Help me find better match schools? - International Relations/Political Science

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a rising senior caught up in all the madness of getting ready for college applications.
The only problem is, I seem to find myself concentrating on only schools that I know have strong programs in the majors that I am interested in - and the majority of these schools are pretty difficult to get into. My list is currently reach heavy, so I'm looking for some school that would be more in line with my current stats.</p>

<p>I'm pretty set on majoring in international relations/affairs and conflict studies or political science with a minor in German or another language. Probably business or law school after, or a five year masters program.</p>

<p>I'm a white female NJ resident (I know we're overrepresented) and while cost is not the biggest issue, merit based aid is a huge plus. I also want to stay in the Northeast, not further south than Virginia. I'd love a city school, but I could also see myself at a more rural campus.</p>

<p>The schools that I have on my list now are:
American University
Georgetown
George Washington University
UMD – College Park
NYU
Cornell
College of William and Mary
UVA
University of Michigan
University of Chicago
Rutgers NB</p>

<p>GPA: 3.97 UW, 4.49 W
Rank: 12/~370</p>

<p>SAT I
Math: 730
Critical Reading: 690
Writing: 660
1420/2080, Taking again in October</p>

<p>SAT II 710 Lit; Taking German w/Listening and Math II in November</p>

<p>4 – AP Statistics</p>

<p>Took all honors classes throughout high school, APs you can take are limited until you are a senior because of prerequisites
Senior Schedule: AP German, AP Literature, AP Government, AP Calculus, Honors Wind Ensemble, Honors Business Practice</p>

<p>ECs:
- Heavily involved with school music program: Honors level wind ensemble (3 years), Marching band (4 years - Percussion Captain 3 years), Musical pit by audition (3 years)
- Student Government: VP elected all four years
- Red Cross Club ~40 hours/year various activities
- National Honors Society: Public Relations Officer
- German Club and Exchange: Treasurer
- German Honor Society
- People to People Student Ambassador to Europe
- Tutoring: about 10hrs/month through sophmore and junior school years
- Swim team (9 and 10)</p>

<p>***I have worked 20 - 40 hours a week in the summers since seventh grade at a local farm. More recently, I have worked a ~25 hours weeks through the school year as Front Office Staff in a Physical Therapy Center, in addition I have lifeguarded this summer as well.</p>

<p>This fall I will be working on a local political campaign for the House of Reps as well :)</p>

2

<p>Definitely check out Lafayette College</p>

3

<p>Thanks - I will :)</p>

4

<p>Your stats and interests are very similar to mine. However, I can’t really help you as I have the same problem of a top-heavy list. Really the only reason I’m posting is so that this will have a star and I can see what people say to you.</p>

5

<p>This won’t solve your top-heavy problem, but I think you should add Tufts since it has a very strong IR program. I’d remove Cornell.</p>

6

<p>I agree that Tufts should be on the list. Johns Hopkins has a strong IR program too. I know they are both reaches. Probably not a lot of help to you.</p>

7

<p>University of Rochester has a strong IR program and is also good with merit money. Best of luck!</p>

8

<p>University of Richmond</p>

9

<p>bump?</p>

<p>Update: added AP Macro to senior schedule in addition to current classes.
Just finished killer essays for Georgetown, but I’m still looking for non reaches/top schools…
any other suggestions?</p>

10

<p>TCNJ, Northeastern, BU, Syracuse</p>

<p>To get merit aid, you will have to be at the top of the applicant pool for the school. This thread will give you an idea of how generous with merit aid some schools are, giving indications of what percentage of students get merit aid. </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/696637-merit-aid-percentage-common-data-set.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/696637-merit-aid-percentage-common-data-set.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

11

<p>Thank you so much! my list has actually decreased, I’ve eliminated GWU, UChicago, UVA, Cornell and UMD.</p>

<p>I’ll definitely look into Northeastern and BU, and TCNJ is a possibility (but since its like ten minutes away from me I’m not really considering it).</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

12

<p>another update:
2160,
740 writing, the others stayed about the same.
i know a lot of schools dont look at writing but…</p>

13

<p>I’m similar to NulliSecundus, and I want to major in the same thing, except with linguistics or French, but all my suggestions have been mentioned all ready :)</p>

14

<p>I’ll second Rochester and Tufts. GWU and UMCP both have strong IR and/or Political Science programs, and do offer some merit money, so I’m surprised you’ve cut those. For UMCP, you’d have to have your application in by Nov 1 for a shot at merit money. </p>

<p>Pitt has an IR or International Studies program though its honors college. They offer merit money, but your best shot is to apply early (as in right now) because they are rolling admissions.</p>

15

<p>I toured both GWU and UMCP and I didn’t like the way the schools were laid out, they just didnt feel right. Thanks (:</p>

16

<p>Take a look at Macalester. It’s an urban LAC with strong international relations (Kofi Anan was a graduate), and New Jersey girls won’t be over-represented. They also give good financial aid, have a strong studies abroad program, offer German studies (and have a German House), and 12% of the student body is international. It’s a match with your stats. And although it’s not in the NE, finding cheap flights in and out of Minneapolis shouldn’t be too tough.</p>

17

<p>Wheaton College, Norton, MA </p>

<p>[Majors</a> & Minors – Academics | Wheaton College](<a href=“http://wheatoncollege.edu/academics/majors-minors/]Majors”>http://wheatoncollege.edu/academics/majors-minors/)</p>

18

<p>I’d suggest Dickinson College. Very strong on languages and international studies, with a great abroad program, and you’d be in the running for merit aid with your stats.</p>