<p>While completing college research, I had a tough time finding safety schools I really liked. If any CC'ers have suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated. :) </p>
<p>Description
I am looking for a school that is near/in a city with a strong focus on both politics and communications. Preferably, the school would have many student clubs and community service opportunities. I'd also love if the school was a bit quriky and had fun traditions (i.e. MIT and UChicago). </p>
<p>Objective Stats
GPA UW/W: 3.7/4.3
SAT/ACT: 2040/30 (I am retaking both of these in the fall. I didn't study for either the test the first time, so hopefully my scores will vastly improve!)
SAT II: Just took U.S. History and Math 2.
AP: U.S. History (Waiting for scores)
School Type: Large Public</p>
<p>Subjective Stats</p>
<p>[ul]
[<em>] Speech and Debate (9: Member, 10/11: Officer, 12: President) I also have several local awards and compete every year nationally. I have also won the team's "Most Dedicated" award several times. For the past 3 years, I have also coached another team.
[</em>] Mock Trial (9/10: Member, 11: Vice President, 12: President)
[<em>] Human Rights Club (10: Founder/Co-President, 11/12: Co-President)
[</em>] Environmental Club (10: Co-Founder/Secretary, 11/12: Secretary) We have done some incredibly unique projects. I also coordinated several volunteer opportunities, allowing members to earn 60+ hours of community service.
[<em>] Volunteering @ Governmental Organization (300+ Hours)
[</em>] 2 Youth Councils (Highest officer position on both)
[/ul]</p>
<p>Schools
Right now, I am looking at the following schools. I've bolded my top choices:
[ul]
[<em>]American University
[li]Barnard College[/li][li]Boston University[/li][</em>]Georgetown University
[li]The George Washington University[/li][li]Tufts University[/li][li]University of Chicago[/li][li]Wellesley College[/li][/ul]</p>
<p>Willamette is literally across the street from the Oregon state capitol and has an excellent political science program. You’d almost certainly get substantial merit aid and have the opportunity to do many interesting internships. Unfortunately Salem isn’t a large city by any stretch, although it’s a forty minute train ride from Portland (there’s a train stop near campus)</p>
<p>Brandeis and Tufts are often seen as similar although Brandeis is noticeably less selective.</p>
<p>Agnes Scott College - a small women’s college in Decatur, GA, which is 10-15 minutes outside of Atlanta. This school is definitely quirky and has a lot of traditions, but it also has community service opportunities.</p>
<p>Emerson College - an LAC that is devoted entirely to the study of communications and performing arts. It’s in Boston! They admit 48% of their applicants.</p>
<p>College of Charleston - a “public LAC” that’s actually in a large city (Charleston, SC). It’s actually medium-sized (just over 10,000 students) and admits 68% of students, so I think you’re a good bet in there.</p>
<p>whenhen: I will definitely look at Brandeis! I would much prefer to be on the East Coast. </p>
<p>XtremePower: That’s what I thought. Thanks for confirming!</p>
<p>Juillet: Emerson was on my list before, but I wasn’t a huge fan considering they don’t have super strong political ties (I want to double major in political science and communications, if possible.) I know they do have one of the only Political Communications programs in the country, but I’m afraid of being limited to just that field!</p>
<p>As for Agnes Scott and College of Charleston, I’m not really sure I want to be in the South! Both seem like great schools though. </p>
<p>Xiggi: Haha. </p>
<p>Any other suggestions? I’d love to hear them :)</p>
<p>I’m from California and lived in an exurb from Atlanta for a year (and went into ATL many times). Atlanta is not what I would consider Southern if we’re using the worst stereotypes about the South. Agnes Scott is a very strong school and offers cross registration opportunities with Emory.</p>
<p>Oh, my concerns were definitely not about Southern stereotypes. I will definitely take a closer look at Agnes Scott, since I’ve heard great things about both Agnes Scott and Emory :). </p>
<p>My preference would be around New York/Massachusetts/Washington D.C., because of family and friends that are close by.</p>
<p>Look at Northeastern. Right in the state capital, co-op program will give you actual work experience in politics and/or communications. Possible safety, you might even be a candidate for merit aid there.</p>
<p>For a school to be a safety, it has to be affordable as well. Will your parents pay all costs for whatever school you choose? If not, how much will they spend? If you don’t know, ask.</p>
<p>If they’ll pay for any school, then you’ll certainly have a number of choices.</p>
<p>Syracuse might be an interesting school for you to consider as a safety. Also, would you be interested in the James Madison program at Michigan State?</p>
<p>Since you /actually/ have interest in GW, it’s basically as easy to get into as American (which is easy). Your Why GW essay will make or break you. Don’t just say you like DC. (Same for AU).</p>
<p>mom2collegekids: This is definitely something my parents and I have been discussing. I am considering the Financial Aid programs at each college as well as need-blind admissions. </p>
<p>boysx3: I will look into Syracuse. I have heard great things, but haven’t researched it thoroughly. Also, I have not heard about the James Madison program at Michigan State. I will look into it. Thanks for your suggestions!</p>
<p>bookmama22: I will be doing school visits in the fall, and plan on including Brandeis. I already receive mail from Brandeis and have been following them I did research their SAT/ACT scores today, and at the moment, Brandeis seems like a high match at the moment. I’m not a huge fan of the Ithaca area, so I don’t think I will be including Ithaca College. Thanks for the suggestion!</p>
<p>Be aware that American University considers “level of applicant’s interest” to be “very important”. Basically, they don’t want to be someone’s safety behind the other schools in DC (or otherwise).</p>
<p>CSIHSIS: That is nice to hear. People from my school have had lower stats and received acceptance letters, and people with higher stats have received rejections. I agree that GWU focuses on interest pretty strongly, and it is something I will stress in my application. (Don’t worry, I wont make the rookie mistake of mistaking GWU for D.C.). Congrats on Georgetown. :)</p>
<p>ucbalumnus: I plan on visiting American’s campus. I definitely will put all my efforts into my application, as it’s somewhere I would be genuinely interested in attending. </p>
<p>Stressedouttt: That’s what I have been thinking too! I have some great ideas for my Barnard supplement, so hopefully everything works out okay. :)</p>
Does this mean that your family is really lower income, or that your family makes a moderate amount of money but has bills to which that income is applied. If the latter you should probably be looking at schools that offer good merit aid and not good FA.</p>
I would really love a few more suggestions! Thank you :)</p>