Poli. Sci./Foreign Lang. Safeties? (3.7 UW, 32 ACT)

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Hello all! I’m a junior who’s looking for some safety schools that are strong in foreign languages and/or political science. Here are my stats:</p>

<p>White Wisconsin Male</p>

<p>Preferred: Urban, <$30,000, secular.</p>

<p>ACT: Got a 29 start of freshman year, so expecting at least <em>33</em> composite. Strong in Eng./Reading, weakest in Science.</p>

<p>GPA: ~3.7 UW, strong upward trend. </p>

<p>PSAT: 207, just got it back.</p>

<p>Hooks:</p>

<p>-Extremely autodidactic with languages. 5 on AP Spanish, French, and Chinese by graduation. Only classes taken at HS are Spanish, testing into online AP French and college Chinese. </p>

<p>-Very involved in LGBTQ activism, going to workshops, serving at camps, etc.</p>

<p>Academics (by graduation):</p>

<p>-10 APs total, 3 Honors
-Advanced in English, Spanish, Math, French
-Took many extra courses through summer camps, online programs, self-study, etc.
-8 University classes (half of which are language classes)
-Tested into AP French solely through 2 years of self-study.</p>

<p>Leadership/Competitive ECs:</p>

<p>Gay-Straight Alliance (Freshman member, Soph. and Junior Pres.)
Interfaith Club (Soph Pres.)
International Club (Junior Co-pres.)
Forensics (done well Soph. and Junior, state-level)
French Club (Soph. Member, Junior Co-Pres.)
Creative Writing Club (Soph. Member, Junior VP)
Political Debate Club (Soph. Member, Junior Co-Pres.)
Math League (Competitive, test-based, scored 4th in region)
Yearbook (Freshman editor)
Mock Trial (Junior Defense Attorney)
Principal’s Student Advisory Council (Junior Member)</p>

<p>Outside:</p>

<p>-Involved with local PFLAG, attended national lobbying conference in D.C.
-Work with state-wide LGBT youth organization, presenting conferences at workshops, served as youth staff at LGBTQ activist camp
-Volunteer with local PAC
-Served on district committees to develop anti-bullying policy and improve health curriculum
-Planning on heavy campaign volunteering (in 2012 presidential election)
-At least 100 volunteer hours by time of graduation</p>

<p>Various:</p>

<p>-Selected as area rep to conference for rural education in D.C.
-Work with a brand-new, education-focused, student-run nonprofit
-Develop resources with a group for transgender youth
-One of two state reps to national GSA conference
-Viola from 5th grade until graduation, selected for regional Youth Honors Orchestra sophomore year
-Davidson Institute Young Scholar</p>

<p>Alrighty, I apologize for the wall of texts. Being a Wisconsinite, UW-Madison is my main fallback. Any other suggestions? Thank you!</p>

2

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<p>You want to spend more than $30,000 (per year?)? Most people say that they want to spend less than some amount…</p>

3

<p>o.0 I’m not sure how I messed that up. Yes, less than $30,000, thanks.</p>

4

<p>I do not see how you could really do better than UW and save the money for later. Those areas are both strong at UW and your stats are not good enough for anywhere that would be better at any cost.</p>

5

<p>^Above, yeah, I agree. Still, if there are any schools slightly below that’d be good, I’d like to know abut them.</p>

6

<p>Indiana, UMinn would be two.</p>

7

<p>Ohio State (good languages, not sure about Poly Sci).</p>

8

<p>*ACT: Got a 29 start of freshman year, so expecting at least <em>33</em> composite. Strong in Eng./Reading, weakest in Science.</p>

<p>*</p>

<p>Take the ACT this Spring. Also take the SAT (no science).</p>

<p>Once you have scores, we can tell you about some real financial safeties because you’ll get merit scholarships.</p>

<p>How did you do on your PSAT?</p>

<p>Have you talked to your parents about how much they’ll pay? Is the $30k per year the budget that they’ve given?</p>

9

<p>^Above: 207 on the PSAT, hoping to get more than a 2070 on the actual SAT as writing’s my forte. In regards to the budget, that’s the amount we’ve figured from what they’d be willing to pay, what aid we might get, etc.</p>

10

<p>*that’s the amount we’ve figured from what they’d be willing to pay, what aid we might get, etc. *</p>

<p>???</p>

<p>Can you clarify? </p>

<p>How did you estimate how much aid you’d get and from which schools? many schools give little aid or mostly just small fed loans. Many people don’t qualify for any aid. You have to qualify for aid based on income/assets.</p>

<p>as for merit scholarships…many schools don’t give any or don’t give much in merit or they require very high stats. If you’re talking about merit, then you need to target the schools that will give merit for your stats.</p>

<p>How much will your PARENTS pay?</p>

<p>BTW…the Writing and essay section of the SAT are often ignored for scholarships. However, take the SAT anyway. In the end, your ACT may end up higher.</p>

11

<p>The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is an obvious choice. Under tuition reciprocity, total COA for a Wisconsin resident is $23,982; merit award could bring that figure down. Excellent poli sci department, outstanding in foreign languages, urban, and Minneapolis was recently ranked the #1 gay-friendly city in the nation by the Advocate magazine. You may have other options as well, but Minnesota should certainly be on your list.</p>

12

<p>Take a look at Macalester. Not sure how the financial aid stacks up but meet the other criteria.</p>