I’m a high school junior begining his college search. As of now, I’m unsure of where I want to go and am hoping to gain some clarity. I would like any schools to be in a more urban environment and I’d like them to have strong political science/international studies programs, as that’s what I think I want to study at this point. I have a 33 on the act (36 science, 35 reading, 34 english, 27 math) and have a 4.0 unweighted gpa (4.6 weighted). Ideally the school would be located in a part of the country that isn’t the northeast, as I live there and am seeking something different, but this isn’t a deal-breaker. The size of the school doesn’t matter as much to me. I will be applying for financial aid and will hopefully recieve some merit aid as well.
See the thread below started by @batman0309. They have a very similar question.
I saw your list on your thread from December 15. I think that’s a good list–well thought out and coherent. I totally agree with Dickinson and Macalester. Dickinson, though, is in a small town and remote (great place though). The rest, or most of them, are competitive enough that they are a reach for everyone. You’re a strong candidate, just given supply and demand realities, lots of strong candidates are accepted and more are not, at some of those schools anyway.
Holy Cross would be terrific to look at, but you want to get out of New England.
Rhodes College is a spectacular, beautiful LAC in Memphis, so another urban LAC. Maybe also the University of Richmond. It has a beautiful suburban campus and business and law schools. Richmond has been totally transformed and is now a great city for students (VCU and Richmond) and young professionals.
Georgetown, GW & American if DC isn’t too “Northeast” for you. Davidson, Chapel Hill, Vanderbilt, Emory, Richmond, UVA, William & Mary (some of these schools not necessarily urban, but also not rural and don’t feel isolated). And check out the Claremont schools outside of LA, esp Claremont-McKenna & Pomona. Agree on Macalester.