merc81: Thank you for the reassurance. I admit, I was somewhat uncomfortable with the need-aware practice present at a few of these schools, but it has been lessened. So I thank you for that. The financial assistance I will need will hopefully be less of an issue when taken within the context of the turmoil that has been coursing through my family–death of a parent, raising my siblings and so on.
Houston1021: I will be applying to enter as a junior, though I would likely stay an extra semester to shore up some gaps in my language training.
vonlost: Yes, I agree. And that the schools would meet full demonstrated need is one of my criteria for the schools I apply to.
Publisher: Princeton would be a dream, for sure. However, as this cycle will be the first time they accept transfer students in quite some time (at or around two decades if memory serves), I do not believe applying to Princeton would be useful to me. Especially because every indication is that they are looking for more non-traditional students–those from community colleges and veterans. I attended a conference at Princeton last year, and had a fantastic time; it seems like a pretty extraordinary place, and the Classics department is superlative.
AGoodFloridian: I’m right there with you; it seems like a fantastic university, and I enjoyed my visit to the campus.