<p>I usually <em>hate</em> these threads but have been thrown for a serious loop. </p>
<p>Here is the gig - I got waitlisted from my top choice (Harvard) and now have to choose between:</p>
<ol>
<li> Boston University = full merit scholarship through Trustee’s Scholarship</li>
<li>Tufts = $0 aid </li>
<li>American University = a $20,000/yr scholarship and admission to the Global Scholars program, which is an IR degree in 3 years and a Master’s after the 4th year</li>
</ol>
<p>I can pay for undergrad and graduate school if I choose BU or American. However, if I were to choose Tufts, I would graduate with zero money with my bachelor’s and if I do grad school after Tufts, I would end up in roughly $120,000 of debt.</p>
<p>I am an International Relations major, perhaps a minor in Turkish. I’m wondering if anyone has any input on these three schools financially, academically, socially or otherwise.</p>
<p>No insight into the social and academic aspects of each of the schools, however my advice to you is to avoid massive debt for an undergraduate education. Although I hear Tufts has a highly rated IR program it would be better to save your money to go there for a graduate degree. Don’t know anything about BU but American of course has a good IR program and their acceptance offer is not bad if you can afford it. JMO.</p>
<p>As a parent of a soph @ AU in SIS, my advice is to go where they want you, if you are being offered merit scholarships take that very seriously, undergraduate school is extremely expensive. I would recommend you spend time at each campus and see which school feels
like it will fit you. Our student thinks AU was the right choice for her;besides feeling the school is working hard to help her succeed the opportunities in DC appear to be many for interships. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Out of the three schools, Tufts is clearly ranked higher academically. BUT, given the money you were given, I’d say your choice is between BU and American. There are pros and cons for both. Given that you’re an IR major, my vote is with American because a) They have a very strong IR program and b) You’re in Washington, D.C. where you will get WAY better internship opportunities that relate to your major (also note that American is 3rd for internships). I’d also like to leave you with this bit of advice, if you go to a top tier school (which all of them are) it doesn’t really matter which school…it matters what you do while you’re there and once you graduate that determines your success. Good luck!</p>