So I’m trying to decide what school to go to next year for poli sci/government. I still have not decided if I wish to do a double with IR or something like that although I am open to it. I know they are all good programs but I’m just looking for some input anyone might offer in making my decision. I am extremely torn.
@desenlaces Are likely to qualify for financial aid? If so, I would think that attending state schools as an out-of-state student is likely to be expensive. I would guess that your best bet for financial aid would be Cornell, followed by GWU then NYU. I haven’t heard good things about financial aid at NYU.
If you plan on paying full price no matter where you go, then I’d probably say you should just apply to them all and see what happens. You may find that the schools themselves make your mind up for you when they don’t invite you to attend.
I do not qualify for financial aid. I actually was already admitted to all of these schools and got a 20k merit scholarship for GWU all four years, and although it has the lowest ranked program out of the other options, there is the benefit of studying in DC. I just want some input in selecting a top two based both on FA and academics. @candjsdad
OK, then here’s my two cents: I’d think if you want to do IR that you would have more opportunities in an urban, costal location, so that might eliminate Michigan and Cornell. If you really want to be involved in American government at the Federal level, you will have more opportunities in DC than you will anywhere else. Beyond that, every study I have ever seen suggests that it is extremely unlikely that your choice of school between any of these five schools will make you any more or less successful 25 years from now. Pick the school you think you will enjoy the most and is the least expensive. Why waste the money when none of these schools can guarantee you an advantage over the others? Think too about where you want to live the rest of your life, because there is a good chance, even if you don’t see it now, that you will live the rest of your life close to where you go to college.
I think @candjsdad 's advice is excellent.