<p>All things equal, which school (Columbia College or Georgetown College, not SFS) has the stronger/more respected department to study philosophy and political theory?</p>
<p>Also: Do law schools look at one school any stronger than the other?</p>
<p>Columbia and Georgetown are different in many ways but mostly with regard to location, social life, student body, atmosphere, etc. On the other hand both schools have very strong philosophy and political theory departments. In fact, there is very little difference, especially from a law school perspective. </p>
<p>FWIW, LSAT scores and GPA will weigh much more heavily in your law school application than whether or not you study at Georgetown or Columbia.</p>
<p>Good luck with your research and your applications. You can't go wrong with either of these two schools.</p>
<p>i think columbia is probably better at those areas. If your looking more for application then Georgetown but if you want theory, which i think you do, then Columbia's probably better. Although both of them are good its really a win-win and i would choose more over what fit you like more.</p>
<p>I think hellohi1 got it right. In most academic fields, Georgetown emphasizes application more than theory (while Columbia probably emphasizes theory). You have to decide which approach you like more. Columbia's philosphy department probably garner's more respect in the world of academia (if that is what you are interested in), but Georgetown's political theory may garner more respect on Capital Hill and among political socialites. It's a give and take.</p>
<p>I would be hard pressed to believe that two identical students at either Georgetown or Columbia would have an advantage over the other when applying to any Law School (except when you are applying to your alma mater's school of law of course). Do well in school, and rock the LSATs. Law school admissions is very much a "numbers" game. But to play the game the right way from the beginning, you need to attend a school that fits you.</p>
<p>thanks all of you. </p>
<p>well, i like DC better than NYC (not necessarily because its the capitol, rather because i like the city itself) and, even though id like to avoid a pre-professional education, i am leaning towards georgetown...is grade deflation/inflation an issue at GU?</p>
<p>I would choose Georgetown, just a better location, great basketball team, probably a better experience. Columbia in general is more academically oriented, but political theory is Georgetown's best department and can easily compete with Columbia.</p>
<p>is political theory a department? or do the philosophy/government courses take a political theory bent?</p>
<p>To be completely honest about Georgetown, I would say that there is a bit of grade inflation that takes place. It really depends on the course, and perhaps the department that offers the course. I was a Biology major, and grades sometimes depended on the teacher. I had some teachers who refused to give A's, some who only gave A's to the top 10 or 20%, and others who probably gave half the students an A or A-. It really depends on the teacher and the department.</p>
<p>I do remember that my two required philosophy classes were very rigorous, and taught by teachers who thought a B- was a "good" grade in their class (well it isn't when you want to go to Law or Medical school.) On the whole however, across all departments, I think Georgetown does show a bit of grade inflation. </p>
<p>Actually, the administration formed a committee to seriously look at the academic/intellectual life on campus in additon to the core curriculum. You can read an article about it in the Georgetown Voice Magazine The</a> Georgetown Voice | Front Page. Basically, Georgetown's heads do not think the student body is being challenged to their potential, and gears are in motion to abolish any grade inflation on campus and to promote a more rigorous and intellectual experience for all students. They also hope to revamp the entire core curriculum to foster intellectual curiosity via fewer requirements, more open-ended requirements, and the like. I really think that the next 4-5 years will be very exciting for Georgetown as it adjusts its image and curriculum. But in the end, it will probably mean you will need to work harder to get into a good Law School.</p>
<p>I don't know the answer to the OP's question, but several posters have written that NYU has an outstanding philosophy department. Philosophy is regarded as one of the most intellectually challenging majors, so you may also want to attend the university with the brightest students. Between Columbia and Georgetown, Columbia probably has stronger students in arts and sciences. The University of Chicago may also be worth a look if they have a sizable # of philosophy students. Also consider universities that permit outstanding undergraduates to take graduate courses.</p>