If you mean region as in geographical region, I am opening more up to the South assuming they could reduce the financial burden on my parents. If you mean financial region, then yeah, they would have to be willing to negotiate on top of the scholarship, which likely wouldn’t happen. I’ll add Tulsa and Alabama to the list for now, though.
Quick question—why does Alabama give 5 years of tuition? Do most students graduate with a bachelors in 5 years? Just wondering.
For the schools on my previous list, all of the reaches work 100%. In terms of the “safeties” (might have to rerank after this forum discussion!), American is close to working/will work, UD is probably $5k to $8k in loans per year after small merit scholarships (I’m shooting for full ride), and IU + Fordham would not work whatsoever unless I receive a full ride.
Since you are in Delaware, Goucher would be a very easy visit for you. Its in Towson, MD. Its small, and you would get a lot of individual attention. Its also got a very strong study abroad program. Many really like the “January term” program.
Yes, in fact, I have off on Friday, so maybe a visit then! Thank you for the recommendation 
Glad to hear it has a good study abroad program. That is a non-negotiable.
IIRC, everyone does a study abroad. https://www.goucher.edu/learn/study-abroad/
I’ll look at it right now!
Its really an academic safety for you, and very likely you will get a nice merit offer.
Many go to law, MBA, or do a Masters. But at any public school you also have those who take longer than 5 years. I Susie t many at Bama do a Masters.
While Bama is not a hard in, they are one of the leaders in NMF nationally. They buy in top kids. Even if you’re not NMF, they’ll still buy you in but more like low 20s.
UAH, a smaller Alabama school known for engimeeting, is near $40k. cost of attendance for tuition, room and board you’d get $22k automerit not saying it’s the best school for you but it’s right there, a fantastic, educated and booming city. They have a iS Minor or Global certificate that you can combine with another major like Poli Sci. Or major in Poli Sci as they have an IR track.
FSU - keep on the radar - if you get an OOS waiver or study abroad the first year, the cost is $20kish - just tuition, room and board. So you work in summer etc. it’s in a state capital. With your SAT an OOS waiver is very possible. $20k doesn’t include books, personal or transport so those costs depend on you. At some schools - Bama for sure - can’t say FSU- you save when you move off campus.
FSU is not an easy in - sub 20% OOS - but I suspect you’d make the cut.
OP- I applaud your attitude. It’s great that you are keeping an open mind, even on colleges you’ve never heard of.
Have a quick check-in with your parents though… the federal government caps the amount of loans a student can take; anything above that will require your parents to sign/be on the hook. So once you’ve run the NPC’s, take off anything that you won’t be able to finance with your own work and loans in your own name. You can google for the exact amount of the loan caps. Given your parents responsibilities for family overseas, I can’t imagine that taking on debt right now is in their financial plan!
Goucher is a fantastic suggestion btw. Tremendous campus culture– kind, academic, professors who really want to teach undergraduates.
Just looked at the Gaucher list of study abroad programs! Needless to say, it definitely has options; I see many French programs + year at Oxford + year in the UAE. Good rec, thanks!
Florida is another place I haven’t really researched well, so thanks for a starting point with FSU! I do plan to work a fair amount (so no parties!) in college, and hopefully I end up with more than enough money to take care of my contribution, which would include books/personal/transport/etc. I’ll keep an open mind for FSU (and UAH too).
With most of the schools, the issue of the financial commitment to relatives overseas would, if need be, be a conversation to have with their FA office after the FA offer is received. As mentioned above, you request professional judgment to review the unusual financial circumstances that may not be apparent when they review your FAFSA application. IIRC the CSS profile has a place to address unusual circumstances.
I’ve looked at Colgate and determined that they don’t quite meet finances as much as I would like
With a family income of $110,000, I’m really surprised to hear that. Colgate uses the CSS profile which requires more detailed information than FAFSA. It could provide different results - for better or worse. When completing the NPC, I assume you used the adjusted gross income and did not indicate home ownership beyond the primary residence?
It might be worth a phone call to see if a financial aid officer would offer you an opinion. I would think they’d want a student like you.
Thank you for the positive words! While it would be perfect if every school I planned to apply to would accept me, I know that would not happen, so it is somewhat a necessity to think of new schools—I do try to keep an open mind, though
Yes, my parents and I discussed that. The debt would likely fall to me unless it was very, very small (ex. below $5k over the four years). Thank you for mentioning loan caps, though. I naturally assumed we couldn’t take out anything and everything in loans from the government, but I’ll be more aware of potentially lower loans than I thought if necessary.
I will note that if I get accepted to a school that has a higher financial commitment up front but no loans, I would always choose that over a school that is the opposite. I am praying that at least one school can make education happen with simply grants/scholarships!
I wouldn’t worry about study abroad. If your school doesn’t have one, they’ll have an affiliate that does. Or like my Charleston kid, she found one via U of Nebraska.
It’s great if a school has one but honestly that should be least on your consideration set and if they are school led- like summer, many get cancelled. My daughter’s trip cancelled both years and one we signed her up for at Case Western cancelled. Hence we did the Nebraska one and they thanked us bcuz they said without us they would have cancelled if you look at the UC school led programs, most cancelled. This was summer.
I think Italy, Spain, Costa Rica - those types go - but more obscure countries are iffy if they’re going to a school, like Oxford - it’s likely to go but if your school doesn’t offer it, another will that they’ll accept. Of course, some schools will have a higher price - including yours. But some also offset with $$. Nebraska did for us.
Frankly I’d put that on the back of your mind - find schools that will 100% get you to budget or close. Secondarily, find those reaches that get you to budget and / or have full rides.
Check the NPCs of schools like W&L,UVA, UNC (they meet need), Kenyon, Denison, and others that meet need.
And don’t forget Delaware State - you might get free tuition !!
That’s reassuring to hear! I never knew if it was something I could talk about and reasonably expect to result in change from. I’ll also take advantage of the CSS profile’s “unusual circumstances” box or the like.
I don’t believe UAH offers majors you are interested in. Its largely known for engineering and some health sciences, I don’t believe they have an International Relations or an International Affairs major. I’d scrap that. You have so many other options to look into.
Honestly, Colgate was on my first ever “draft” of my college list, but the NPC is what ruled it out over similar schools like Williams or Swarthmore. I did use the adjusted gross income and did not indicate home ownership beyond the primary residence (is that what I was supposed to do?). I’ll take your advice and call a financial aid officer to see what they think. Good idea!
UAH has Intl Studies (minor), a global pathways certificate and a Poli Sci major with an Intl Relations focus. And it’s almost at budget. While the school is known for STEM, they have many majors and companies surround that operate on a global level. It’s an educated workforce with lots of investment. One study called it the best city for young people.
As you look at schools, don’t just look at IR but Poli Sci because many schools house IR in the International Studies or Poli Sci majors
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science may choose classes from any of the following six subfields:
Political Philosophy
The study of fundamental concepts and analytical theories that form the foundations of diverse political regimes, public policies, and ethical values
American Government
The study of American governmental institutions, procedures, and actors, including Congress, the presidency, federalism, political parties, and interest groups
Constitutional Law
The study of judicial decision-making and decisions that explicate constitutional powers, civil rights and liberties, and their impact on federal, state, and local practices
Public Policy and Methods
The study of the political formation, implementation, and evaluation of national, state, and local public policies
Comparative Politics
The study of political systems of diverse countries and regions, including the use of comparisons across cases of events, institutions, and processes
International Relations
The study of relations between countries, the development and dynamics of international arrangements, and global politics and policies
I didn’t think that schools could have an affiliate; that’s new but reassuring info!
I will say, study abroad is a (potentially irrational) desire of mine in college. I want as much experience as possible (a year would suffice) in an Arabic-speaking country (or potentially French if I change my mind), and I’m additionally thinking about a gap year through a State Dept. intensive Arabic exchange program. Let me know if that desire is, in fact, irrational and if I should move on from that.
Of course, finances take ultimate priority, but after finances, many factors are weighed similarly IMO, with study abroad being one that takes slight priority over many others.