Hi guys.
I am a current sophomore majoring in finance at Missouri Southern State University. Because I’ve decided that I don’t want to study business, I’m looking to transfer. Currently, I’m applying to five colleges: University of Richmond, Gettysburg College, Connecticut College, Dickinson College, and Lehigh University. I intend to major in Middle Eastern Studies and Economics. Missouri Southern doesn’t offer Arabic or Middle Eastern studies.
I have a few months before deadlines start approaching, but I’m starting to worry. I have a full-tuition scholarship at Missouri Southern and because I live at home, I don’t have very many expenses. If I am accepted to one of the above LACs, my mom has made it very clear that she will not contribute toward my education. She makes less than $50,000 per year. By the way, my parents are divorced. My dad is self-employed, so I can’t really estimate his income.
I have explained to my mom that I don’t intend to be more than $15,000 in debt when I graduate. However, I’m starting to worry about my chances of acceptance. If I am rejected everywhere, I don’t know what I’m going to do. Washington University in St. Louis is the only university in Missouri that offers what I want to study. Missouri State University has a Middle Eastern studies minor, but I wouldn’t get very much aid.
My dream profession is to work for a think tank analyzing American foreign policy in the Middle East. I know that I could always go to graduate school, but that’s not cheap and I would need some Arabic knowledge.
If anyone has any ideas, I would greatly appreciate them!
Thanks!