<p>If you are limited to choices by family finance, then it’s time to think outside the box on major. Even if your college doesn’t have to “best” or highest ranked political science/international relations program, you can still get a good foundation. If this is your passion, it is then up to you to make connections with professors, pursue summer programs and internships, get involved or start clubs/organizations that follow your interests. Look at schools that let you design own major or do significant senior project that you can tailor to your interests. Finally, look at schools with cross registration at nearby institutions. D has friend who basically has minor in Arabic and the school doesn’t even teach it, he takes it “next door” at another college.</p>
<p>Same with the Arabic. If Arabic is important then you do need a school that offers it as a language option but don’t get hung up on not having an actual major. In the end, employers and grad schools will look at what you took, not what you call it. My D basically has a minor in psych from her school, but they don’t offer a minor…doesn’t matter…if she applied to grad school for counseling, etc they will look at her 18 course hours regardless of what you call it.</p>
<p>If you can’t afford the program you want, then you need to shine in the programs you have access to…10 years down the road it won’t matter where you started!</p>