If you haven’t already, I strongly encourage you to apply here:
Applying
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Do you think I even have a shot at an institution like Yale given everything I’ve posted?
A shot - yes.
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I think you have a shot everywhere.
Can you afford everywhere? Will you be able to finance the next phase of your education at the kind of institution you want? Those are unknowable. But for sure you have a shot.
I’m not trying to undermine your dreams. Just pointing out that you are embarking on the next step- not the final step.
One of the top students in my business school class was a soap opera actress. Fell into that category of “recognize her but not famous yet” although she’d worked steadily for a decade. She was a standout academically and intellectually and was particularly skilled at group work (which is intense in B-school- lots and lots of projects). You get a LOT of feedback as an actor, and for sure that makes you a terrific student!
I’m just not clear on your financial resources and needs right now.
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Then you will need to pass the foreign service exam. Period. Even if you pass, there is no guarantee you will be selected to join the foreign service.
Since you have this medical business going, have you thought about getting a masters in global health?
But first…get your bachelors. And CA is a fine place to do so. Then get a masters in IR or whatever.
Why not let your business make its millions and then pay for college yourself.
You have a compelling set of ECs, and this could capture an adcom at many schools. Apply and see.
And keep in mind you don’t have to be in SFS to take the foreign service exam.
Also being an entry level foreign service officer is not the least bit glam. It can be stamping passports, and sometimes you have very little choice where you’re stationed. Also the test is a killer, and the pay is low. The background check is tough. They can deny you for any reason, including, for example, people you’ve dated. Or maybe they wouldn’t like the business you’ve started. None of this should deter you from having a career in international relations. A few of my classmates did the foreign service for 2 years and used it as a springboard to other things.
As for Georgetown, the actress Pearl Bailey was famously accepted at age 60 and graduated at age 67. Hoyas love telling that story. 
Good luck… you sound like a very interesting applicant.
You also don’t need a degree in international relations!
Foreign service is a very interesting career, if you get selected. But your entry level position could very well not even be abroad.
I agree, you are an interesting applicant…so apply and see.
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My financial resources are nothing spectacular. I work hard and I try to save when I can. I think people really overestimate the salary of actors… I’ve lead movies with over a million dollar budgets and barely got paid 10k. I’ve also lead some and was paid in one month the same as people make in a year. Living in LA is expensive as well. My success as an actor isn’t inflated by any means, but that does not make me rich. Very very few are making “Hollywood” money. And with my business, it opens next month. No one has made anything. My financials are equal to any normal transfer.
I do a lot of net price calculators and Georgetown, GW, as well as some other privates will give grant aid from what I read. I want to be out of CA so much I honestly wouldn’t mind taking out some loans.
National security is another strong interest. I love the concepts and classes. I’m eager to learn but want to study at a great university. I’ve made some big sacrifices giving up my acting career, I want to respect that with the right school
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Check the policies for aid for transfers. At some colleges, the net price calculators are set up for incoming freshman only. If the NPC doesn’t ask if you are a transfer student, please view the results with caution!
I believe GTown also uses the CSS Profile.
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I assume you’re going to apply to transfer in for fall '24? That means they’d use your 2022 tax return for the FAFSA.
And there’s an excellent global health program at UCSF, by the way.
Be careful with ‘great’ university. My kid has a no name school and for the most part is getting a great education - small classes, mentoring with foreign service folks, and regularly meeting with ambassadors and dignitaries - a few times a semester. . Others go to top schools and have big classes and lots of bureaucracy.
There are MANY great universities. But find the best for you. Picking a who’s who based on rank or location may not be best.
They may be best for you of course but think deeper. Look at institutes the schools have and other programs. At the day to day and at where students end up. Look for special programs and direct ties to agencies etc.
I remember in grad school - my Cornell undergrad roomie best friend was at Wharton…the creme de la creme and he said it was a joke. No rigor. But our public mid ranked, we busted tail.
So look deeper.
Also I’m not sure how aid is at the grad school level but U Denver Korbel School is very well known in IR. May be another to look into.
Good luck.
How does this work? Why would it be 2022?
Where does she go if I can ask?
In normal years a FAFSA was due b4 you’d have a tax return.
Even with a late FAFSA deadline few have their 23 tax return yet.
Note you will seemingly look at css profile schools. So that will impact your situation. Likely not FAFSA.
To answer the question on my daughter College of Charleston.
She didn’t know when she accepted but the Mroz Institute is fantastic and she’s in both the Charleston Fellows and Intl Scholar programs.
I’m not suggesting it for you - we don’t even know your budget.
I’m just saying the Gtowns of the world aren’t the only places. And you have great Cal State and UC options - on the cheap. And maybe WUE schools too.
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What’s the difference exactly with CSS and Fasfa? Georgetown required CSS and Fasfa
Fafsa will get you federal aid - a loan. CSS is a deep dive into your investments, home equity and more. Some schools are IDOC too. They don’t believe you. They want to see your accounts.