<p>I am an International student (from Spain) that will study in the US. I was accepted EA to Northeastern University and I plan to dual major in either Pol.Sci and economics or Poli.Sci and International Affairs (any of this options with a minor in Law, policy and society). I know that Northeastern is not especially known for its Pol.Sci. program, but NEU has great faculty indeed (f.ex. Dukakis teaches there). Furthermore, they offer a concentration within the Pol.Sci major on Public Policy and administration. Since I would like to go to Law School and eventually work in the US as a political consultant, this major combined with NEU’s unique co-op program and a prospective good academic standing makes the path not that difficult. To make the decision more difficult, NEU is actually going up in a lot of rankings, and the current administration is really focused on fulfilling this objective.</p>
<p>However, I also applied to AU because I know they do have a strong Pol.Sci program. AU is in DC as well, and I think that will makes easier when it comes to internships with political consultants. I have some friends living in DC and they have told me time and again the prestige that AU has in Political Science and Int. Relations. They have even told me that when it comes to Public Policy, there’s not a better school (they say GTWN is much more based on pol. theory)…</p>
<p>What do you think?</p>
<p>I think I may be accepted to AU, so… I NEED YOUR HELP!!!</p>
Faculty: Dukakis is full of prestige, but he only teachers 1 or 2 undergraduate classes a semester. There are nearly 16,000 undergrads at NEU, and with a 15:1 ratio – the odds of you getting in to his class at all are pretty slim. 94% of the professors at AU have the highest degree in their field, and 0% of the classes here are taught by TAs. As you also said, NEU is not well-known for it’s Political Science/International Relations programs. AU is, and just built a state of the art (and green) International Relations Building.</p>
<p>-Curriculum: While they offer a concentration in Public Policy – all your degree will say is Major: Political Science - Public Policy. AU offers multiple majors within the colleges of SPA and SIS.
School of Public Affairs:
Interdisciplinary Studies: CLEG (Communications, Law, Econ, Government) ** this seems to fix the need for a dual major, unless you really want to
Justice
Law and Society
Government</p>
<p>You can also get a minor in Public Administration and Policy</p>
<p>School of International Service:
International Studies
Language and Area Studies (Based on Whatever Language/Area)</p>
<p>Co-Ops: While not ranked like NEU’s Co-Op program (which is really impressive), American University does have one that many students take advantage of. I’ve done an internship every semester (and summer) I’ve been in DC and all of them for no credit. AU has an outstanding Career Services Center and a database of internships/jobs exclusive to AU students and alumni. Likewise, as you’ve apparently heard, AU has a reputation in DC and that goes a long way when it comes to getting hired as well. Plus, for your major there is no place better. This, follows the mantra around here that AU is what you make it. There are ENDLESS opportunities for internships here, but no one is going to force you to do anything. </p>
<p>Either way: You’re going to get great career services, and a pretty decent college town. So the best of luck :)</p>
<p>I may be totally off-base here, but one possible issue that comes to mind is whether your student visa would permit you to take jobs under Northeastern’s co-op system. </p>
<p>I have to concur with others that for government/poli sci/international affairs, American is the top choice academically. Lifestyle is another consideration you may want to take into account. Although both schools are located in major cities, AU’s campus is in a suburban corner of DC; NU, though it does have a real campus (unlike many urban schools), has a much more urban feeling than AU–the Boston subway/trolley system has two stops right on campus. </p>
<p>@MommaJ: “one possible issue that comes to mind is whether your student visa would permit you to take jobs under Northeastern’s co-op system”
Yes, I can take jobs under Northeastern co-op system. With the F-1 visa I can take any job that is provided to me through university. I know that you have to do some paperwork right before, but after that, you can… I had the very same doubt!</p>
<p>Hi Cocufato, I have seen your posts on the NEU, AU, and Pitt sites. My daughter has applied to all those as well, accepted to Pitt and NEU, waiting for RD AU decision later (just like you!) From reading your posts, it’s my humble opinion that for YOU, AU would be your best choice, followed probably by NEU and then Pitt, although all three are good schools. For you, I don’t think you can beat AU for your areas of interest. Is money a concern at all? Have you also applied to other schools in the US?</p>
<p>thank you all for your help!!! @Saf: No, money is not a concern… I got a scolarship (that pays me EVERYTHING ) from a Spanish private society. I have also applied to Wake Forest, to GWU and to GTWN (being Georgetown out of reach)… Anyway, I already have the “no”, don’t I?
However, as I have already said, some family friends living in DC have told us that although Georgetown is… well, Georgetown, AU is the best possible place for for public policy analysis. I have not been able to visit any of those colleges, due to the huge amount of time and money that a visit would require.</p>
<p>Last year my son faced the same decision (Between AU & NEU) but for business. My concerns at the time were</p>
<ol>
<li><p>whether the ability to get internship would be a problem at NEU due to the economy. Their whole program is based around the coops, and I was concerned that if the economy got worse, they wouldn’t be able to place students in the coops that they needed to complete their requirements. I haven’t been following it since he made the decision to go to AU last spring, but I did get some feedback that they were having a little bit of difficulty last spring. Because AU is in DC, and DC is booming, their programs ahve not been affected to the same degree. </p></li>
<li><p>AU is much smaller than NEU and has a more supportive environment. At NEU if you don’t follow the rules and get everything you need in on time, you are in trouble. AU provides a little bit more help.</p></li>
<li><p>Last spring, AU has committed to spend $63 million dollars to expand the faculty over the following 3 years. In contrast, every other school we visited was talking about how they were trying to not let cuts affect the students’ education</p></li>
</ol>
<p>That is so fantastic about the scholarship cocufato!! You are very fortunate. OK, with your other potential choices in the mix, I say go for any of the schools in DC if (and when!) you get in. AU, GWU and Georgetown are perfect for your interests and you really can’t beat DC for what you want to study and do with your future/career. If you get in 2 or all 3, then you will have some major deciding to do! Best of luck and keep us all posted on what happens.</p>
) from a Spanish private society. I have also applied to Wake Forest, to GWU and to GTWN (being Georgetown out of reach)… Anyway, I already have the “no”, don’t I? 