<p>This Thursday, I was accepted to Columbia and Princeton. Of course, I am ecstatic, but also confused. I think that I want to work internationally (I am not yet sure if in the public or the private sector), and therefore applied and was accepted Early Action at Georgetown's SFS. Which school of these three should I choose? Georgetown, being located in DC, has great opportunities for those who want to study international relations and economics, but I would feel foolish to turn down schools like Columbia and Princeton for the SFS. It also seems to have a great social life and spirit. Columbia rivals Georgetown in location, but its lack of attention towards undergraduates is infamous. It does, however, offer the most languages and has a great Political Science program. Princeton, on the other hand, is the most selective and highest ranked of the three but, as far as I know, does not offer the international breadth that Georgetown and Columbia do. So...where should I go?</p>
<p>Go where you think you will be happiest and where you think you will have the most enriching experience. It sounds like to me that you want to go to Georgetown but as you say, feel “foolish” turning down the Ivies. Don’t feel foolish–at the end of the day, it’s about fit, not about which school has the highest ranking. At this point, you can’t make a wrong decision (all are very strong academically), but you can make a decision based on what you think you should do, not on what you want to do. If you want to study international relations, DC is the place to be-- the breadth of opportunity found in the city alone through internships and resources is incredible. Don’t be afraid of your gut instinct. You have to spend your next four years at whichever place you choose–so choose the place you know will both challenge you on an intellectual level and excite you at the same time.</p>
<p>Personally, my order would be:</p>
<ol>
<li>Princeton</li>
<li>Georgetown</li>
<li>Columbia</li>
</ol>
<p>I would go to Princeton, no doubt.</p>
<p>Don’t forget you can do internships in DC (or NY) no matter where you go to college. I am concerned about the “great social life and spirit” that you mention at Georgetown, but I hope other students can tell me if I’m wrong about that.</p>
<p>1.Columbia
2.Princeton
3.Georgetown</p>
<ol>
<li>Columbia - it’s columbia. it also has an awesome political science dpt and is in ny.</li>
<li>georgetown - SFS is world-famous, in the heart of the political world</li>
<li>Princeton - suburban New Jersey. need I say more?</li>
</ol>
<p>D is IR major in DC. Completely changed her life- loves every minute and can’t imagine being anywhere else. On the other hand, Manhattan??? What’s not to like? you have quite a choice to make. Can you travel to these schools and hang out? PS: Congrats</p>
<p>I visited Columbia and GTown and I chose Gtown over Columbia. While being on recruiting visits I had the chance to stay on both campuses for a couple days and experience life there. </p>
<p>I liked Gtown better because of people and location. I couldn’t see myself living in Manhattan. C’s campus is nice, but very small. It doesn’t have the usual college feel. C never has the sports spirit Gtown has, if that’s important for you…</p>
<p>I could talk alot here, but just feel free to ask questions!</p>
<p>I would not turn down Princeton.
THe very fact that you are a Princeton student/alum will open doors for you, in terms of internships and summer employment while studying there, and in terms of full employment thereafter.
More importantly, I do not think that any school in the US can boast an undergrad academic experience that is superior to Princeton’s.
So, all that being said, if you feel comfortable at Princeton (i.e., a good “fit”) and like the campus and the town (I was visiting just last month and thinks it’s terrific), I would choose Princeton.</p>