What colleges should I add to my list or remove(B student)?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Updated my college list(3.0-3.3 Student) </p>

<p>Here's a look at my stats.</p>

<p>Stats:
GPA: B or B-. Don't know the exact #.
Rank:Top 50%
High School: Very Tough Public School. Ranked as one of the top 200 high schools in the United States.
State:New York
City:Long Island
ACT:27/36
Race: African American,First Generation American</p>

<p>Freshman Year:
I did terrible. I failed 2 classes.</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
I did fairly well.</p>

<p>Junior Year:
I did extremely well</p>

<p>Senior Year;
I'm an AP student now.</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars:
Community Service(1 Year)
Church Youth Group(2 Years)
Job(School Year)</p>

<p>NY Regents Diploma</p>

<p>AP Courses: AP US Government, AP Euro(Self Study),AP Psych (Self-study)</p>

<p>Planned College Major: History or Political Science with an english minor</p>

<p>Regents scores:
Global:90
Earth Science:65
Biology:74
US History:93
English:76
Math B:71
Chem:75
Math A:84</p>

<p>Awards:
Most Improved Student</p>

<p>Schools on my list as of now:
Drexel(VIP Application)
Bloomsburg
Depaul
Duquesne
Miami U(OH)
Suny Albany
Suny Plattsburgh
St. Bonaventure
University of Dayton
Xavier University
Drake University
Rider University
Rowan University</p>

<p>Note:
I only took 1 year of Foreign Language in High School</p>

<p>Any of you guys know about these schools? </p>

<p>What other schools would you recommend?</p>

2

<p>Is merit money and/or need-based aid a consideration?</p>

3

<p>Yes. A college that offers good financial aid is a +.</p>

4

<p>We visited Drake this summer and it is a beautiful campus and seems like a well run organization. They are in the heart of Des Moines so there is a city flavor to it. I know that Drake takes an active roll in the Iowa Caucuses so I would guess that their Political Science department would be pretty good. I believe that journalism is their “specialty”</p>

5

<p>American University in DC, is good for political sci, but known to have high studen debt and only 75% grad rate.
George Washington University in DC is a better match for you, has good numbers graduating in history and Poli Sci has a better institutional grant giving and less debt.
Hampshire College is the one place that will read your application correctly, but you may have to catch up on foreign language,</p>

<p>Overall I think you are looking too low with too many safeties. With an ACT of 27 you can reach higher. You are first generation and no foreign language??</p>

6

<p>my parents are from trinadad. they only speak english.</p>

7

<p>OK. I am in the city of Chicago, went to DePaul. I know lots of friends who have a second native language but no foreign lang on transcript. Lot’s of colleges will let you catch up the requirement.
Sometime you have to wonder what kinda politics will Depaul teach Hizzoner’s (Mayor Daleys knickname) style of politics? Or Rod Blogos style of Ethics? And SUNY Albany?? I was in NY this spring summer and watched those clowns in Albany who just did worse than Illinois state legislature.
Forgive my political cynicism. The schools location can make a difference with internships and local opportunities.
You might also look at colleges that have sponsored political science and public policy think tanks. Gerald Ford in Michigan, Johnson in Texas, Kerrys wife Hinze in Penn. Universities that have these foundations are worth a look. You will have to google them to find the official names of the univ foundation.</p>

8

<p>Grand Valley State University in Michigan would be the connection. GVSU has an Allendale campus and a downtown Grand Rapids, MI campus.</p>

9

<p>If you are looking at Rowan, what about Rutgers? It’s more widely known outside this area. If you apply early (v. soon!) you could have a great chance. It’s also way cheaper than Drexel (which is up to about $49k a year).</p>

<p>I would ditto that you could probably add a few more competitive schools in there. B average is not that bad!!</p>

10

<p>Grand Valley State University in Michigan would be the connection. GVSU has an Allendale campus and a downtown Grand Rapids, MI campus.</p>