Following the suggestion for schools located in/near state or national capitals, Union College in Schenectady offers some really interesting opportunities.
First, they take full advantage of their location in the capital district and have a program of extensive internships at the state capital. (See info on their website.) In addition, they have a Washington term, run by Union faculty, which includes a 30 hour per week internship. It is run by the Political Science Dept, but is open to students from all majors. See more information at Term In Washington D.C. | Union College .
Second Union has an Astronomy major, an Astrophysics minor, and their own on campus observatory.
Third, Union does not have a public policy major, but they do have a number of courses related to public policy in other departments. Examples would be departments of Environmental Policy; Science, Technology & Society; Political Science; Sociology; and the Energy Studies minor. Interdisciplinary study is strongly encouraged to the point that many students graduate with an interdisciplinary major, or dual major, or an Organizing Theme Major for students who will need more than 2 departments to accommodate their interests.
Fourth, research is strongly encouraged and supported to the point that 80% of students conduct research during their 4 years. 100% of the faculty are professors. No teaching assistants.
A final point of interest is that Schenectady has gone through a renaissance in the past decade and now has an entertainment district downtown with live music, live theater, improv, cinema, and excellent restaurants. Itās a fun town with easy access to Albany. SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) brings popular concerts to the area and is less than 20 miles away with bus transportation available.
Union would be a solid target for you. A niece with a similar profile to yours was offered a scholarship last year which covered 50% of costs, which was a nice bonus.
Thanks for raising the question. I was referring to the Five College Astronomical Radio Observatory. In checking the information for my response, I learned that it had been decommissioned in 2011 after 42 years. I didnāt know that! Thanks again for the learning opportunity.
Since you have acceptances you seem happy with, your list can be reachy. But, I calculate your unweighted GPA at about 3.75, core courses only, using a 4 pt scale (no + or -). So, that does impact the categorization of your list. Does your school only report year end grades/GPA on transcripts?
The vast majority of schools will want to see the grades from the college coursework, so those two Cs are in my calculation. Please make sure you understand if your schools need to see those gradesā¦call them if itās not clear on the website. The record of you having taken those classes is in the National Student Clearinghouse, so you wonāt be able to hide these courses. Out of curiosity, did you report the two Cās to Brown?
I like many of the suggestions on Austennuts list for more attainable schools (especially if any appeal more than Bing) and would add Brandeis if thatās of any interest at all.
Pomona is a LAC with public policy analysis as a major, plus itās part of the Claremont consortium which lessens the issue of the area possibly feeling too small. It would be a reach, but fits OPās interests.