<p>Since Im fairly certain that I have little to no chance of attending my dream college (for now) or any of the "reaches" I applied to, Its time for me to get real.
Im planning to study Economics (with a minor in math preferably) and enroll in a good graduate program after Im done with my Bachelor . This is a list of my "securities", colleges that I can definitely get into and afford with no hustle. </p>
<p>University of Wyoming
Eastern Oregon University
Bemidji State / Moorhead /Monkanto/ Southwest Minnesota State University
Dakota State Uni / South Dakota State</p>
<p>I know, I know, this is not your typical overachiever's CC list but still. Any ideas about these schools and their economics programs?</p>
<p>Im planning to make the most of any college I attend but I would still consider transferring to a university with a better program If I managed to ace my way through my first year. Doable?</p>
<p>Can you afford all those schools? I know most are on the less expensive end of the scale but just asking. I think most undergrad Econ programs will be fine unless you’ve heard something specifically bad about the program. They all tend to cover the same range of information from similar books. Nothing wrong with transferring later.</p>
<p>Hey! Thanks for replying. I found the lack of replies in this thread quiet disturbing. </p>
<p>Yes, I can definitely afford those colleges without stretching my already thin budget.</p>
<p>I am an international applicant and Fin Aid is extremely difficult to come by if you’re not an overachieving Asian (No offense to the overachieving CC Asians, Im happy for you). Affordability is a very important factor for me, especially since I have another sibling who’s planning to attend college soon. I spent some of my HS years in the US but that’s not going to change anything. Just some background info. </p>
<p>My plan is to take some challenging Math classes to prove that I can perform at the highest level in college. At that point I can apply to transfer to a nice LAC with a decent Economics program (Swarthmore, Amherst, Lafayette etc…).</p>
<p>My concern is that attending the colleges I listed might hinder my chances of enrolling in a good Economics graduate program regardless of my grades. Is that a possibility?<br>
I could really use some advice right now.</p>
<p>I would do some research if I were you–contact the head of the Econ/math depts, and ask about how many of their graduates typically go on to grad school, and where do they tend to go? Ask about the size of the econ program, and then on the web sites, compare the curriculums. Look at the faculty lists at each school, sometimes you’ll find more depth at one vs. another. If you see a faculty member with an advanced degree from the type of school you are considering for grad school, email that faculty member and say you are a prospective student, with the ultimate goal of going to xx or yy grad school. Ask if they have opinions/advice–there may be research or honors opportunities that will help you stand out for grad school.</p>
<p>That might help you. I would think that (typically) the flagship schools (main school in a state) would have the best resources, (ie, Uni of Wyoming)…some of the others sound like more regional campuses. They may be great, but may not have as many aspiring to go on to grad school–worth asking about.</p>
<p>As long as you do well as an undergraduate I don’t think you will hurt your chances of being accepted into a good graduate program.</p>
<p>My son has considered U Wyoming but not for Economics. Although, we have not visited the school they have been very good about answering questions and providing the information we’ve asked for.</p>
<p>The state of Wyoming has invested a lot of money back into the university. Not all states have been able to do that in this economy. I did look at their Econ Dept website and it looks like a good program.</p>
<p>Excellent advice paperplane. Im not sure why I didnt think about doing that. Thanks.</p>
<p>Another question:
There’s a chance that I might be able to afford a better university after a year or two. Any thoughts on transferring from a “regional” campus? Things I should keep in mind?</p>
<p>What do you guys think about the other Unis I listed. Do you know people who are attending? Their thoughts?</p>
<p>For affordability, Truman State (Missouri) might work as well. It is a bit harder to get into, but it is a well respected public university with a strong honors and liberal arts focus.</p>
<p>Students do “transfer up” within state systems. If you have good grades and good letters of recommendation that would be entirely possible. But once you have your acceptances, do your best to choose a university where you feel you can be happy for all four years if the transfer plan doesn’t work out.</p>
<p>People get into good grad schools every year from universities like the ones on your list. In your particular case as an international applicant, you do need to keep affordability in mind for grad school as well. How are you expecting to pay for that, and why do you want the graduate degree?</p>
<p>Can you clarify…</p>
<p>Are you a senior in high school who has already applied to these schools or are you a junior who is looking for schools to apply to for next fall?</p>
<p>What is your budget?</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>@happymomof1 Damn! How did I miss this school? Do you know any similar decent schools that fall within the same price range? </p>
<p>“do your best to choose a university where you feel you can be happy for all four years if the transfer plan doesn’t work out.”
Spot on! This is the exact mentality im trying to get myself into. Its a win-win shot. </p>
<p>For us international students, its much easier to afford grad schools since more scholarships, grants, assistanships and government grants are available. I know people who got some impressive Fin Aid deals with a less than stellar undergraduate record. But as I said before, in a year or two, my financial situation will be improved and I wont have to worry about “stealing” my sibling’s college funds 
</p>
<p>“why do you want the graduate degree?”</p>
<p>I enjoy academia and I love studying economics. And yes I know grad programs are rigorous, and yes I do know that a lot of Math will be involved. Bring it on I say!</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>What is your budget?</p>
<p>Are you applying next fall?</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids Hey there. Thanks for replying.</p>
<p>My Highschool grade is equivalent to a 3.16 Gpa (at my home country), although the program is known to be much more rigorous than the American educational system. </p>
<p>SATI: Reading: 760, Math: 620, Writing: 650. (I was panicking the entire test, Im retaking it)
SATII: French 800, MathII 680 (meh)</p>
<p>EC’s: I graduated last summer and Im currently taking a gap year. I was in school student council (president few times), debate team, Soccer and Handball varsity. Im currently volunteering at a local orphanage where Im teaching French on Weekends, well french learning activities but still. Im also studying German at a Language institution (Beginner level).</p>
<p>Forgot to answer some of your questions:</p>
<p>Something like 15000-20000 a year would be fine (tuition and board). If the program is worth it, I might manager to squeeze in few more grands, but I’d rather not. No bible colleges though, lol
In two years, I’ll probably be able to afford 35000 a year.</p>
<p>Yes, Im applying next fall.</p>
<p>Is that your weighted GPA? If you can have a weighted GPA of about 3.5 (cum) by the end of junior year, you probably could get some merit aid which would add to your budget.</p>
<p>Right now, your CR + M is a 1380…if you could get that to a 1400, that would even be better for merit chances. </p>
<p>What is your weighted GPA? If your school doesn’t weight GPA, would your GC be willing to write a weighted GPA on your transcript?</p>
<p>I would avoid any commuter schools or suitcase schools…you’ll be too lonely on weekends.</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids </p>
<p>Well, we were graded on a /20 scale. A grade equivalent to a 3.16 GPA earns a High Honors. And yes, it is already weighted in my (translated) transcript.<br>
Im retaking the SAT soon hoping for a better score. Fingers crossed!
Thanks for the tip even if it’s the least of my concerns right now 
You say empty campus, I say Urban Exploration time.</p>
<p>I appreciate the help.</p>
<p>Three good search engines are:
[College</a> Search - College Confidential](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search/]College”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search/)
[College</a> Search - Find colleges and universities by major, location, type, more.](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board)
[College</a> Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics](<a href=“http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/]College”>College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics)</p>
<p>Each of them searches using somewhat different criteria, so I suggest running all of them. If you haven’t already paid a visit to your local office of EducationUSA, I’d suggest doing that. The counselors there usually are very savvy about which colleges and universities are most likely to admit students from your country. [EducationUSA</a> - Find an Advising Center](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.info/centers.php]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.info/centers.php)</p>