[Insert Clever Witticism Here]

Applying to College
1

<p>Now that you have been drawn to my thread, I would like to ask for your advice.</p>

<p>I go to a small, rural school in the northwest. My guidance counselor is nice, but clueless. Because I am the "top" student (not hard in a class of 50) he thinks I could get into really selective schools. But I just need a generous financial aid deal for my family to be able to afford any private school. My stats are as such:</p>

<p>SAT: 2050 (math:630, writing:660 reading: 760)</p>

<p>Rank: 1 of 50</p>

<p>EC's: President of Science Club, President of Honor Society, Drama Club involvement for 4 productions, Hi-Q, Knowledge Bowl, WIN, Student Rep to School Board, Organized local version of Toys for Tots drive.
(A lot of stuff to keep me busy, for sure. But nothing incredibly special)</p>

<p>Awards: National Merit Commended (Whoopee!)
A bunch of class specific feel good awards that probably don't count for much.</p>

<p>Other: My school has limited resources. I designed my own AP World History program, but its basically independent study. About 5-8 people go to public universities each year, and to go to a private college is rare. Does a disadvantaged school count for anything?</p>

<p>Colleges: Ideally, I would like to go to a liberal arts college where I can study international relations and have my pick of foreign languages. I am planning to apply to Whitman, Lewis and Clark, Kenyon, and Reed, and a public school safety. I will also try Georgetown's SFS as my big reach school, because I love the majors they offer, and I love the idea of going to college in DC.</p>

<p>My Questions: Essentially, I am wondering about several things: 1) What other liberal arts colleges could provide me with a good international relations major and a sound financial aid package for a lower middle class family? 2) What other schools like Georgetown would be a good reach for me to apply to? 3) Am I realistic with the liberal arts colleges I have listed now? 4) What do I say to my guidance counselor who has been telling me to apply to Stanford since my freshman year, even though, after reading through this site extensively, I doubt I would be accepted there? (He says I'll undoubtedly be accepted at Georgetown. Sigh.)</p>

<p>Sorry for all the questions. I appreciate any advice you can give me.</p>

2

<p>I've heard that Tufts is also really good with the international relations field (Although I think it's also more of a reach? I believe it's on the same level as Georgetown? More? Possibly, from what I know although I'm not the most terribly reliable source). I'm also interested in international relations so I've been looking for the same sort of thing, have you checked out Macalester? Beloit's also on my list. So there's a couple more to look into if you're interested. I think you have good stats, although I don't know how much the school-resources-issue will hurt you.</p>

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<p>Have you run your family financials through an EFC calculator? This site has one. This will give you a fairly realistic idea of what your family will be expected to contribute. The rest will be need-based financial aid composed of grants and loans. Theoretically, most schools will offer this amount, but practically it may vary a bit. For us, it was consistent, although in the end the school was more generous. What was not consistant was the combo of grants and loans (because the university has discretion in giving grants in place of some loans).</p>

<p>I can't reccommend schools because I don't follow which offer this major. I wouldn't let that major stand in the way of a good offer, though. You'd likely be able to get into this field through related majors , work experience, Master's. I even consider it kind of a bogus major, but no matter--my point is a good education at a lib arts college won't keep you out of this line of work.</p>

<p>Some lib arts schools are especially well priced. Also, there are slightly lesser tier schools that will offer a big chunk of merit $$ if you are at the top of their pool so be sure to have those, they can be as affordable as publics in that case. Where have the 1,2,3/50 past grads from the last 10 years gone? That may give you an idea of selective placement possibility.</p>

<p>No way are you a shoo in for Gtown. You are simply in the running. At Stanford you have a shot because your stats are inline, but you'd be stronger if you had some kind of special EC, especially academic seeing as your academics may be weak at your school. Not sure how much a tip factor your rural school will be. Have you done 4 years math, 4 years science, 4 years language, 3 history, 4 English?</p>

4

<p>vanderbilt gives great financial aid</p>