Would it be possible to stretch your $500's buying power by finding a used one? With guitars, buying used can sometimes help, and at this price point, you'll need every advantage you can get. Can your musicology professor(s) guide you?
Maybe eBay?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-11-...AAAOSwf15Z0Uq2
https://www.ebay.com/itm/S-W-OLIVER-....c100005.m1851
cotten