<p>Is it just my imagination, or is the only actual potential safety (in terms of certain admission and low net cost) that has been mentioned so far is Howard with the big automatic scholarship?</p>
<p>Erin’s Dad: I will look into merit scholarships more. Thank you for the insight, I am not too familiar with aid. </p>
<p>ucbalumnus: Howard seems to have a pretty big focus on social life/parties, which is not the vibe I’m going for. I would really like a quirky school with “nerdier” students (Correct me if I am wrong though, it seems like a nice school.) :)</p>
<p>politicalgirl , two of my sons just graduated from American (one with an undergrad degree, one with a masters) so feel free to pm me if you have any questions.</p>
<p>One thing I would suggest is that when you are checking out American, check out the various vehicles they have for you to explore your academic interests. The whole university if very internationally focused–it’s an interest that is expressed throughout all of the various curriculums available, but each of the schools at American varies somewhat in the approach.</p>
<p>When you apply to American, you apply to and are accepted by the University as a whole, although you do indicate your particular college of interest. Your expression of interest is completely nonbinding, however, and students switch among the colleges all the time, and double major/minor across the different colleges with no problem whatsoever.</p>
<p>I was under the impression that Howard has one of the lowest binge drinking rates of any residential, non religious school in the country.</p>
<p>It’s midwest not NE but Macalester otherwise works. More a low match than a safety. </p>
<p>Don’t worry about need-blind admissions. You want your parents to give you a budget. Then you (meaning you and your parents) can run net price calculators for each school and see what schools would be affordable. It will also allow helpful posters here to know if you need to search for merit aid and/or need-based aid.</p>
<p>boysx3: That’s great, congratulations on the graduations 
I really love American’s international focus. Also I am glad to hear about the double major across schools, as that is something I am interested in! I will PM you with any American questions. Thank you. </p>
<p>whenhen: Hmmm… </p>
<p>SlitheyTove: Great idea, thanks!</p>
<p>Like boysx3 said, consider the JMC program at Michigan State. It’s very well regarded. It’s also near Lansing, so you have the ability to participate politically. </p>
<p>If you do not do well with theoretical/abstract work, I would avoid it, though. My friends who are more practical ended up switching into majors like criminal justice, since they could get more hands on work. </p>
<p>[James</a> Madison College @ MSU | James Madison College | Michigan State University.](<a href=“http://jmc.msu.edu/]James”>http://jmc.msu.edu/)</p>
<p>Here’s their job report.</p>
<p><a href=“http://dev.csp.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/M-James-Madison-College.pdf[/url]”>http://dev.csp.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/M-James-Madison-College.pdf</a></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>I don’t think you understand what “need blind” means. Nearly all schools are “need blind.” That doesn’t mean that they “meet need”. It just means that they’ll admit you w/o consideration of need. But that does NOT mean that they’ll give you the aid that you need.</p>
<p>Your parents need to figure out how much they’ll pay.</p>
<p>Have them use American’s NPC and see what they say.</p>