH has little or no financial aid but it's still there because of it's rep. Although I'd like to know if it's worth paying through the nose for it's undergrad program. UMinn costs around 15K which much cheaper than most of the other schools. I've also heard that Kalamazoo and Whitman have great financial aid even for international students so that's definitely a big plus.</p>

<p>There's another problem which is the reputation of the school/program. I've heard great things about Whitman and Kalamazoo but are they internationally reputable? I have honestly not heard about Whitman, Ursinus and Kalamazoo before I started researching so I'm afraid about employment in the future, especially back home where I'm quite sure most people haven't heard about some of these colleges.</p>

<p>Other things I'm looking out for:
- Liberal, diverse, generally intellectual
- Good social scene (not really heavy partying and drinking, but just decent)
- Strong academics and faculty (particularly in my areas of intended studies)
- Good graduate/employment prospects
- And maybe a good study abroad program</p>

<p>Thanks for reading till here. Advice definitely much appreciated.</p>

2

<p>are you planning on sticking around in the US after college or going back?</p>

3

<p>I'm not really sure about that .. it would have to depend on whether I can get a job in the US. Although I think if I studied IR, I may want to go back home and work in the foreign service here because I don't think there are too many opportunities for foreigners in the US foreign service .. right?</p>

4

<p>Most American's have never heard of Whitman or Kalamazoo.</p>

<p>I'm surprised to see so many public colleges on your list as they cost almost as much as the privates but you get larger classes and fewer resources in most cases.</p>

<p>What can you afford if no aid is given? Where are you from?</p>

5

<p>Sorry I took so long to reply. I'm an Asian student. I think I may be able to afford most of them but it will be quite a stretch for my family so I don't want that. And if no financial aid is given, I think UMich and Northeastern may be off the list.</p>