<p>Hey, so I am having an extremely hard time deciding between Boston College and Syracuse University (Honors). I also have a question regarding Syracuse's Maxwell School. I plan on majoring in Political Science.</p>
<p>On my accepted students day (for Syracuse) a professor in the polisci department told us that the Maxwell School is the number one grad school for public affairs and top 10 for international relations. He said that this has made the polisci department at Syracuse very strong, and that I would actually be taught by the grad school teachers in some classes. Further, he said that my Syracuse diploma would say that I graduated from the Arts & Sciences and the Maxwell School (though not the grad. program of course). How well regarded is the undergrad polisci department of Syracuse? Would I benefit as much from the Maxwell School as he lead me to believe?</p>
<p>Also, how well regarded is Boston College's undergrad political science department? I was told that it is very strong in the American politics subdivision which is probably the one I want.</p>
<p>I attended Syracuse my freshman year and I can say that even then (over forty years ago) taking a class in the Maxwell School (which I did) was a bit different than the rest of the academic experience there (except for philosophy – which was also very good). There was a sense in the air, an attitude, of excellence. One definitely felt that it was better than most and certainly on par (perhaps better) with the best to be had in this country. The late Senator Daniel P. Moynihan taught there among other notables. For the last decade or two it seems the Maxwell School has always been ranked number one! I would seriously read up on what it has to offer, and visit the place.</p>
<p>By coincidence, I finished at BC! It does a have (and did then) a strong poly sci department and it may be what you want. I think that having an illustrious alumnus like Tip O’Neill, former Speaker of the U.S. House, has helped solidify a strong department. Read up and visit.</p>
<p>Ah thank you for the reply! I have visited both, Syracuse once and BC about 4 times since its only 40 mins from my house. Both schools gave good “pitches” for their polisci departments, but coming from themselves its more than a bit biased.</p>
<p>Which do you think would give a better education/environment and more opportunities later on?</p>