Hi!
I have hit a sort of road block in my college search. I’m a junior in high school from Illinois and am having a hard time narrowing down my list of schools. Here are my stats
3.95/4 or 4.55/5 gpa
33 act
Varsity track and varsity cross country
Spanish honors society
National honors society
Interact/ volunteering club equivalence
AP Human Geography (Junior year), macro, micro, calc BC, environmental science (Senior year)
honors classes that arn’t AP
plenty of Youth group volunteering as well as mission trips in the summer etc
I have looked at schools in Illinois and none have peaked my interest. I really want that out of state experience and I think that the east coast is for me. I want to apply to some of the top schools in the area but I just feel my extracurriculars and leadership are not good enough. Please be realistic you will not hurt my feelings. Ive visited George washington university and georgetown and like george washington better (maybe because i have a good shot of getting in). Ive also researched anywhere from the university of miami to Johns hopkins to columbia. Basically what are some schools that i have a reasonable chance of getting into. Schools that give out merit scholarsips are definitely given bonus points, but money is not that big of an issue.
Prospective major- Political science or maybe international relations
Do you have budget limitations? Public universities generally do not give a lot of aid to OOS students and the tuition surcharge for OOS can be eye opening.
You say that money is not that big an issue, but if you haven’t done so already, now would be a good time to sit down with your folks and crunch some numbers.
I agree with American. If you are considering IR you should look into Tufts (reach). And for a different kind of experience with a chance of merit look into Northeastern.
Fordham has non binding EA which is a great attribute for a safety school (you should have an acceptance in hand by Dec.). You would likely get some merit aid and might qualify for the honors program as well. Also second: American, BU, Northeastern and maybe add in Villanova.
Johns Hopkins and Tufts are not safetys but are worth looking into as well.
My parents can pay 25-30k a year. Not sure the limits but that’s what we’ve discussed. I also have been leaning toward private schools mostly because the out of state tuition for public is not that different from private.
Another vote for Villanova and Fordham but you need Financial Safeties if your parents can pay $25 - $30K/year. You won’t be in the running for Villanova Presidential but you might want to look at the Merit money available at Fordham. Would also look at Temple and Pitt - both places are good, urban, and safeties within your budget .
Fordham definitely gives out Merit money and Northeastern has a very good coop program but from my experience gives scholarships based on standardized test scores
St. Anselm. The New Hampshire State Institute of Politics is located there. Every person that has run for President since Eisenhower has visited or debated there. If you recall during the early debate season, several of the primary debates were held on campus. You would get a large merit award there. Small school with a national foot print in PS.
Erin’s dad you are correct I’m not too sure of the exact amount from my parents. I guess I meant by saying it’s not that big of an issue is if needed they could give me more money.