<p>So here's the story. I figure myself average or maybe very slightly above average. I've gotten several B's throughout my HS career (no C's... YET), a couple of APs, and haven't taken the ACT yet but am expecting about a 30. </p>
<p>I'm looking at majoring in International Relations.</p>
<p>My top school is GWU (heart of DC) and the opportunities that that city will provide me could be limitless. Not to mention I'm only 2 and 1/2 hours from there so could easily make it home in case of an emergency or for the (hopefully very) occasional weekend trip.</p>
<p>I also love Rochester. The 5th year tuition free is SO COOL. I love the idea behind it, learning for the sake of learning. And everyone I've talked to about it has spoken very highly of it (although I've heard less than complimentary things about the city of Rochester, itself). </p>
<p>Also considering:</p>
<p>Tulane
Michigan State
Michigan
William & Mary (in-state)
University of Tennessee- Knoxville
Fordham (NYC could provide several opportunities for me, but the extra cost of living there could cause it to be difficult).</p>
<p>Finances are VERY important. We're making ~50,000 a year and can't afford that in tuition alone. Does anyone have any experience with these schools and could tell me what they think of them? Feel free to throw out any other options, I'm always open. Distance is not an issue, but a days drive from Virginia would be optimal.</p>
<p>Where are you from? Cuz if you're from outside Michigan, that OOS tuition could get very pricy. And with your grades UM is probably a reach anyway.</p>
<p>I'd focus on first semester senior year grades, and essays. Those are really the hidden gems of the application.</p>
<p>I think you would do well applying to Rochester - their merit aid programs are top notch, and it looks like you might get need-based aid as well. Don't sweat the "B's" too much, if you are taking the most rigorous courses available and get those B's, it isn't that bad...study for that ACT though to get in the middle 50% for those schools</p>
<p>Don't know your stats fully or your resume, so I don't know where you are going to be in terms of merit money. Being from VA, you have some excellent in state options at bargain prices. So right there, you can pick your financial safeties. As far as GW goes, it is as expensive as Fordham, and the chances for merit money are less, in my estimate. Don't remember if GW will pay 100% of need. UMich is very expensive for OOS, and they do not guarantee paying full need. I suggest you pick some schools that guarantee 100% of need a few that have good merit money for those up there in stats (if you are in that category) and some state schools where you are guaranteed low cost. That should pretty much cover your needs. NOt a problem to throw GW in there and hope that the will cover your need. Fordham, too is a good bet. Research what Mich State gives OOSers at your ACT level. That will probably determine your package there.</p>
<p>CIA:
Based on what you mentioned, your choice is clear. W&M.
No schools in your list peers with W&M in academics except Michigan but that is out of the question because it is simply too expensive for out-of-staters. If you are restricted by the financial condition of your family, then you should consider in-state schools.</p>
<p>The opportunities at GW and American for IR-related in-term internships and better access to summer employment/internships are vast, and put them in a different league than all the other schools on your list, if those are important to you. </p>
<p>Failing those, for cost/benefit, I agree that W&M is the logical choice.</p>
<p>These rankings were published in the March/April 2007 Issue of Foreign Policy Magazine. Rankings are rankings - take with a handful of salt. (They came from a survey of IR academics and professionals).</p>
<p>Top 20 Undergraduate Programs</p>
<ol>
<li>Harvard University 48%</li>
<li>Princeton University 46%</li>
<li>Stanford University 30%</li>
<li>Georgetown University 28%</li>
<li>Columbia University 28%</li>
<li>Yale University 23%</li>
<li>University of Chicago 21%</li>
<li>University of California-Berkeley 12%</li>
<li>Dartmouth College 11%</li>
<li>George Washington University 10%</li>
<li>American University 10%</li>
<li>University of Michigan 9%</li>
<li>Tufts University 8%</li>
<li>Swarthmore College 8%</li>
<li>University of California-San Diego 8%</li>
<li>Cornell University 6%</li>
<li>Brown University 6%</li>
<li>Williams College 5%</li>
<li>Duke University 5%</li>
<li>Johns Hopkins University 5%"</li>
</ol>
<p>W&M is very competitive even for in-state students. I think it will be even more so next year. For my son's high school, everyone who got accepted to UVA, W&M attended (the only ones who didn't got scholarships to other schools). UVA was over-enrolled this Fall so they might have to adjust their acceptances this year. Don't know if W&M experienced the same thing but they are a much smaller school than UVA. Does your guidance dept. have the Naviance system -- if so, check to see the stats of the kids who got accepted/denied from your high school.</p>
<p>George Mason -- most of the kids who can afford to stay in the dorms do so. My neighbor's son is going to George Mason and he is staying in the dorms (he is less than an hour away from home). It was the same with another friend's daughter. Mason's reputation as a "commuter" school is changing (although slowly).</p>
<p>hey CIA I'm not a parent (obviously) but I do know a lot about GW also (as my top 2 choices in April once admitted were Michigan State and GW). I also stayed on the GW campus dorms over the summer. If you would like I could give you the pros/cons of each uni. in my eyes. :)</p>