College!

[Kaiser of Arabia]

As you guys know, I'm a Sophmore in Highschool. Which means, being an industrious little *******, I'm begining to look at colleges. I was wondering if any of you Americans had some ideas that could help me out

Well, I'm looking for a college that would allow me to double major in Political Science and International Affairs. My minor options include Italian, German, and Domestic Affairs/Relations. I want one that would allow me to study abroad if possible, maybe in München or Napoli? Also, a nice (metropolitan) area would be nice.

Currently I am 81st in a class of 525. By graduation I'll probably be within the top 50, maybe even better. I have almost all honors classes and within the next two years I'll have 6 APs if I can fit them. My GPA (weighted) is 4.2, hopefully it shall rise to at least a 4.6, and unweighted it is about 3.77. I am in NFL (merit membership only, since we're switching leagues soon I should get alot more points torwards higher membership) and will probably be in NHS soon.

Currently I am looking at William and Mary and Georgetown University. Any other ideas? Or maybe things I should join/take to help me get in?

Thanks mates.

(No swearing college boy - Beirut)

[Byzantine Prince]

Come to Canada, it's astonishingly cheaper and it carries more validity then you would expect. Plus you might be able to legitimately wear Canadian flags on your backpack.

[lancelot]

If you are rich enough you can come to london and feast upon the fruits of British charm and intelligence....

London has some top universities....LSE and Kings college are 2 very good london based unis.

[Ice]

For politics, I suggest American University. I believe in it's in downton Washington D.C.

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

I've never quite understood the concept of Majors and Minors in American universities. Perhaps someone could enlighten me?

[Byzantine Prince]

A major is your main focus for the job you will be doing later. A minor is usually a side-tracked subject of your choice that you think will help you get ahead because you have extra skills. It makes you more specialized.

[SwordsMaster]

A major is your main focus for the job you will be doing later. A minor is usually a side-tracked subject of your choice that you think will help you get ahead because you have extra skills. It makes you more specialized.

But isn't that the point of your degree either way?

[Kaiser of Arabia]

Back on topic, yall! *cracks whip*

[Sasaki Kojiro]

I've never quite understood the concept of Majors and Minors in American universities. Perhaps someone could enlighten me?

For example a major in Computer science at my school is 16 classes worth of credit (with certain requirements). Depending on where you work after college your employer might like it if you have a minor in Electrical Engineering, which requires 6 classes I think.


As for colleges, definitely go for AP classes. You can get college credit and it looks good on your transcript.

[Divinus Arma]

Plan long-term. If you are so industrious, then look at graduate degrees. Go Doctoral eventually. Your undergraduate degree should be focused towards that end. Everybody has a Bachelor's Degree these days. You need the Masters to put yourself above the pack.

If you are considering international affairs and political science as an undergraduate degree, than think about going for a law degree. This is a good lead into elected office, if that is what you desire. If you want to be in government but don't want to campaign for office, then consider a Master of Public Administration and join the ranks of bureaucrats who make the machine actually work. If you prefer private sector management, then go for the MBA, but do it at a well-known university. Obviously Harvard, Pepperdine, Stanford, et al come to mind but there are others that are solid without costing 35k per year.

Remember these Kaiser: Integrity, Vision, Commitment, and Ability. If you have 'em all in equal measure, then nothing can stop you. I can vouch for that personally.

[Kaiser of Arabia]

Plan long-term. If you are so industrious, then look at graduate degrees. Go Doctoral eventually. Your undergraduate degree should be focused towards that end. Everybody has a Bachelor's Degree these days. You need the Masters to put yourself above the pack.

If you are considering international affairs and political science as an undergraduate degree, than think about going for a law degree. This is a good lead into elected office, if that is what you desire. If you want to be in government but don't want to campaign for office, then consider a Master of Public Administration and join the ranks of bureaucrats who make the machine actually work. If you prefer private sector management, then go for the MBA, but do it at a well-known university. Obviously Harvard, Pepperdine, Stanford, et al come to mind but there are others that are solid without costing 35k per year.

Remember these Kaiser: Integrity, Vision, Commitment, and Ability. If you have 'em all in equal measure, then nothing can stop you. I can vouch for that personally.

Well, I was thinking about going into diplomacy actually. Maybe Asian diplomacy? I mean, I'm moderatly interested in Asian politics in general and I'm very much into the Taiwan-China conflict, as well as the situation of the Koreas.

Thanks for the advice, I'm definatly considering my doctorate in Political Science. I still got a few years to think about it, but I'll definatly consider what you've said.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

1. University of Penn. Wharton
2. University of Michagan
3. Stanford

[Kanamori]

The University of Pennsylvania is certainly one of the best universities in the States. For Political Science, I think Georgetown is one of the best. I'm sure both schools have excellent study abroad programs. I might be a bit biased, but Madison rulez. Getting AP tests under your belt is certtainly what I would suggest. For one thing, if you do the right ones, you can get the majority of your requirements out of the way. I took ten AP tests, started college as a sophomore, became a junior after one semester, and all of my requirements are done. And for another thing, if you're planning on going to a good global school -- honestly the best schools are in Britain and in the USA -- you will need to have about four or five AP tests under your belt that you scored fives on. If you are very focused right now, it is probably best to look at the specific programs that schools offer rather than just looking at how they rank overall. It also depends on what you are looking for in a campus, for instance I could never go to a nasty campus like MIT. Georgetown is probably the best choice if you are thinking of a career in Political Science, as I'm sure you could get a meaningful internship in the government there. Getting an internship in Parliament is probably the best thing I've done, and it was basically my AP record that got me the spot. Many people apply and a major politican can obviously write a good recommendation that carries tons of weight when applying for graduate school and maybe for a job in the future. Even if you change your major or intended major, a political internship like that can help you get just about anywhere.

Of course, with all things considered, Madison is the best Public school, and perhaps one of the best overall. With a wonderful skyline and architecture, being the land of Frank Lloyd Wright, the campus is beautiful. The people are wonderful and friendly, even if you're a Republican dinosaur. They're not pretentious as you will find in other top schools, you will not find people acting snooty, when they really have nothing to be snooty about.

Lancelot is right, if you want fun, come to London. Also, as I understand you like your nice shirts and ties, you will find the best in the world here. You cannot leave w/o getting some Jermyn street shirts and ties, renowned and sought after around the world.

[/rant]

[doc_bean]

Come to Europe, it's far cheaper, and it won't hurt if you're interested in international affairs !

[BDC]

Come to Europe, it's far cheaper, and it won't hurt if you're interested in international affairs !

Go to Prague, like the above but with really cheap beer.

[Strike For The South]

Texas A&M best....college...ever. BECOME A FARMER!

[Ice]

1. University of Penn. Wharton
2. University of Michagan
3. Stanford

I'd put Stanford over Michigan.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Yeah, I just listed them. Should have stated no particular order...

[Red Peasant]

Texas A&M best....college...ever. BECOME A FARMER!

And feel those subsidies!


And oh yeah SFTS, we get the drift by now: you think everything in Texas is the best. If you keep on saying it enough you might convince yourself

[Kaiser of Arabia]

I'd love to go shirt/tie shopping in London

I've seen some of the stuff you guys have got over there, and that stuff is beutiful. I don't know though, going to college in another nation... I might do a semester there for cultural studies (and lots of clothes shopping).

I'll probably apply to Penn State as a backup, but at the moment, my crosshairs are still on Georgetown and W&M.

By the end of highschool, I should have about 6 AP classes in (1 next year, 5 in my senior year), which will hopefully mean I'll have at least 5 AP exams with a 5

But thanks again guys, I'm begining to get really nervous about it because my Frenshmen hear was me screwing around and bombing Alg. 2 A.That really killed me, I think.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Don't underestimate AP classes. It will not be easy to get 5s on the tests.

One thing to consider: money. Unless your parents are rich, you'll want scholarships (on the flip side, if you're poor, it makes it easier to get scholarships). Scholarship people like good grades, good SATs, AP & honors classes, school clubs and volunteering. Most conselors and college admittance people put taking honors classes over a perfect GPA.

Also, state schools are generally much cheaper than well-known private schools. Usually, this just means you get bigger bang for you buck. Its also why I'm at a state school and hoping to get into a prestigous school for my masters (with the tuition paid by some big engineering corporation).

Crazed Rabbit

[Csargo]

Come to Canada, it's astonishingly cheaper and it carries more validity then you would expect. Plus you might be able to legitimately wear Canadian flags on your backpack.

I already do that. Although I guess its not really legit. Who cares.

[Ice]

Which state do you live in? Going to school in state will save you or your parents a bunch of money. I mean, just by living in Michigan I will only pay around 18 grand a year compared to the 36 grand id pay out of state.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Which state do you live in? Going to school in state will save you or your parents a bunch of money. I mean, just by living in Michigan I will only pay around 18 grand a year compared to the 36 grand id pay out of state.

How long? Could I move there right before I start up school there?

[Ice]

How long? Could I move there right before I start up school there?

I think a year. If you want to declare for instate tuition, you have to file a lot of paperwork.

[doc_bean]

Which state do you live in? Going to school in state will save you or your parents a bunch of money. I mean, just by living in Michigan I will only pay around 18 grand a year compared to the 36 grand id pay out of state.

I hope that includes housing and living expenses....

[Azi Tohak]

I'm surprised there have been no snide comments on his choice of major.

Anyway, just get good grades (top 10% is a must for those selective universities). Any service clubs you can get in looks good too. DA is right about the advanced degree, but have you thought about pursuing a Bachelors at a state university? I can't remember what state you're from, but that is always a good choice to save money and you still get a good education. Then get a fellowship or whatever the term is for your advanced degree at one of the more prestigious Unis.

Also, don't get so set on one major so early. A friend of mine did that (Poli 'Sci' major) and he just couldn't take how far left the department at KSU was. Now he's a seaman (err... he's in the Navy). That being said, you might change your mind on a lot of things between now and then. Really, it would be a good idea.

I like AP tests. Good starting point. But also remember that just jumping into a sophmore curriculum might not be such a good idea either.

Azi

P.S. Yeah! 800th post! And here I thought it was going to be in the babe thread.

[Ice]

I hope that includes housing and living expenses....

It does.

I forget what just plain tuition is.

[John86]

By the end of highschool, I should have about 6 AP classes in (1 next year, 5 in my senior year), which will hopefully mean I'll have at least 5 AP exams with a 5

Horrah for Hiji. Got my nifty 3.1 gpa, and 1 honors class, which happens to be HONORS GYM. Seriously, they just made it a class this year.

Well anyway, good luck Kaiser. I recently took a trip down to Virginia, we stopped at William and Mary, its a beautiful school.

[Kaiser of Arabia]

Horrah for Hiji. Got my nifty 3.1 gpa, and 1 honors class, which happens to be HONORS GYM. Seriously, they just made it a class this year.

Well anyway, good luck Kaiser. I recently took a trip down to Virginia, we stopped at William and Mary, its a beautiful school.

It is, I love Williamsburg

And I'm not underestemating AP tests, note the hopefully

I plan on writing alot of them scholorship essays like... starting soon. That might get me some money. Plus, I could claim some Indian Hertaige (Seminole) because of some 'doubtful' native american ancestry, and bam, I get the minority card