<p>Hey, so I'm interested in studying one or the other, still not sure. I am going into Jr year, so I still have time. I'm just wondering some colleges, on all levels, that are known for their neuroscience and IR majors. I haven't really found too many colleges that offer both: Brown, UCLA, Columbia, and Johns Hopkins. Please help me; it's important that a college offer both, b/c i'm really interested in both of these subjects, I can't choose one! And i know that it would be really hard to double major...so if I ever feel the need to change my major to the other, I want to make sure that the college offers it. Thank you!!</p>
<p>please help me! lol</p>
<p>Look into the University of Pittsburgh they have one of the top neuroscience programs in the country and a very good IR/poli sci program.</p>
<p>I know NOTHING about specific neuroscience or IR programs. My college offers both (Illinois Wesleyan U), but I don’t know how good those programs are. They have great science programs in general for things like bio, chem, physics, etc. so I’d think the neuroscience is good, don’t know about IR. They offer International Studies, not IR, but they’re basically the same thing anyways. You’d have to check and see if these programs are any good. I’m a music major this fall and I don’t know about some of the other programs, sorry. Don’t know what schools are really known for these majors.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! And iluvpiano, I’ll keep that in mind…but I live in Illinois and want to get as far away as possible :P, thanks though :)</p>
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Yep, that’s totally understandable. You’re welcome.</p>
<p>Rolando, at this point, I would concentrate less on specific majors and more on the type of college that appeals to you and that you can afford. The very first step is to understand your finances. Do you need financial aid? If yes, do you qualify for need based aid?</p>
<p>Both neuroscience and international relations are sometimes majors and sometimes concentrations or programs. Either is acceptable for acceptance to graduate programs or medical school so don’t eliminate colleges/universities that don’t offer full majors in both.</p>
<p>Also, I’d suggest that you look at some of the small liberal arts colleges --like Amherst and Williams – which encourage double, even triple majoring in diverse disciplines. Most kids change their majors more than once during college (and you’re not even there yet!) and your interest in a wide range of subjects is actually a good thing.</p>
<p>Whatever you settle on, make sure your list has a balance of selectivity: reach/match/safety. And settle the money first.</p>
<p>@momrath- thank you! Yeah, finances are VERY importany for my family and I. I’m looking into schools that are safeties academically as well as financially. I really don’t have all of my stats, but i’m hoping for at least a 30 ACT (31+ would be loved though), and a 2100+ SAT…Obviously, easier said than done. So, yeah, maybe it’s too early to be looking, but I’ve been interested in IR/Neuro for a few yrs…I’m pretty sure i won’t major in anything other than one of the two, but who knows. Lol, sorry…i was talking about financial safeties and got way off. I know U of Alabama gives you half tuition for at least a 31 ACT…does it have a good neuro/IR program? I’m oos btw. Plus, I’m interested in U of Miami and U of Southern California…both these schools give merit aid to good students.</p>
<p>Rolando, Will your family be eligible for need based aid? If you don’t know ask your parents to use an on-line calculator to give you a rough idea of how much you might expect to receive. Your actual package may vary, but this would be a starting place.</p>
<p>If it’s not enough, then you would require MERIT aid. There are some very good colleges and universities that offer merit aid; however, they are generally speaking a different list from need-based colleges. </p>
<p>Don’t over focus on the SAT or the ACT. Prep, take it again, and forget about it. Your grades, ECs, recommendations and FAMILY BACKGROUND will be the factors that get you over the top. </p>
<p>Also, as I said above, don’t eliminate schools that don’t have your targeted majors per se, especially if you’re looking for merit aid. Interdisciplinary programs in neuroscience and international relations are quite common and will fill the bill for graduate school.</p>
<p>And lastly, look into Questbridge.</p>
<p>ok 
haha, thanks. that was helpful! and i’ll talk about it with my mum soon…For starters though, she’s a single mother, a teacher, and she doesn’t make more than $50,000. She’s getting her master’s in reading though, so maybe her salary will increase a little.</p>
<p>Rolando, Qualifying for need-based financial aid is actually a GOOD thing because although the most selective colleges/universities don’t offer merit aid, they can be quite generous with need based aid. This is especially true for high achievers who fall into one or more of the demographics that they are interested in attracting – like underrepresented minorities or any other religious, ethnic or cultural “diversity” group and low income families.</p>
<p>You should definitely look into Questbridge.</p>
<p>Also, the details are nobody’s business but your own, but be aware that if your parents were married, your father’s income will be figured into your family’s financial status, even if he doesn’t currently contribute.</p>
<p>oh, ok thank you for all of your help!! :)</p>
<p>Rolando4,
You mentioned an interest in colleges far from your home state. The University of Southern California offers both those majors. As you may have read recently SC received a huge contribution for the school of letters, arts and sciences of $200,000 million. Both of these majors are in the Dornsife School of Letters, Arts and Sciences.</p>
<p>One of the premier researchers in neuroscience is Dr. Antonio Damasio. This major has grown in recent years with many new faculty and large increases in funding. It is certainly one which you should investigate. USC is a Pacific Rim university, so international relations majors may show more interest in Asia and travel abroad to China, Japan, Singapore and New Zealand.</p>
<p>USC offers merit scholarships as well as need based financial aid. Financial aid is USC determined using both the FAFSA and CSS profiles.</p>
<p>Dr. Damasio holds the David Dornsife Chair in Neuroscience and is the co-founder of the Brain and Creativity Institute. He has been awarded many prizes, notably the Honda Prize. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, among other honors.</p>