<p>I've been reading the messages about good Poli Sci undergrad programs, but I have a son who is just coming into his own after years of underachieving. He loves Cornell but it's a big reach to say the least. So far I've only seen reference to Poli Sci programs at large schools or the top tier of LACs. Any other suggestions? Vitals for him are: cum gpa not worth mentioning (see above), current semester gpa 4.0 weighted, act 27 on first try, taking again next month, big into JSA, going to their summer school at Georgetown and then staying in DC to be a Congressional page. Spent two years living in Japan, now studying Chinese. He's engaging and bright and I think he really needs schools that interview so they can meet him and get beyond the stats.</p>
<p>Have you considered Washington and Lee? It’s a small LAC that has a law school as well. Law isn’t exactly political science, but the two are quite closely related so perhaps this could benefit his undergraduate experience in some way? It’s a small school so they might be more willing to overlook blemishes in the GPA, etc. Also, Lexington isn’t too terribly far from D.C.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip, OscarandBosie; we’ll look into it. His list so far (and this is really rough and in no particular order) is Cornell, Elon, GWU, William and Mary, Whitman, Drexel, VT, Johns Hopkins, and Willamette. Elon is a bit of an outsider, but we visited there last summer when his brother was college hunting and he really liked it. The same goes for VT. And I forgot that he’s incoming student body president at his HS of 1100. Oops.</p>
<p>Uhm LACs for political science I’ve heard good things from Colby and hamilton.</p>
<p>Bowdoin, Holy Cross, Colgate.</p>
<p>Rhodes. ACT is a match, and GPA can be explained. Mock Trial team (if you’re into that kind of thing) is one of the best in the nation. A lot of alumni in D.C. - my wife’s roommate from Rhodes was the youngest female congressional chief of staff. Good research opportunities; one of my students presented research on election systems in Las Vegas last year. It’s in the middle of a large city, so there are a lot of opportunities to get involved in government as a student. There’s a very strong study abroad program to complement what you learn state-side. International Studies program is also strong and has a good relationship with PoliSci.</p>
<p>I agree that Rhodes is a great school that is just now starting to get the attention it deserves on a national scale. Though Memphis is not a “large city.”</p>
<p>Claremont McKenna and Kenyon come to mind</p>
<p>Poli sci? Macalester.</p>