<p>Ben...I know I'm not going to convince you...but only Chicago is "much" better than UF of the schools on your list. And even then, youre only talking about an undergraduate degree. I wouldn't be so quick to write UF off....do well, and you will get into any grad program in the country. If you sit down and do an honest cost-benefit analysis, you would be doing yourself..and your Mom...a disservice to be so hasty in your dismissal of what is a fine school. In any case, I know you want badly to get out of Florida, and I wish you luck in your efforts, but I would at least suggest applying to UF in case your other choices don't work out financially or otherwise. And even then, you may not get accepted....so you may even want to consider Florida State, which has a top-50 polysci program also.</p>
<p>I am not going to rally for Texas because I don't even go there but it would be no harder to go to college in Texas as DC and Boston. </p>
<p>Why don't you go further away? What is your reasoning?</p>
<p>All of my family is on the east coast, and personally, I just enjoy the Northeast much more than any other section of this country. Rogracer: It's not me being dismissive of what is a good school, I simply don't like UF, the campus, the students, the teachers, I've been there, I'm not going to settle for a school I don't want to go to. I'm applying to 6-8 schools so that I have options in terms of financial aid, and honestly, the EFC calculator says I can afford $1,500 a year, so I'm pretty sure I'll get a decent amount of aid anywhere, and if I don't, I'll just pay loans back to be happy. FSU, while not a terrible school, is 111 in the country, even lower than American, my safety school, which is around 86, I may apply to UF if I don't get in anywhere in ED/EA and suddenly fall in love with something there. I appreciate the advice, but I really don't want to be here...</p>
<p>Any more opinions on safeties? I've got enough matches/reaches at this point, but I'd like 1-2 more safeties to apply to that fit my criteria.</p>
<p>Urban
Mid-Atlantic/Northeast
5k-20k student body
Strong Political Science program
Debate Team would be great
Good Aid, need-based, and somewhere I can get merit-aid for my safety. :)</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>Anyone else out there? heh</p>
<p>have you thought about NYU?</p>
<p>You are being stupid for not applying to at least one financial safety.</p>
<p>How about Pitt? It's the right size, in a city in the Mid-Atlantic, has good poli sci, isn't too expensive, and your stats give you a good shot.</p>
<p>Yeah, Pitt's good, I just don't really enjoy Pittsburgh that much, not the best city. Hoo: Say what you will, I'm trying to find a financial safety, but it can't be in Florida, only if I'm denied at all 3 of my EA/ED schools will I apply to UF/New College of Florida, any other ideas since you're ridiculing me?</p>
<p>Don't be a baby I am just looking out for your best interest.</p>
<p>And if your EFC is only a $1000 or so, you will be dependent on scholarships. AU is somewhat of a safety, but you would be lucky to get that kind of money from them.</p>
<p>Yeah, I understand. Well, I think I'm dropping Chicago from the list, the app takes extra time and I don't think I'd end up going even if I got in. </p>
<p>BC - EA
GWU - ED
BU
American
Wake Forest</p>
<p>I feel as though 5 schools isn't enough, any financial/overall safeties you guys can recommend?</p>
<p>THANKS!</p>
<p>You should consider Emory. Atlanta is far from your typical southern culture city. Tuftfs, UMD, and UVA are also some choices.</p>
<p>Yeah, I actually was initially considering Emory and Tufts, but now I need safeties, and I went to both and didn't really like them all that much. UVA I was considering, but it's getting really tough to get into, and I'd rather have a financial safety that I know I'll most likely get into. Thanks though, I appreciate it. Any other rec's on financial safeties that I'll probably get into that fit my criteria....which is above.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I know that you did not want to go below 5,000, but you may want to consider Goucher.</p>
<p>I just wouldn't be able to deal with the small size, but I appreciate the suggestion, any other ideas? I looked at UMD - College Park since it's only like 30min from DC and is public, so I could get more aid if I applied for residency, etc. It just doesn't look like it's for me though, so....I don't know what to do, I really would like another school, that offers a LOT of merit/financial aid for students like me, lol.</p>
<p>Thanks :)</p>
<p>Do I have any chance at William & Mary, and any other ideas?</p>
<p>Well the reason I suggested Goucher was bcs I know someone who will major in poly sci and out of all of the schools he applied to Goucher was the only one that offered merit aid. He applied to American with similar stats to yours and he received no merit aid. I understand wanting a larger school though.</p>
<p>Yeah, I mean, I really appreciate that, but I'm just a "people person" and I wouldn't be able to deal with less than 4,000 or so enrollment, you have any other suggestions, ideas, even for matches that offer good aid, anything since I want to have more than just these 5 :</p>
<p>Thank you again</p>
<p>I did not read through this entire thread, but I think you said that you want to remain in the NE. If you want to apply to a school that is more geographically distant you might check out Tulane. I do not know anything about the poly sci major there, but socially it would be great and I know someone with similar stats who got 10,000 in merit aid and is going this September. Airfare will cut into that 10,000 somewhat bcs she lives in NJ.</p>