Suggestions for Good Poli Sci Safeties?

College Search & Lists
1

Hi! I just submitted my applications to a bunch of my high reach schools and now I’m panicking because I’m worried I won’t get into any. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a good political science or public policy safety for me?

My stats:

SAT: 2180 (730,710,740)

SAT II: Math II 730, Lit 750

GPA: 3.93 UW 4.46 W

Class Rank: 1

So far I’m also planning to apply to Northeastern and Tulane, since my sister and all the kids who applied in the past from my school have gotten full scholarships from them. I’d also really like to go to uni in California or NYC, but location’s not that important to me. Also, I’m planning to go to law school afterwards. I’m a US citizen, but I live in Indonesia so I can’t really claim residency in any state :frowning:

Thank you!

2

<<<
So far I’m also planning to apply to Northeastern and Tulane, since my sister and all the kids who applied in the past from my school have gotten full scholarships from them.
<<<

That seems hard to believe.

3

@mom2collegekids Lol, it’s only four kids (top 1%) who have applied in my school’s entire history. 2 to Northeastern and 2 to Tulane.

4

You might want to consider a school such as USC that would seem to represent neither a high reach nor safety for you:

https://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/blog/top-lawyer-producer-schools-infographic/

5

@merc81 Thank you for the link and the suggestion! I actually just submitted my application to USC a few days ago haha

6

Not a safety, but NYU is probably a match, since you mentioned NYC. You won’t likely get a scholarship from them though.

7

@insanedreamer thank you for the suggestion!

8

Trinity (CT) would match your question by two aspects: 1) The school would be excellent for the study of political science. 2) Trin should be able to serve as a true safety for you.

You may also want to consider any school with a term-length program in D.C., both for the option this may provide you directly and as an indicator of the college’s strength in public policy generally.

9

Many West Coast schools are pushing their Asian cultural exchanges and political/economic studies. Your time in Indonesia affirms their focus. U Puget Sound and Santa Clara are great matches for you, and Willamette would be a safety.

10

@merc81 @Oregon2016 thank you!! I will add Trinity, Williamette, and Santa Clara to my list!

11

For your interests, irrespective of your search for a safety on this thread – and excepting, in cases, your stated geographical preferences – I might most highly recommend Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Amherst, Hamilton and Middlebury. I hope you have considered one or more of these colleges for your match/reach selections.

These analyses will help you arrange your prospective additions by their selectively attributes:

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-50-smartest-colleges-in-america-2016-10

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-610-smartest-colleges-in-america-2015-9

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http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/

13

GW should be somewhere on your potential list.

14

Columbia, based on your stated preferences, should probably be among your reaches.

15

And perhaps Fordham as a safety where you could qualify for merit aid.

16

Thank you happy1, Erin’s Dad, and merc81! I’ve added Fordham, GW, and Columbia to my list!! Really hoping I’ll get in haha

17

If the OP is hoping for merit money from Tulane and NE, then the NESCAC schools, like Trinity in CT, Amherst, WIlliams, Hamilton and Midd etc., are not good additions because they don’t give merit awards, only financial aid.

St Lawrence, in upstate NY, has a DC semester and offers merit aid. Denison, in Ohio, has the Lugar program in Poli Sci, which links students with DC internships, and also offers merit aid.

George Washington and American seem like obvious matches to add.

18

Doesn’t Trinity (CT) offer some merit awards?

With respect to the other NESCACs mentioned, I don’t believe the OP has indicated she would be selecting her reach/match colleges based on their merit scholarship policies.

As another reach, assuming you have considered Georgetown @kbn2015 (though I believe you would need SAT subject tests)?

19

^ [Three] SAT subject tests. However Georgetown now only recommends this.

20

@merc81 Trinity CT is a member of NESCAC which, as a group, like the Ivies, does not offer merit aid.

It was unclear to me whether OP was hoping for merit awards, like other students from his school admitted to Tulane and NE.