Chance Me / Match Me Please: Female, Security Studies, 3.96 UW, 1300 SAT, East Coast / SE, <45K

Congrats on your record.

So you’ve done what many have done - you built a list of schools you’d like but not schools based on the budget you have.

Clemson is out - as noted. If you get in, it has direct costs (meaning tuition, room and board only) of $56,602 (for next year). Some majors have up to a $2500 fee - but likely not yours. Merit aid isn’t happening.

NC State is the same - $48,734 - and that’s just tuition, room and board - not books, personal, transport, fun…

UTK = $46,850 next year. I don’t believe you’ll get merit - which requires a 31 ACT or 1390 SAT.

Pitt - Honors is unknown - but you can’t afford the school. You won’t get merit with a 1300 - I don’t believe. It’s $59,160 for tuition, room and board. If you apply early you’d get in.

Elon - is an in - but the cost is $65,663 and the Fellows gets $8K.

JMU - $46,118. I don’t see auto merit but there’s a good chance you can get under $45K. Did you check the Intelligence Analysis Curriculum? It requires a minor (great) but that might mean the career prospects are not great. Also, it’s not direct admit - you need to pass four classes plus a math class. IThe major is housed in the College of Integrated Science and Engineering.

Coastal Works and there’s possible merit. It appears direct admit - can’t tell though.

ECU - works - if they have the right major.

UNCC - works if have the major.

Ohio U - works if have major. They have the Tutorials too - which you might like.

So - I wouldn’t worry about reach vs. match - you just need a school - with the curriculum you like.

If I were to look at others and admittedly it’s hard to find the major, but others that work (within the area you seem to be looking), are:

U South Florida - has a minor in Homeland Security - perhaps it groups into Criminology - it will crush the budget. It’s a target or slight reach.

UCF as well - similar odds to USF - call it a target +.

SUNY Albany - is a bit over but should have merit. Safety.

Outside shot - admission safety but too expensive - but have been known to give half tuition - is Embry Riddle - might be more focused in the major.

UMBC has a certificate in the poli sci department - safety/likely. And that’ll crush the budget.

Hope that helps.

Certificates – Department of Political Science – UMBC

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