<p>Hi, I'm just beginning my college search (at least my hardcore college search) and I'm really having difficulty finding the right schools for me. I've tried the Princeton Review's counslor-o-matic, but it seems to leave out a lot of schools that seem to have potential in my mind.</p>
<p>Asian female in Southern California, attend a prestigious public school</p>
<p>GPA: 3.9UW/4.2W (my school doesn't have extra point opportunites until junior year)
I've taken all honors classes since my freshman year
Currently taking all honors and 1 AP (again, my school integrates the curriculum instead of offering APs each year)
PSAT score: 220
SAT scores: most likely around 2100
ECS: Active member of the local Red Cross chapter for three years(within the red cross, I'm a part of the HIV/AIDS program, staffing two leadership development camps, a part of the CPR/First-Aid program, and currently vice president of our schools chapter. Red Cross is slowly consuming my life really), An active member of my school's chapter of the Junior Classical League (I'm running for state office next year and I've been really active for the past three years), A member of our school marching band and Wind Ensemble on trumpet, private lessons on trumpet, member of the Tournament of Roses Honor Band</p>
<p>What I'm looking for in a college...
- A strong international relations program or at least a strong social sciences program so that I can attend a grad school with a strong background</p>
<ul>
<li><p>relatively small (less than 10,000 would be good) I'd be willing to look at larger colleges though</p></li>
<li><p>I'm open for a school anywhere in the world although my preference is in the Midwest</p></li>
<li><p>Students who really love learning for the sake of learning. I'd really like avoid schools were everyone's only concerned about a good grade and not the actual learning.</p></li>
<li><p>Social Life? I frankly don't care if there aren't any parties/sororites/frats. I a geek school would be perfect</p></li>
<li><p>a music program for non majors</p></li>
<li><p>Financially, my parents make about 70K and the most they would like to pay is 20K</p></li>
<li><p>I'm completely open to smaller less known schools as long as they fit my needs.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Well, I thank anyone ahead of time. I really really appreciate this.</p>
<p>EDIT: I also forgot to mention that my first choice is UChicago, but obviously its hard to get in and so I'm looking for some matches (but additional reaches and safeties would be good too!).</p>
<p>A Californian who wants to come to the Midwest? You don't see that every day.</p>
<p>I would suggest strongly considering Kalamazoo college:
- strong international relations? 80% of Kalamazoo students study abroad
- grad school? 18th nationally in Ph. D production
- relatively small? 1360 students
- location? Michigan
- social life? no frats
- music for nonmajors? yup
- Financial aid? total cost is about $34k per year, both need based and merit scholarships available, every applicant is automatically considered for an award of 3k-13k per year</p>
<p>Kalamazoo is most famous for its "K</a> Plan" which combines study abroad, internships, and a senior project.</p>
<p>I second the vote for Macalester in St. Paul. My mom attended and it is second on my list. The IR classes I visited were awesome. Global awareness on the campus is impressive. The fact that it is so small yet located in a Metropolitan Area is a huge draw for me.</p>
<p>hey groenveld, why does american have a bad image? i mean im not doubting you or anything and i almost have to agree with you that american isnt up there with JHU and tufts. but what exactly is bad about AU? im thinking about applying...</p>
<p>IMO, there's nothing "bad" per se about American, it's just seen as a safety school (as is GWU) for kids who do get into the top programs like Tufts, Gtown, and JHU. Listen, you'll get a great education wherever you go if you invest yourself in it. Going to the top program will help you in that investment, but in the end it's up to you.</p>
<p>betterday55, I'm still in HS so I will let you know after I visit tomorrow night. Though I am a big fan of K, I am not actually a student there.</p>
<p>are you looking to take any particular language/s? student going into international relations generally also take at least one language, if not more. If you have a certain language you want to take, that is something to look for in colleges. You want to make sure the school offers advanced levels in the language you are interested in.</p>
<p>i am also a junior looking for schools that are good in international relations/international business. Some programs that I looking into are Georgetown, Tufts, JHU, and Penn's Huntsman Program. I need more match/safety schools though. Does anyone have any ideas. I am taking German right not and I love it. I will definately continue it in college and I am thinking of going to Germany for winter term next year and to defer college for a year in Germany. Are there any schools with particularily amazing German programs. In college I am also thinking of picking up Arabic/Chinese and an African language. Are there any schools that sound good for me?</p>
<p>Brown, American, George Washington, Tufts, Georgetown, Lewis and Clark, Mount Holyoke, University of St. Thomas, Claremont Mckenna are all really good schools for IR.</p>
<p>betterday55--Although K College has its share of quirky types, I'd say all types are represented. There's a nice mix of students for a school of its size. My S. currently is a freshman and he's NOT what I would call the quirky type...lol.</p>
<p>btw can anyone tell me what the USNEWS IR undergrad rankings are ? That would be cool.</p>
<p>The question about American's image is a easy one. American is seen as a safety IR school by most people, but it has actually been said to be the best IR undergrad program and to have the biggest and most comprehensive IR program on this side of the atlantic and so i don't know which is true, but this just describes the minute controversy here.
Cheers</p>