I agree. OP does not meet the guaranteed admit criteria (seems to be missing a visual arts class, and is likely not in the top 10% of the class.) For Class of 2030, 6,265 of 9,042 (~69%) in-state admits were guaranteed admits. Noting the grandfather being a legacy/donor is a wild card.
Like I said above, it’s difficult for counselors to predict how extenuating circumstances will be evaluated at a given college, so I defer to OP’s counselor to categorize UTK. For CC’ers, it’s even more difficult to predict (it’s really not possible) because there is so much of the app we can’t see. And if the counselor doesn’t write about the circumstances in the LoR, chances decrease (OP hasn’t answered whether or not the counselor is writing about it in the LoR.)
You seem very keen on Villanova and BC. Are you Catholic, OP?
One guy’s opinion, but I see a kid with a 4.0 post freshman year, 34 ACT and a great story. You aren’t crazy to apply to the schools you’re considering.
Curious as to why you’re not including UGA on your list. Are you not considered in-State if you’re living with your Grands?
Howard and Morehouse have to be approached carefully. They won’t accept you if they don’t think you’ll come. Your profile reads like a kid who will have other options, so you’ll have to sell them hard that they’re your top choice. That said, they have money for kids with your stats.
What, no Hampton?
Someone asked above whether you’re recruitable. What are you times and distances in the 400 and LJ?
Alumni of which of these three schools? All of them? In any case, the prestige of Morehouse and Howard rivals that of some of the schools listed in your original post, in my opinion. It’s interesting that your family thinks otherwise.
Based on your profile I would look at Penn State, Fordham and Villanova as likely, Lehigh, Richmond, BU and Northeastern as toss-ups, and agree with Boston College and Tufts being your two most challenging schools.
I don’t think either Boston College are Tufts are unrealistic reach schools for you though and I would indeed encourage you to ED1 or ED2 those two schools. In my opinion, they are by far the two best schools on your list and by going early decision you will certainly improve your chances.
I would caution anyone with a “best” tag on schools for an IR major. When you look at the gamut of politicians, like during the trump trials, you had Kent State and Christopher Newport at the forefront. When you look at embassy staff, it’s from all over.
When we were at W&L touring, the professor for the DC program noted Sewanee places more per capita in DC than any other school.
If OP doesn’t have money, they can’t afford Nova - which doesn’t meet need (unless they will for him) but they are forthrifght that they don’t.
OP already said they can’t afford Penn State - so while OP wants “prestigious” whatever that means, they will be surprised that they can experience DC, go abroad and even intern at top organizations in DC, no matter where they attend school, as my regional college kid - and there were lots of offers so I imagine for a hustler, the opportunities will be plentiful. And they are on campus too at the right program. My daughter got lucky - she didn’t know about the Mroz Institute or accomplished and experienced professors such as David Merkel, when she chose it over others. But there was awesome opportunities to meet with ambassadors, diplomats and more - and she worked her tail off too.
I don’t think “best school” or perceived prestige has anything to do with it.
Like any student, living within your means, especially when you’re likely headed to grad school or a low paying job should have everything to do with it.
So look at schools - what they offer enrichment wise, at their faculty bios to see if they have real world experience - but don’t assume a name higher in US News will matter, especially within this major.
This is sound advice. And OP- TSBNA and I NEVER agree!
The key is fluency in a strategic language (you can find the list on the State Department’s website) and the depth of the history, political, economic and cultural studies classes in the regions of interest. There are “top” programs that don’t have a single class covering off Korea or India, despite how critical understanding these two countries is and will continue to be. There are “top” programs that ignore monetary policy-- that’s for the econ majors, despite how critical it is for the smooth functioning of the globe right now. etc.
OP, you eliminated Penn State but just in case: yes PSU is likely to be about 60k.
Definitely submit your test score.
The only advantage you’d have there over UTK is that, being in the College of Liberal Arts, you’d be eligible to try for the challenge of being a Paterno Fellow - you sign yourself in as an Aspirant and if you meet their criteria, you get into Schreyer and graduate a Schreyer scholar. Part of your first year classes are the enriched Schreyer version and you’re part of a top 5 Honors program with an individual adviser, innovative courses, special opportunities, etc.
So if you do have the money it can be worth it compared to “plain” UTK. If you don’t, don’t worry about it.
Btw I certainly consider Morehouse/Howard more prestigious than Penn State.
For a safety, look into Goucher. It’s traditionally been well connected to diplomacy and has an exchange with Johns Hopkins.
American University may be worth looking into, too. A target if you apply for a foreign language/history major (if you get high grades you may be able to switch into IR). A reach if you apply to SIS.
I know, that’s why I spoke about Paterno Fellow Aspirants. If OP signs up for the Aspirant challenge, they’re in. That’s it. After that it’s up to them not to be kicked out. And if they complete the required courses (1st year Schreyer courses+ 1st year honors courses for their major) they’re admitted to Schreyer. It rests on their work ethics in college only.
Whereas OP is unlikely to get into UTK Honors due to their HS transcript.
However if OP can’t afford 60k, which is a huge amount of money, it’s no big deal.to look for other universities than PSU.
I’m wondering about the 3.3 gpa at the end of jr. year. If you average 2.5 and 4.0 for sophomore year, the gpa should be 3.25 or so if the number of credits each year are about the same. Then adding in a 4.0 for junior year should carry it past 3.3. Did you have to repeat any classes? Or was the grading different at your first school, requiring some type of adjustment?