My goal: Political Science, would love to work in government or similar agency to make things better.
American (10 K scholarship x4, Net $56,212*
Pros: nice campus, DC available, lots of internship opportunities. Small class sizes. OK with liberal label.
*I am just using tuition, fees, room, board for my numbers.
George Mason: Admitted into Honors College, 14K in scholarships for 4 years + extra 3K first year. Net: 28K vs 31 K layer.
For some reason just viewed it as safety school and not looked into it very much.
Pros: I would have access to honors and internships in DC or other places.
Cons: I’d rather be in a more urban area. Larger class size. Little concerned it’s a party school? Can’t get its rep nailed down.
UMass Amherst: $1,575 K scholarship + instate tuition: Net: $29,248
Pros: UMASS is a good school and the Political Science department looks actually diverse. Could stay in touch with family & friends going to Boston colleges easier.
Cons: Worried it’s far from major center. Don’t know much about there political science program.
Neutral: Heard it can be big party school, but also heard from many that’s easy to avoid if not your jam.
I was hoping for GWU, but didn’t get in and got waitlisted at Holy Cross. I have a guaranteed transfer for Sophomore year at Boston University, which opens up options if I’m not happy where I am. American would be a stretch, like a big one, for my family. ? If it’s worth it. Want to have access to political involved groups while still getting my nerd on in free time. (D&D, video games, music with friends.)
Is there any debt involved**? if so, the one with the least debt is the one you want.
Pretty much all paths forward in the political science arena are predicated on un- or poorly paid internships and entry level jobs, and for many a (pricey) grad degree will be necessary down the line. Every penny of debt makes it harder for you to be able to take the internship/job you want. Political science is a well developed program pretty much everywhere, and irl none of the three will give you a meaningful edge over the others. You won’t be doing in-term internships at any of them, so that’s a wash.
Once you get where you are going, start developing relationships with profs and actively looking for internships (applications often open as early as the end of the year). If it’s UMass, work the DC semester into your four year plan.
(**also, if not, if you choose a less expensive college will your parents put the difference into a grad school fund??)
Based on costs, it sounds like GMU would be your best value: cheaper than American by far, access to DC and internships + personalized experience through honors, at roughly the same cost as UMass.
What are your educational goals? grad school or law school? If so go the least expensive route. My niece did get into GW law school from Mason, and spent her summer internships in DC Congressional and Senate Offices.
Well, George Mason is out of the running. They are only committing to 75% in person classes and not requiring COVID vax to live in campus like UMass and AU.
Note:
75% in person sounds about right even without covid – many universities offer online options and students usually take 1 online class per semester. It’s very different from having to take all or a majority of your classes online.
I do understand that after a year and a half of forced online instruction, you may be anxiously waiting for full in-person instruction :). In fact, while in the past there were always happy takers for an online option (so, typically, 4 in person + 1 online that students took in their pajamas in their dorm room…) there might not be this Fall! Rolling out of bed to go to class may never feel so glorious again 
Not requiring a covid vax is more concerning - email them to know whether they will NOT require one or haven’t yet decided whether they will or will not require it. I find it strange they would specifically not require it when they started vaccinating current students a week ago and are going strong.