Most schools have a DC Semester, either on their own (like mine did hers through U of South Carolina as all publics in South Carolina do. But her house on Capitol Hill was in a row of houses occupied by many schools. There’s a landlord that basically rents houses (lots of them) to colleges for their semester programs. Other colleges go through American U.
Being a diplomat might mean a federal government job. What language interests her - she’ll need one as an IR major (or maybe to test out). You have a seal in several but I’m wondering if one might work with the Language Flagship programs - that are government funded and might lead to this type of opportunity. I’m not sure Washington matters per se - given there are summers and other time frame and programs.
Others, of course, will disagree. I would suggest a dual major. In fact, it was at American U’s school of International Service where during a presentation, after hearing the curriculum, i flat out asked the presenter (who may have been the department head) that the education doesn’t seem to lead to a job and she acknowledged kids should double and that the degree on its own isn’t leading to great employment.
You do need a budget.
American is $80K. If you got in (unknown), the most you can hope for is $15K I’d say - can you afford $65K (I’m assuming no need). If not, no reason to apply.
Charleston I mentioned - the student would likely get in - tuition, room and board is likely $55K but more when you go off campus. It’s a city with a lot of international commerce - and the school brings in Diplomats - my daughter met several ambassadors from several countries through their Mroz Institute.
I noted Seton Hall’s School of Diplomacy, the Croft School at Ole Miss (lower cost), and Indiana U Hamilton Lugar School (high 50s).
You don’t want loans (at least big ones) and fortunately, the government has put in limits with the new Big Beautiful Bill. They’re still too high but…
I think the in-class to home school grades - tell a story that might (I don’t know) diminish the home school grades.
The other thing i think - like Charleston and Mroz, many schools have special programs that aren’t known just looking at the website - so you have to look deeper. A lot of schools have special organizations that might work for your student. So don’t just look at rank or has to be by DC.
AU is having financial issues so it might happen (but not cheap) if you are full pay. I’d think GW isn’t happening.
If you want to be in DC, George Mason could be a good choice - just outside or James Madison 90 miles away. Smaller would be Mary Washington - within reach of DC (about 55 miles). It’s more large LAC ish.
Syracuse is highly unlikely but Maxwell school is top rated. U Delaware is possible whereas a UMD isn’t going to happen (I don’t think - but would be a strong fit otherwise). Delaware isn’t too far from DC. It’s not assured but possible. U Pitt may be a slight reach but is good in many majors, and like Indiana, Kansas is a “worldly” school with a center for Global and International Studies. UMN is another. Another K would be U Kentucky - it’s Patterson School of Diplomacy and Global Commerce is well thought of. It’s only a graduate school but some may seep down to undergrad…would be worth a look. Nice school…nice city.
Really - need more info - because you can go in sooooo many directions - and yes, the budget matters. That’s what you need to zero in on now - you have a figure - it doesn’t change (or shouldn’t) based on a school name.
But I’m thinking given the language excellence, a flagship program might be the way to go for best employment opportunities.
These languages, if the student has an interest (it’s a 2nd focus in addition to the IR/IS major) - the languages are:
Arabic
Chinese
Korean
Persian
Portguguese
Russian
Does the student want to work in any of these. They come with some level of funding I believe (not saying a full scholarship) and from what I’ve read, would give you better access to government employment than even going to the highest ranked colleges.
Each language is tied to a school - for example, Arabic is aligned to U Arizona, Indiana, Ole Miss. Portuguese to Arizona and Georgia (high reach for this student but also great in IR).
Thanks