<p>I will be a college freshman next year and I want to major in International Relations.</p>
<p>I am accepted at Honors Program at American University School of International Service and Wait-Listed at Johns Hopkins and Tufts.</p>
<p>I don't mind going to American because I've heard many good things about their program (slight lack of prestige may be the only downer). Assuming that things roll my way and JHU and Tufts accept me in May (just a happy thought), what advice would you guys give me? (You know, being wait listed isn't the most fun thing. I guess it sounds stupid, but it does feel like I am a "fill-in" whereas American really wants me to come.)</p>
<p>What school would be the best choice in the long run?</p>
<p>Is money a huge factor for you? If you got into the honor's program, I'm assuming you got a scholarship as well. Prez scholarship? Dean's scholarship?</p>
<p>If Tuft's and JHU have waitlisted you, financial aid might be hard to come by even if you come off of the waitlist. </p>
<p>AU is a very good school and is ranked right below Tuft's and JHU. If you are a motivated student, then you're opportunities out of school won't be drastically affected by any of the schools. </p>
<p>JHU is a little outside of DC and students complain often of the inconvenience of getting downtown. AU has a shuttle that can take you to the nearest Metro station very fast or you can take like a 15-20 min walk to the station as well. Tuft's is in Boston, which is a great college town and a big city, but not DC.</p>
<p>Money is without a doubt very important. I heard people dissing Tufts' Fin Aid as bogus and although I don't know about JHU's Fin Aid, I assume by the time the wait-list is all settled, it probably has little money left to burn.
And yes, I did receive Presidential Scholarship, which covers most of the tuition ($25K a year) and after receiving other aids, the EFC ends up being about $8500 a year (which I believe is pretty good). I am really leaning towards American. Many people have high regard for it, especially in the field of IR.</p>
<p>p.s. You seem quite informed about the system at AU. Are you a student there?</p>
<p>No, I'm not a current student. I'm most likely headed there this fall. I've just gotten to learn a little about the universities in DC through CC discussions, conversations with current students, and visits to DC schools. I also got to visit Tufts in my junior year.</p>
<p>That's a very good deal for you financially. My EFC was 16K according to FAFSA and American met my need almost exactly. The 25K President's scholarship and 2K in subsidized Stafford loans. Talking with other prospective students it seems as if only those who receive the Prez scholarship get into the honor's program at admission, which I've heard is a lot of fun. </p>
<p>I've had doubts about AU as well because of their low national rankings according to USNews, but that seems a lot in part due to their small endowment (only about 317 million).</p>
<p>Realistically, you're right that it's very unlikely that you will receive any money at all from JHU or Tufts. I would consider American a sure bet for you unless you have other universities that you've been accepted to.</p>
<p>Yes my family's EFC was supposed to be 13~14K, but I have a sister who is in college now, so I guess that cut down EFC on my part quite a bit. And my sister is the reason why I was concerned about American's lack of prestige because she attends a very prestigious institution and I felt that I needed to live up to the expectation (which obviously sucks). But I guess I really don't care about that anymore now.</p>
<p>Are you planning on attending the Overnight on Apr. 21st~22nd? If you are maybe we'll see each other.</p>
<p>My family was also very intent on me attending a prestgious university, but then research and discussion eventually revealed to us that colleges selection isn't so simple. Huge amounts of debt can hinder you for decades. I was actually headed to the honors program at the University of Georgia until I got such a huge scholarship from American. Many of my peers are attending "prestigious" universities because their parents are essentially paying their way through. Yet I don't feel horribly disadvantaged; I've found a school that has a niche in the area I want to study. </p>
<p>Also saving money at American gives you some breathing room in paying for summer programs, internships away from home, and travel abroad during the school year, which are often more important to employers than school prestige. AU also has a very strong study abroad program. </p>
<p>Yes, I'm going to the honors overnight on the 20th and 21st. If you see a massive Indian dude, that's me. Hopefully, I'll see you there.</p>
<p>I guess I can call myself a little Asian boy (Korean to be exact). I'll check out American Forum more and hopefully I'll see you at the Overnight.</p>
<p>I think AU beats Tufts hands down anyday because as someone above stated, "Boston is not D.C." and that is the truth. Boston is cold and depressing... haha... Go to AU and geta good education because waitlising is terrible because you hardly get any money. I was waitlisted myself at a few schools (some of my top choices) and I just don't have any hope because I'm not independantly wealthy.</p>