Please help me pick schools! :)

<p>Another option to consider than is (if money is a problem in the end) to apply to state schools you like that aren't in Florida. It'll be tought to get in to some, but once you're in, you can apply for state residency and get the in-state price. I would say apply to a variety of schools since your financial situation is unique. That way, if one doesn't work, you have a second option.</p>

<p>I'm not the rep for Emory, but at least the Fiske guide says that the strongest programs at Emory are Business, Psychology, Natural Sciences, Political Science, English, History, and Art History. Also, although Emory is a Southern school, it has a reputation of having a huge number of students from the Northeast. Lack of diversity at Emory means that everybody is from the Northeast. The top schools in the Washington DC area are Georgetown, American and GWU. You already mentioned AU and GWU, and Georgetown is a reach.</p>

<p>I appreciate it, what does everyone else think of my list, and how would you alter it?</p>

<p>Also, what state schools along the east coast have strong political science programs?</p>

<p>^ Above questions, also, I want to make sure I'm fairly on target with these</p>

<p>BC - Slight Reach
BU - Match
GWU - Match
Chicago - Reach
American - Safety</p>

<p>So, I want to have at least 7-8 schools to apply to overall, I need 2 more safeties, and maybe another match?</p>

<p>Anyone, anyone, anyone!!!!!!!!!!! lol</p>

<p>UVA has a very good political science program... Charlottesville is a good college town but not "urban". Coming from out of state, it might be a slight reach for you, but overall I believe a match. They do require that you take (I think) 3 SAT II's though.</p>

<p>Sorry; just saw you specified "Northeast". If your willing to look a little farther south, I still say take a look at UVA.</p>

<p>^ Thanks, any other ideas?</p>

<p><em>hums to self</em> Anyone else, heh</p>

<p>have you considered Wake Forest? It's prolly a good match. It's in NC about 3 to 4 hours from the coast. Good school but I have no idea about the debating team although I DO know that they offer a number of presidential scholarships valued at $12,000 a piece. One of the main categories for this type scholarship is debating. You have to submit a profile of some kind. Definately worth looking into! It's a school with about 4,000 undergrads I think and has a beautiful campus. It is quite expensive but is known for good financial aid.</p>

<p>Hey Ben,</p>

<p>Forgive me for getting far off of your request, but I do want to make you aware of something, just in case: Florida's so-called "public liberal arts college", New College in Sarasota. </p>

<p>I know you want to get out of Florida, and I know New College is not big. But it can help you in two areas: the kids seem like the kind you might enjoy and I believe that you would have an excellent chance for major financial aid there. </p>

<p>I realize that this would be sort of a backup arrangement for you, but as most people know if one needs to go to a backup arrangement, then some compromises must be made. In this case, you would be compromising on some things but you perhaps would be doing well on other things.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you!</p>

<p>Yeah, I know about New College, I may apply there as backup, I appreciate the idea. Wake Forest is interesting, I'll be there in September for a Debate tournament actually and they have a very good team, I might consider it, thanks! Any more safety ideas?</p>

<p>Hey guys, any more suggestions??</p>

<p>Perhaps not then, lol..I think I'll be good with this</p>

<p>BC - Slight Reach
BU - Match
UChicago - Reach
GWU - Match
American - Safety
Wake Forest - Match?</p>

<p>Any help along those lines would be appreciated, maybe another safety?</p>

<p>doobie doobie doo, Anyone out there? lol</p>

<p>okay, no one cares.....<em>cries</em> heh</p>

<p>Well, just took my SAT's yesterday, think I did alright, but I'll probably do better on my ACT's.</p>

<p>It appears that you are in financial need, and I am sure you are aware of the Bright Futures scholarship program that you are likely eligible for....if you stay in Florida. From this perspective, it is truly unfortunate you want to leave the state, because UF or New College can offer you equal or better education to most of the schools on your list, at what is likely to be far, far lower cost.</p>

<p>^ Unfortunately, no, UF is ranked one spot above GW and 5 spots above BU, BC, and Chicago are MUCH better schools than UF, and New College is too small. The main factor is, UF and New College lack a strong Political Science program for me, and provide the wrong atmosphere's....35k+ students at UF in the middle of "the swamp"!! or like 1,000 students at New College, in the middle of nowhere, with no established Political Science program. UF also employs A LOT of TA's, and I'm not willing to go to a school that's going to use TA's as Professor's, that's just not right. I appreciate the advice, but I'm just not staying here unless UF suddenly produces a top 10 Poli Sci program.</p>

<p>University of Texas would be a good option for you. It obviously isn't in the Northeast but Austin is a very urban, hip city. It's very liberal and has a Bohemian feel. The Real World will soon premier in Austin. UT is strong for Political Science and has a good reputation overall. You probably won't get any $ from them, but the out-of-state tuition is half the cost of most privates.</p>

<p>I'll look at it, but honestly, anywhere beyond Chicago is way too far for me, (and even that's too far) that's why I'm not applying to any of the UC's or WUSTL, etc. I appreciate the input though, any other suggestions?</p>