<p>Disregarding cost and any other variables besides the quality of the program. Being in DC/surrounding is a plus for me, but not the be-all-end-all.</p>
<p>1) IU
2) Washington (St. Louis)
3) American
4) George Mason
5) William and Mary</p>
<p>Depends, really, on quality for what. What subfield of political science? Policy-oriented or theoretically oriented? What do you want to do next? Do you want to have small classes? On just a purely “overall” metric for these departments:
- WUSTL
- W&M
- Indiana
- America
- George Mason</p>
<p>If you’re thinking of applying to these 5 schools, then that’s a really weird list, and it doesn’t make any sense at all to me. George Mason and American are very weak schools compared to WUSTL and W&M. If you really want a DC school that’s good for political science, Georgetown is obviously your best bet followed by GW. Also, I notice that you have two midwestern schools and then 3 in Virginia/DC. You realize, though, that Williamsburg is a really long way from DC, right?</p>
<p>If you’re looking for Midwestern schools that are strong in poli sci, then obviously you need to add Chicago to your list.</p>
<p>^^^Michigan is top 5 in political science. “The” best in the midwest.</p>
<p>I’m from the midwest, hence the two midwest schools.</p>
<p>The schools, overall, are a mix of reaches and safety schools. I was under the impression that AU had a pretty good poly-sci school and overall program; is this not the case? Their website lists their School of Public Policy as top 15 in the nation.</p>
<p>I’m looking to go to law school post-poly sci degree, and hopefully one day get in to politics (as in a politician).</p>
<p>I realize W&M is quite a distance from DC… right now, W&M is my top school with perhaps an International Relations major instead of polysci. They are interchangeable (for me) and W&M’s IR program is top notch. </p>
<p>GW is out of my price range. Georgetown is another school I’m looking at, but I heard they are rather stingy on financial aid.</p>
<p>Indiana I take it and thus IU? Anyway, to emphasize, W&M isn’t anywhere near DC, I just want to remind you of that. It’s closer than St. Louis, sure, but at best, it’s “weekend distance” - you might drive up there some weekend with your friends, but you certainly wouldn’t be using DC for internships, etc.</p>
<p>So, you’re really interested in IR, then American does make somewhat more sense, but it’s really not a “top” program. As a safety, though, it makes sense. I don’t know your grades/scores, but on the basis of the schools you’ve identified so far, here’s what I would suggest for you.</p>
<p>Don’t bother with George Mason. In terms of DC schools, shoot for Georgetown as a reach - it’s where I go so I may be biased, but it’s clearly DC’s best school and the financial aid works out well for some people (not so well for others). American is a good safety, GWU may be out of your price range, but I think they give some good scholarships (not really to up to date on that, though, so you may want to check) and GWU is a finer school than American. You may also want to think about the University of Maryland, College Park. It’s on the DC metro, so you can get into the city easily, but a lot of people with DC interests ignore it for some reason.</p>
<p>W&M is a good school and has a good IR program. My sister went there and loved it (didn’t do IR, though). If you like W&M, you may want to check out UVA (comparable distance to DC and similar academic standing). Of course, W&M is smaller and has a different feel, but both UVA and W&M are pretty tough out of state.</p>
<p>If you really think you’re competitive at schools like Georgetown and WUSTL, then it also makes sense to try for an Ivy. I’d recommend Princeton. You may also want to have a look at Columbia.</p>
<p>I’ve got a perhaps average to slightly below average GPA, above average SAT (based on numerous practice tests), and other EC’s.</p>
<p>GPA: Probably around 3.8 to 3.9 weighted by senior year
AP’s/Honors: English (x2), History (x6), Psychology (x1), Math (x5), Science (x1), Language (Spanish, x1)
SAT: Based on my practice tests and PSAT, I’d predict 680-720 CR, 650-690 Math, and anywhere from 600-630 Writing.
EC’s: Published in a journal for a 7 page thesis/essay on American politics, Model UN, Boys State, published in local paper’s opinion section, worked elections for 3-4 years, volunteered at a social change organization for 8 mo.</p>
<p>I don’t think I’m in the Princeton level, though you tell me. I feel I may be overshooting my SAT’s a bit, but I don’t really <em>know</em> until I take them. How much would by outlook change with, say, 30-50 points off each SAT score?</p>
<p>It’s hard to say without actually knowing the SATs. The upper ends of those ranges make you competitive. The lower ends, not as much. The lower ends minus 50, not at all.</p>