This past weekend, I completed my Midatlantic College Tour and I was extremely pleased with the schools I visited. As someone whose dream is to live in Washington DC, I visited American University, Georgetown, and George Washington University. All three schools were good options on an academic basis for my ideal major in International Relations/Foreign Service, however my impressions of each school differed.
- I thought American University was a fantastic option academic wise, especially because I can double major in Journalism and International Relations within their three year program. They also offer plenty of merit aid which I am very dependent on as I don't want to spend all of my college fund all on tuition if possible so I can put it towards higher education after my Bachelor's. Internships are readily available, especially in the federal government. However, from a personal standpoint, I was alright with the campus but I wasn't especially impressed. I got a very calm vibe from the school and I think I can be successful, but I felt as though it missed some action.
- I loved Georgetown in every aspect. It had a stunning campus and I loved the competitiveness that you could feel between the students. I also am in love with the Georgetown area and obviously it has a prestigious reputation. But Georgetown offers NO merit aid and the tuition is super expensive. I don't know if that is worth it. But if the opportunities for internships are better there than any opportunity, I would still like to consider it.
- I wasn't a big fan of George Washington just due to my personal preferences but it seemed like a good school!
So, overall, I want to focus on campus life (the physical campus, how students act, etc), the price of tuition or the ability to earn a merit scholarship, and how jobs or internships will interpret a major in International Relations or Foreign Service from either school. Does anyone have any commentary on either school?
ultimately, georgetown is considered to be a much better school than au. both are great in different aspects, but it’s significantly more difficult to get into georgetown. maybe that will alter your views or help you to understand which ou could get into and which you couldn’t. (maybe you can get into both!!)
I applied to American (awaiting decision and Georgetown (accepted EA). Georgetown is much better academically/reputation wise. However, I do know that American has a great communications program and it sounded like there were a lot of opportunities in the journalism vein when I visited.
To me, AU students seem more laid-back than Georgetown students. American also seem to be more liberal (think the classic far left PC-culture) whereas Georgetown is more traditional.
When it comes to internships, Georgetown simply has a better rep. That said, American has really good stats for the amount of students who intern and how many internships they do.
I have never heard of AU students having problems getting prime internships. If you are a good student and present yourself well, you will get internships as an AU student. Georgetown is a higher ranked school and harder to get into. If you get into both schools, finances may play a part in your decision.
My son graduated last year from AU and had a fabulous experience there. He had great internship opportunities and got a fabulous job in his major (International Relations) in DC. His dream had always been to attend Georgetown, but he did not get accepted. That said I think it was for the best he got a ton of scholarship money from AU and is now considering attending grad school in another year so all that money we would have spent at Georgetown can go to grad school. AU students are very engaged politically, but also know how to enjoy themselves. They seem to be a very happy and successful group!! All of his AU friends are now happy and gainfully employed and most stayed in DC.
Georgetown is famous (especially its School of Foreign Service) and is in a cool location. It is considered the better university. However, many AU students go on to do graduate programs at Georgetown, SAIS, Harvard etc. One thing to be wary of is that AU can be stingy on financial aid. Georgetown is said to be more generous.
I am curious why you think AU gives a lot of merit aid.