<p>My son wants to work in a "Think Tank" such as the Cato Institute. His first choice is Georgetown University, however the cost is prohibitive. We probably make too much for financial aid. What are some other excellent colleges that are more affordable? Say 20,000 a year in tutition?</p>
<p>At that price range, you’re talking about your instate schools. Consider your flagship, perhaps its honors program if your son qualifies, encourage son to study foreign language(s) - nothing is sillier than students wanting to do ‘international studies’ without knowing one foreign language! - year abroad + a very good grad school.</p>
<p>Some one with the stats for Georgetown is likely to get a Presidential Scholarship (half the cost of attendance) at American. My son liked American better than Georgetown.</p>
<p>Tufts (no merit money) requires fluency or achieving their Level 4 in a foreign language for their IR degree. That means taking the language every year if you start at the beginning.</p>
<p>“Think Tank” jobs usually require advanced degrees and/or a heck of a lot of networking or connections. That said, your DS will likely need an advanced degree and some years of work experience. Given that, he likely end up needing an advanced degree(s), so from a $ standpoint he should just go to a solid, in-state public school and crush it — then use the ideally great undergrad results to get into a top notch grad school.</p>
<p>Oh, and I looked up “Think Tank” just to make sure that I didn’t head off on an incorrect tangent: Definition — “A policy institute (often termed “think tank” by journalists) is an organization that performs research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, technology, and culture. Most policy institutes are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax exempt status. Other think tanks are funded by governments, advocacy groups, or businesses, or derive revenue from consulting or research work related to their projects.”</p>
<p>Nephew works at a DC think tank with a degree in Poli Sci from Denison, which gives merit money, not sure how much. He is not doing policy work at this time but plans to go to grad school.</p>
<p>I highly recommend the Croft Institute of International Studies at University of Mississippi. This is a selective entry program to which about 75 students per year are accepted. It is multidisciplinary and requires a high level of foreign language achievement by graduation as well as a senior thesis. Ole Miss also offers a selective minor in security studies which may be relevant. Croft, the Honors College, and foreign languages (especially the Flagship programs) are truly outstanding. Merit scholarships are phenomenal. I truly believe that my child is receiving an education comparable to Georgetown, Tufts and the like complete with small classes, high expectations and excellent professors at a tiny fraction of the cost.</p>
<p>Thank you all. Being new to CC I could not find my new thread until now with the new format! Son has been accepted at the University of Kansas honors program (home state). He did apply to the American and Gtown and has the stats. I would like for him to follow Ivyparent43’s advice. You described his goals in Think Tank perfectly. Agreed that he will have to have an advance degree. We shall see. He has not heard RD from either American or Gtown. It may be a mute point. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Congrats on his acceptance. And good luck with the ones you are waiting for - crossing fingers for good merit money!</p>
<p>Thanks for the update, and good luck to your son. Isn’t it nice to know he’s already on his way? </p>
<p>Just checked the Kansas Honors website and it looks like he can get a variety of Honors courses. Nice they also have an Honors Program (as does UW-Madison), not an Honors College. It looks like he can get challenging courses with good advising. He may change his focus once he starts college. It will be interesting for you to follow his path in the next decade.</p>
<p>PS- I miss the location identifier which would have told you my Wis to FL background.</p>
<p>George Washington, George Mason; University of Maryland; American University, University of Virginia; Tufts; Johns Hopkins, etc. are all strong in this field, but financial aid will depend on you family’s income and assets.</p>
<p>To Wis75: S has also applied to UW-Madison. We won’t hear about admission there until the end of March I think. From what I have researched. UW-Madison is highly rated and a few of my friends say it is beautiful…cold… but beautiful. We are waiting to hear if he will be named a National Merit Finalist and I think that will help.</p>
<p>UW is awesome- I’m a biased alumnus/mother of one. The Honors Program at UW is excellent- even better now than in my day (computer technology has made it so much easier to do more things). If finances allow choose UW over Kansas for the experiences and academics. The liberalness may scare some, but that in itself is an education. If he does go to UW PM me and I’ll be as helpful as I can.</p>
<p>It’s a deal!</p>
<p>important to consider there are tons of think tanks that do many different things… even in the “international” area there is diplomacy, development, defense, trade, etc etc etc</p>
<p>btw, there are federal government jobs that look at all of the same things as well.</p>