Hi everyone,
Before I start spewing out all my stats I would really appreciate that whoever sees this please help me out. As a first gen American my parents know as little as me so any help is appreciated!!
Alright so I’m from Minnesota and I’m looking to major in international relations/ foreign service.
My GPA: UW-3.84 W-3.95
ACT: 34
AP classes: Ap Calc BC, AP Human Geo, APWH, APUSH, APBio, AP Eng Lang, AP Gov, AP Chem, AP Eng Lit, AP Stats
Extra Curriculars:
I’m apart of Speech and Debate and I was awarded many regional awards and awarded top 10 best debaters in my state. I’m also captain of my team
I’m apart of HOSA and made it to nationals twice both sophomore and junior year
I’ve been apart of my student council for 4 years and running for President next year
Created my schools Girl Up club
I’m apart of NHS
And my schools junior rotary program and we were able to manually rehabilitate a sexual trafficking relief center
Now some of the things I’ve achieved outside of school
-After my Mosque was bombed in my area I worked hard to raise money and spread awareness to this tragedy and now my mosque is being rebuilt
-I’ve given many speeches raising awareness to Muslim Americans across my state
-I was invited to be apart of a United Nations abroad program that allowed myself and girls from other countries to study STEM for Social Good
-I’m also apart of Girl Scouts and was awarded my bronze and silver award!
So far on list is…
Reach: Georgetown, Tufts
Match: American, George Washington
Safety: U of MN
Any incite on my chances of getting accepted at my reaches is also v appreciated!!
American says that “level of applicant’s interest” is “very important”. Presumably, it wants to see “overqualified” applicants you like show it that you may choose it over Georgetown and/or George Washington if you are admitted to all of them. Otherwise, it may assume that you will not matriculate and put you on the waitlist.
Have a look at Macalester in your own backyard. Terrific IR and service placements.
Lucky you. Your in-state safe schools will be great for your potential major. Other schools that you may want to consider with strengths in your major are:
Barnard
Emory
Middlebury
Yale
Goucher (a safe private that offers merit aid)
I do think that you’ve got a good chance for both American and GWU, but the high costs of those schools could come into play. Be sure you demonstrate interest in the schools as @ucbalumnus mentioned, as well as apply to any Honors programs and/or scholarships that the schools’ offer.
Definitely include Macalester, one of the best colleges for IR.
For an additional safety, add Kalamazoo. Other good choices in the Midwest would include St Olaf and Grinnell.
Seconding Barnard and Middlebury (reaches).
Do you know your EFC?
Do you have a good guidance counselor?
W&M is strong in Politics, not sure about IR. Wake Forest has a great Washington program called Wake Washington. You spend a semester in DC, working at a Think Tank, Congress, NGO, etc and take seminars in the evening. Past speakers have included Andrea Mitchell, Madeline Albright, etc. They also have several study abroad programs that include IR classes.
Acceptance rate for SFS at Georgetown is much lower than for the College, and if SFS doesn’t work out I would put GW > the College at Georgetown for IR. Have you considered JHU? a reach, but great for IR.
ps: on some English quirks: “a part” not “apart”, and insight v incite
Dickinson is great at everything International, with excellent study abroad options as well. Lots of connection in the DC area for internships, etc. and it is only a couple hours drive to DC.
James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia (2 hours outside DC, 45 minutes to UVA in Charlottesville). My daughter graduated from JMU with a degree in International Affairs with a Middle East concentration. It has a Washington semester as well as study abroad opportunities.