Georgetown, GW and American

College Search & Selection
1

<p>All things being equal, which is the best of these three schools for a student committed to a career in Foreign Service and diplomacy, either with the State Department or the UN?</p>

<p>That is, if the student got in, and if financial aid were exactly the same across all three, how would you rank Georgetown's Walsh School of Foreign Service, George Washington's Elliot School of International Affairs, and American's program for International Relations?</p>

<p>I'm sure this question has been discussed before but I'm hoping for some help with a situation that looks like it might become a reality. </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Georgetown is the consensus #1 but I think people will debate on whether American or GW is #2. I would go with AU at #2 and GW at #3, but that’s just my opinion. Either way, SFS is clearly the best.</p>

3

<p>I would go AU at #2 at least in international relations and things of that sort. SFS is the best out of these 3.</p>

4

<p>Georgetown – hands down #1… AU a distant 2nd.</p>

5

<p>Not sure as an undergraduate. I got my MA at GW, and thought it was excellent. I looked at all 3 schools, and made the decision for GW, and don’t regret it.</p>

6

<p>Academically, they are all excellent, with the edge going to Georgetown, but only by a small margin. GWU and American are roughly equal. </p>

<p>However, reputationally, Georgetown is the clear leader, followed by GWU and lastly American, although the latter is still very well regarded in IR circles.</p>

<p>The lonk below provides a ranking that may be of interest.</p>

<p>[UCSD</a> Among Top Universities for International Studies](<a href=“http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/thisweek/2005/oct/10_31_international.asp]UCSD”>http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/thisweek/2005/oct/10_31_international.asp)</p>

7

<p>Georgetown, without a doubt. (Much) farther down, GWU.</p>

8

<p>Thanks everybody for your comments.</p>

<p>What if the mix included Brown as well?</p>

9

<p>I agree that Georgetown owns the title for reputation. Probably also for selectivity. Of course, all three universities have good faculties and strong programs in this area. It’s not as if there’s a bad choice among the three.</p>

<p>I think the “what about Brown” question depends on whether you’re talking about your terminal degree.</p>

<p>If you do not plan to add another degree before you look for a job, then Georgetown, GW and American are all closely connected to government agencies, including but not limited to State. Students at these schools have incredible opportunities to get their foot in the door, with internships and so on. That’s a real bonus.</p>

<p>If you’re talking about getting a bachelor’s degree en route to an advanced degree and then a diplomatic career, the advantage of the internships is diminished, but other than that, I don’t know how Brown compares.</p>