I was wondering if anyone could recommend any good small liberal arts colleges with good political science programs. I plan on becoming a foreign analyst. Claremont McKenna is my top choice, but I am also looking at UC Berkeley (cause its affordable and has a good Poli Sci program) and Bard College (as a safety). The quality of the program matters as well as cost. My stats are pretty good though, so I believe I would have at least some shot at almost any school. Just trying to find other good liberal arts colleges besides the Ivies and McKenna. So here are my stats.
Male Junior
Class Rank of 1
Sophomore GPA: 4.5
Junior GPA: About a 4.75
SAT: 1950 (CR: 720, W: 580, M: 650)
Plan on taking the ACT soon, I am actually studying for it and I believe the ACT is much more my thing so I expect to do better than I did on the SAT
Eagle Scout with a Bronze Palm
Water Polo - 3 years; we went to CIF each year
Swim - 2 years; went to CIF last year
Track - first year
Academic League Captain and MVP
Thespian of International Thespian Society
Extensive involvement in theatre (roles include Danny in Grease, Rooster in Annie, and Frederick in Young Frankenstein)
Winner of San Diego Opera’s My Voice in the Arts Contest
Those standardized test scores are a big factor here, and without significant improvement will rule out some of the more selective schools on this list (Williams, Amherst, Bowdoin, CMC).
A little less selective than most of the list, but perhaps Willamette in Oregon could be worth a look. With the state capitol right across the street from campus, there are all sorts of internship opportunities available to students.
Personally, I would not recommend hiding a 720 CR score as long as other sections, as applicable, could be raised even somewhat. It’s simply too good, and above average almost everywhere.
A strong ps/government department should offer courses in the subfields of American Politics, comparative politics, international relations and political philosophy and theory. Whether this is the case or not should be apparent from their catalogs.
@RoundGenious, I think you’d be a person of interest to most selective liberal arts colleges. I’m less concerned about the scores (obviously, better is better) as I believe your strong ECs – and grade and rank, of course – will compensate. On Williams specifically, I’d say the combination of water polo, eagle scout and theater would be highly appealing. The trifeca of academics/sport/arts carries a lot of weight in Williams admissions.
Williams has an excellent political science department and also offers a degree in political economy. It has a pervasive sports and outdoorsy culture as well as an energetic focus on the arts. The Williamstown Theater Festival is one of the most highly regarded summer theaters on the east coast, and although it’s not managed by the college, its influence rubs off in a robust theater program with ample performance opportunities (even for non-majors) and well funded facilities.
You do need to clarify your financial situation, though. Many of the schools mentioned here are need-only, so you either will qualify for enough aid based on your family’s income or you won’t. Before you go any further in list making, run some net price calculators and see how you do. If need-based aid isn’t sufficient, you’ll have to start looking at schools that offer merit aid, which is a different list.
That would be below the median at Williams, Pomona, Amherst, and Swarthmore, and precisely the median (this year) at Claremont McKenna. More importantly, the M and W scores will be well below the median at such selective schools and even many with slightly lower selectivity, which is the real reason some might suggest suppressing such scores or re-taking with the hope of bringing them up.
That said, I agree with @momrath that @RoundGenius has a great profile otherwise. If I were the OP, though, I’d try to get the scores up to maximize my options and increase my chances.
“[A 720 CR score] would be below the median at Williams” (12)
However, it would be 7 points above average for their ED admits.
“More importantly, the M and W scores will be well below the median at such selective schools . . .” (12)
Yes, but with the new SAT, or with the OP’s likely decision to take the ACT, these scores’ equivalents may change in appearance or proportion, or they may improve outright from either studying or greater academic advancement in general.
“which is the real reason some might suggest suppressing such scores” (#12)
At a point further down the line, perhaps.
That said, this topic seems to have become concentrated on just several schools as if they were the only ones of relevance to the valedictorian.
If you are interested in continuing your interest in theater as well as a strong political science department, I would suggest a look at Muhlenberg College. Best of luck to you!