Hello all,
My dream is to be in the foreign service. I’m planning on study international relations and economics/history/polysci/compsci/environmental science with a minor in Russian. So, should I choose American or William and Mary? I LOVE William and Mary, but American might have better career prospects. What do you think?
Are you accepted to both of these universities? Or are you trying to decide on an ED school? Also, have you considered Georgetown? And are you a Virginia resident?
@brantly thanks for replying! I have not yet applied to either. I know I’m jumping the gun, but I want to know which one I should apply early decision to. Yes, I love Georgetown!!! If I could afford it (financial aid?), it would be my first choice. And I live in Florida
If you can’t afford Georgetown, you can’t afford American. They are both private schools. W&M will be a tiny bit less expensive since it is a state school, but you will be paying out-of-state tuition, so total cost of attendance approaches private school pricing.
Go to the websites of each of these schools and run their Net Price Calculators to get an idea of what each of them would cost you. Remember, if you apply early decision you are obligated to enroll if you are accepted. So your job right now is to be 110% sure of your college finances.
Omg you sound just like me! I’m from Florida, and I wanted to be an FSO all throughout high school. However, those schools are EXTREMELY expensive, and UF is a better school than American (and the amount that W&M is better than UF doesn’t justify the cost). Also FSU has a great poli sci/ international studies major. However, you don’t really need to be a poli sci major or anything like that to be an FSO. You can major anything, as long as you’re very intelligent, can pass some strenuous tests, and have language competency, you put yourself in the best position. And even then, it is NEVER a guarantee so you should have a very solid plan B. It’s almost like saying “Oh I really want to be a movie star when I grow up.” Well, that’s great, but not only is it extremely competitive, but there is an uncertain amount of new ones needed. My dad was an FSO, so if you want any specific advice on that, you can message me.
Personally, I would recommend a state school if you don’t have a solid plan B. Because if you go to one of those expensive schools (I applied to both) with your one and only intent being an FSO, you’ll be in a bad spot, debt-wise.
Good luck! And if you have any more questions let me know 
Run the NPC. For most students, Georgetown would be cheaper than William and Mary due to being a “meet 100% need” school, whereas w&m oos doesn’t meet need and has very little merit.
What do you like about W&m?
What’s your efc? Can your parents afford it or is your budget lower than the efc number? Have you run the NPC on these colleges and discussed theircosts with your parents?
In general I’d say to go to the school you prefer. And many colleges have a semester “abroad” in DC program that students can do. But as to your specific case, why do you feel a need to make a decision before you have all the facts? Apply to the schools, see how the finances fall out (since you indicated you need aid), and then choose the best fit affordable college.