<p>What’s the difference? Accepted at both, got nice Fin. Aid package from AU, but no info from GW yet.</p>
<p>I’m planning on doing PolySci or something along those lines. Having visited both schools, I’m still undecided as I like them both.</p>
<p>Suggestions?</p>
<p>I think that you should go to whichever you like better. I am in the same position as you. If I do not get money from GW i am looking at about 25K a year to go to AU instead of 50K a year to go to GW. I personally like GW much better, I got a better recpetion when I visited, I was more impressed by their students, and I have heard better things about GW (A georgetown rep told me that GW was almost as good at International RElations as AU).
However, the 25K more a year is alot. I think that you need to visit if possible or atleast call and then decide as to what is the best fit for you.</p>
<p>I'm in the same position but will be doing International Studies instead of Poli Sci. I think I am going to be choosing AU because:</p>
<ul>
<li>I like the campus better... it has the traditional campus feel within Washington, which is hard to do, and I feel safe there</li>
<li>I like the housing better... no way will I get stuck in a room with 4-6 girls at GW... also, housing is short at GW and I read in their own newspaper that often people get stuck on the Mt. Vernon campus when they don't want to be there</li>
<li>The program for International Studies is probably better</li>
<li>I think I will like the students better</li>
<li>I got a good scholarship that I don't expect to get from GWU</li>
<li>AU has a lot of awesome abroad opportunities</li>
<li>AU offers a five-year BA/MA program and you don't have to decide you're in it until junior or senior year</li>
</ul>
<p>So, obviously I think AU is the better choice for me, but it may not be for you. I would say sit down and compare aspects of the school... campus, housing, academics, social life, financial... whatever you think is important to you. The answer should come easily.</p>
<p>
[quote]
- The program for International Studies is probably better
[/quote]
That would be a negative.</p>
<p>^^ any proof? The AU international studies program is top of the line. Don't think so?? </p>
<p>Check your source...</p>
<p>"I haven't seen any rankings out on the internet, so this will be mostly out of our own heads. My rankings"</p>
<p>How about you read the whole post, most people place American over GW for foreign affairs.</p>
<p>Not to mention the internships for students at GW and AU undergrad are virtually identical. One school just costs 1/2 as much. You make the decision.</p>
<p>How about read my ONLY post. CHECK YOUR SOURCE. High school kids, biased undergrads, and parents ARE NOT a legitimate source. Let's take a look at something a little more empirical.</p>
<p>"(30) What do you consider the top five terminal masters programs in international relations for students looking to pursue a policy career?</p>
<p>George Washington University - 149 responses - 26%
American University - 92 responses - 16%"</p>
<p>Yes, I know that is for graduate programs, but seeing as that is the closest thing there is to an actual peer ranking of international relations programs, deal with it. Don't get me wrong, they're both good schools, but look at the undergrad stats for both universities. GW ties or is greater in every category.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/profiles/admissions.asp?listing=1023934<id=1&intbucketid=%5B/url%5D">http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/profiles/admissions.asp?listing=1023934<id=1&intbucketid=</a>
<a href="http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/profiles/admissions.asp?listing=1022790<id=1&intbucketid=%5B/url%5D">http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/profiles/admissions.asp?listing=1022790<id=1&intbucketid=</a></p>
<p>As for me, i'm going to school on a full scholarship, i've already made my decision. My advice to the original poster is to go whereever is cheaper (AFTER financial aid) and whereever they feel more comfortable.</p>
<p>To me, both schools by "the numbers" look drastically similar. The statistics that you produced(graduate school opinions by IR scholars) ranked American and GW right next to each other in both PHD programs and MA Programs. Sure, if you get a full scholarship to GW, then its worth it; however for most that is not the case. If both schools are similar across the board(and im confident you will find similar professors and internship opportunities at both schools) then you should pick the more affordable option, ie. American. </p>
<p>GW's "prestige" is really imo overrated. Anyone that pays 50K for undergrad at GW is nuts.</p>
<p>I agree. I'm not trying to start a pis.sing contest over which school is better but in general the rank in DC seems to go G-Town, GW, American. Both 3 schools all have the advantage of being in DC and the quality of education among them is probably about equal and dependent on what effort you put into your studies.</p>
<p>Along with the financial line (although I would NOT recommend picking a college based on where you get the most money) you should consider that if you're going to a really expensive school you may not be able to do anything abroad. I plan on taking at least two abroad opportunities and I would never be able to do that at GW. </p>
<p>Also, here is the ranking based on the study above (I believe... they were both done by W&M and I can't imagine they did that many surveys like this):</p>
<ol>
<li>Johns Hopkins University</li>
<li>Georgetown University</li>
<li>Harvard University</li>
<li>Tufts University</li>
<li>Columbia University</li>
<li>Princeton University</li>
<li>George Washington University</li>
<li>American University</li>
<li>Syracuse University</li>
<li>University of California, San Diego</li>
</ol>
<p>If American is right next to GW that could be because of the sampling of professors they took or any other number of factors. That's close enough for me.</p>
<p>If you're a student that goes out there and makes things happen, networks, and does the work, then the difference between GW and AU is negligible. GW is only worth it if it's within $5K of what American costs. Neither school is going to pin you down in terms of opportunity. </p>
<p>Let's not forget that the big 3 in DC, American, GW, and Georgetown are remarkably tight knit socially. Students are very well-connected across campuses. If you really want to hang out with G-Town kids, you can. Also G-Town takes almost 30% of transfers. That's always a possibility if you do well at AU. You'd just pay a little less of that high tuition.</p>
<p>Seriously, American is really, really good school. I'm at GW now and wished I went to AU. American has gotten very competitive in the last few years because kids are realizing how awesome a school (acdemically/socially) it is. The kids are really friendly and open at AU which is refreshing. I went and visited once and enjoyed myself. I wish I could say the same about GW. AU's one real flaw is campus...lord! It's really small and odd-looking. Anyhoo, if like small, closed campuses, then AU is for you!</p>
<p>Yes, it's an interesting layout. Yet, it's surprisingly cozy. </p>
<p>Hellobaby, how many years have you been at GW? Also we know your opinion of AU vs. GW. What's your take on AU/GW vs. Gtown?</p>
<p>I'm also in this situation. I love GW, but I literally got NO f. aid. 53k a year is way too much for my parents-- I can't/parents won't let me come out of undergraduate school with a loan in the triple digits. Anyway, AU is doable for me, and AU is great and has basically the same oppertunities as GW (though I hope to go to GW for graduate school). I hope I'm making the right decision (even though I have never been on either AU's or GW's campus!)</p>
<p>GW grad school? Why not shoot higher, like JHU or Georgetown? AU's grad school in IR is similar to GW's.</p>
<p>bravesboy: i don't think its a "vs" thing when it comes to comparing schools. Its about what is best for you. I am the type of person who likes a campus environment. I like being able to look outside my dorm window and see my best friends tossing around a frisbee. You don't really get that at GW... yet again, a friend of mine @ GW, likes the feeling of living in a real urban hip environment. My ex- "guy i'm dating" at g-town, likes the old cathloic feel of his school. Like its really up 2 the individual. </p>
<p>I know that didn't really help... but thats my take on it. good luck!! :)</p>
<p>Ryan2288- I want to go to their School of Political Management, which is the best in the country. I want to go into campaign politics, and their degree specializes in the field. It's known as the best school of pol. management (as opposed to poli sci or gov. ma). Thats one of the reasons why I really liked GW for undergraduate- the school of media and public affairs has a 5 year ba/ma with the school of pol. management, which I wanted to do. But I can't pay for GW for 5 years, and so its probably AU (which is actually kinda funny, considering I got into UCLA but hated it and thus chose AU) and GW for grad school.</p>
<p>I'm a junior at G-Dub. I mean, GWU and AU pretty much on the same level acdemically. However, I feel Georgetown students feel more superior than G-Dub/American. Basically, they're like, GW=G-Town safety school and American=crap school and that's bull!</p>