Match Me: Male, 3.94 UW, 34 ACT, Poli Sci major, UT resident [<$70k]

Chance Me / Match Me
21

So is Tulane the top choice ? Or U Mich ? You don’t ED to game. You ED because a school is the legit top choice.

If Tulane is, most of these are not like Tulane so I don’t understand that. Michigan is out of your stated budget - no idea why you’d even apply. Or to UVA as well. Both well over $70k with no aid coming.

Nothing worse than getting into a school that you can’t afford it in your case, don’t want to afford.

To answer your question and assuming you have enough in the way of science, math, foreign language, English and social science, I think:

Indiana In
Penn State in but Schreyer unknown
Ohio State in
UMD in

U Wash likely but likely won’t see your SAT
Wisconsin likely
UF likely

Tulane, UVA, and U Mich are unknown. Make sure to demonstrate interest at Tulane.

I’m not sure your desired post school outcome but for poli sci, unless one features a certain discipline within, I’m not sure the where matters.

But I’m partial to IU (and Syracuse) because at the grad level in neighboring public affairs, they are the creme de la creme.

So within your list, not looking at $$, I’m partial to IU. Not only does it have a Dc program (others will too where you can spend a semester), if you have international interests it has the Hamilton Lugar school which has an outstanding rep.

Anyway, that’s how I see your chances - even though I’m unsure of the choices based on the stated desires.

Best of luck.

2 Likes
22

Thanks for the info here. Yes, I should have mentioned that Tulane is not the clear top choice, and that is the reason (along with Michigan) for not throwing ED hat in for either of those. We just also heard that merit is more likely for EA Tulane anyway.

IU is a recent add to the list, based on some similar advice we’d received, so it’s great to hear your enthusiasm there also. UMD is also recently-recommended add.

23

What is driving the enthusiasm ? It’s a Poli Sci degree. Frankly it can be Weber State or UNLV?

What is the post grad desire ?

I personally think but schools will disagree -I think if you get in ED, why should they give you a nickel? They own your commitment.

Is there a $70k budget or not ? If not, ok. If so, lose UVA AND Michigan. UNC has the UVA panache but is less than $70k.

Wisconsin is most like UMich and you have. If yiu really needed another UMN would be good or U of SC/ASU as they, along with UGA, have arguably the top Honors Colleges and yet are all likely easier admits than Schreyer - my student with a 32 ACT got into UGAs and U of SCs.

If there’s an interest in international, UGA, in addition to IU, would be a go to - for me.

I guess I’m trying to figure out the goal post undergrad because to me these are mainly substitutional. But some schools may have tracks.

IU has a Poli Sci and Philosophy track (likely good LSAT prep) and a similar track with Econ. Other schools may have tracks too - my daughters did. You may see if any do of interest.

Good luck.

24

More likely, possibly - but I wouldn’t say substantially so unless applying to and getting one of the select scholarships. Tulane has been shifting much of its money over to need based. That said - it’s a free application other than the extra time spent showing interest and completing the essays so would never suggest someone shouldn’t apply so long as there’s not high expectations.