S25 looking at programs that would be comparable cost to instate with merit. Most likely will want to work in government position in DC area after graduation.
Options so far:
UMD instate - first choice
in no particular order:
GMU
JMU
OSU
UMN
U of AZ
MSU
Indiana U
Loyola MD
If merit makes most options similar to instate, which would you choose and why?
The one the student feels most comfortable.
Loyola is the outlier here based on size and religion.
The rest and assume MSU is Michigan State are mid/large to large but with different geographies.
I’m partial to IU as it’s strong in the arena but so is Arizona and others.
Some would say a UMN as it’s in the capital. Same with MSU.
So here’s an anecdote - my daughter started similarly and chose College of Charleston over high ranking programs in the major such as American, UMD, UGA.
She has since done a summer internship with our state and did the DC semester (they enroll through U of SC). She had 7 internship offers, 5 paid. She ended up writing/ transcribing for a think tank which has turned her off a dc type writing career - go figure.
The house next to hers was the IU program.
Most schools have a DC semester although some run them through American. I would check each a school’s program. Some may require you to be in Honors like my daughter’s did. Some may not have one. So that might help you narrow down. Her program was six credits and full time employment.
The point here being - these schools are different in size, locale, weather, etc.
Factoring in affordability, where does the student feel a fit ?
Good luck.
Thanks! We were thinking state capitals would be advantageous- osu, msu, umn. We are going to visit after we hear decisions including financial offers. Great to know about the dc program. I see AZ has it as well.
Also I had heard anecdotally that Indiana had a strong program but don’t know as much about AZ so that is good to hear.
George Washington along with George Mason and the University of Arizona may represent some of the stronger schools for political science on your list.
Thanks! we ruled out GW due to cost.
That was my mistake for having thought I saw GW somewhere in your original post.
Make sure you check out Arizona’s merit - it’s less than least years as they’ve got cutbacks.
IU is the top Public Admin grad school, along with Syracuse, and perhaps that trickles down.
If he’s got stats to get UMD cost at Arizona, you might look at Miami Ohio and South Carolina.
UMN, Ohio State, and especially IU won’t come close to UMD in state cost. Not sure about the others.
There are schools than can but it won’t be these. It’ll be - if there’s a strong SAT - Alabama, Ole Miss (good in Poli Sci/IR, maybe Mizzou, Kansas , etc.
Good luck.
GMU seems obvious due to location and I’ve heard they have a lot of internship opportunities for students. Also, potentially could do a 5th year masters in less than 5 years due to AP credits. Wondering though about Arizona? You are the second person to comment that they have a strong program - are you familiar with any of the advantages?
Yeah- I should say low $40ks all in while UMD is $30k. It will all depend on merit. AZ is still giving good offers for strong stats but the travel is pricey.
Most schools are fine in Poli Sci. Some have specialties.
Low 40s - with top stats UMN will work. OSU may work. IU will be in the low to mid 50s best case.
AZ will be $40k if the Gpa is really high. It’s strong in many areas - including social sciences. But if you do Honors, it’s an added cost.
If $40k is the goal, you’d have a sliver of a chance at UGA It’s strong
Don’t ‘hear’ - ask for results, placement reports. Students, not schools, find internships - how mine got 7 offers coming from Charleston. If you hustle, you create opportunity.
I mentioned lower cost schools above - like Alabama, Ole Miss, and Kansas. Mixing one or two in might be wise given your budget concerns.
There are many different ways to work in government in DC…from being a congressional staffer, to working for any number of private organizations.
If this is what your daughter wants to do, she should actively look for ways to do some summer work in DC or at a politicians office in either your home state or DC.
Or after graduation, she could take the foreign service exam. She would start working IN DC.
Being fluent in a second language is also a good thing.
Internships in college come in all sizes and shapes. Many colleges are close enough that students can intern and work in DC while attending college. You have some of those options on your list.
It might be a reach, but I’d add William and Mary.
No way to get to $40k.
Yes they do…with good connections to DC.
What are your daughter’s stats. We can’t speculate on merit aid potential without knowing those.
I am not looking for new school ideas. Was curious of those familiar with poli sci and govt jobs for new grads (I understand that is broad) how you would rank the schools in the original post and why.
At UMD, don’t forget the School of Public Policy.
And the Federal Fellows program
You may want to compare with GMU, which also has technology policy concentration.
And an accelerated Masters
(Might also qualify for instate rates for the Masters)
I would consider comparing UMD and GMU areas of interest of the faculty, too. My impression is UMD will have more liberal vibe and GMU will have more conservative vibe.
Yes-I think those are probably two of the best but we haven’t visited GMU yet. UMD is first choice but not a sure thing. Really good point about potential for instate tuition for the masters. I hadn’t thought of that.
Also intrigued by Carter Center for Conflict resolution which might be less conservative than Schar but kid is pretty open minded.
Each school will have a placement report. If it’s not on line, ask for it.
Poli Sci grads probably have a rough time.
But you should contact the department.
Less scientific is looking at individuals on linkedin.
Better you get data than anecdotes. JMUs report is below but doesn’t show by major.