<p>I have a passion for international relations and foreign languages, and am interested in pursuing a career in that field of study. I am currently trying to decide between Georgetown's School of Foreign Service and Columbia University's Department of Political Science. I know Georgetown's prime location is a significant asset for students in this major. I also know that Columbia's opportunities are similarly extensive, although I am not a fan of picking a school just because it is in the Ivy League. Do you have any insight into why Georgetown (or Columbia) would be a better place for what I hope to study?</p>
<p>As one who attended both schools (Columbia for Grad and SFS undergrad), I would go to Georgetown again at the undergrad level, particularly for IR. At Georgetown SFS there is multidisciplinary approach to IR that cannot be duplicated by any traditional political science, history or economics department. The policy orientation and opportunities to interact with the major IR players are also greater in Washington than NYC. Save Columbia for Grad School.</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice. I forgot to mention an opportunity I was offered at Columbia to be a "John Jay Scholar." I am not sure what this is exactly, and don't know whether this should affect my decision. Do you know anything about this scholar program and whether Georgetown has similar groups?</p>
<p>Vienna makes a good point, but in New York, you will have the same opportunities as you will in DC. The UN and many other NGO's are headquartered in New York, just as they are in DC. From what I have heard, being a "John Jay Scholar" is an incredible opportunity--and something that will definitely stand out on any resumes/grad school app's you might be filling out! It is basically a training program for future political world leaders. I think Barack Obama was a John Jay Scholar. Georgetown might be tough to pass up because of location, but connections to IR bigwigs are just as strong in NYC as they are in DC. The same multidisciplinary approach is used at Columbia as it is at Georegtown, and almost every Ivy caliber school these days (see Penn's website for its 2006 manifesto on "multidisciplinary learning"). So while Georgetown is a great place to go, being a John Jay Scholar at Columbia might be an opportunity not worth missing out on--especially because of your interests/aspirations.</p>
<p>Both are a great option academically, so I encourage you to consider the more personal aspects of what would make one a fit over the other. They are quite different places socially, etc.</p>
<p>Washington is a much better city than New York and, all things being equal, you would be much better off in Georgetown than Columbia.</p>
<p>I'd say Georgetown would probably be better for International relations and foreign language. I'm not really familiar with Columbia and int'l relations. City-wise, I'd say NYC is better than DC. I've been around the DC area forever since I have family in the area, and I've been @ Gtown for 3 years. I've lived in the NYC area forever. I personally think that NYC has more to offer in terms of excitement, places to visit, nightlife, and a varying experience. Most people here tend to stay in NW DC, which hardly is representative of all of DC. I guess i love the school, just not the city. Columbia has a smaller campus, but it is also a defined campus. Also, think about where you'd like to work after, as many people get internships here in DC, then end up getting a job offer the next year. NYC has the United Nations, as well as a ton of consulates, etc. DC has a ton of embassies, the World Bank, etc.</p>
<p>john jay scholar is a great opportunity. i agree with casey, go to columbia.</p>
<p>Georgetown- Columbia doesn't even offer an IR major.</p>
<p>Columbia also offers a 5 year International Affairs Program.</p>
<p>DC better than NYC? LMAO for what perhaps your confusing NYC for some CHicago, LA, Boston etc. Please check the link: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NYC%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NYC</a> NYC is the Mecca of the US and one the top in the world....for anything :) Please stop! Truly take ten minutes and read the link then speak about DC being better than NYC...LMAO again..Also, Columbia just got (I will continue to post this until people realize what a run this has been for CU in the last ten years):</p>
<p>Columbia University Faculty have won many Nobel prizes in the last 10 years, e. g. Horst Stormer (Physics) Richard Axel (Medicine), Edmund Phelps (Economics), Joseph Stiglitz (economics-although he just came to Columbia), Orhan Pamuk (literature-new Faculty addition in SIPA), Eric Kandel (Medicine), William Vickrey (Economics-awarded 1996 now deceased), RObert Merton (SEAS grade-Economics 1997/I know this is not fair, but it's a recent one), RObert Mundell (Economics-1999), Richard Hamilton (foundation for Poincare Proof-over 40, but would have received Fields Medal otherwise with Pearlman), wow.... NYC (the greatest city by an objective measure in the US and maybe, just maybe the world). Part of the college experience is gaining real-world (read internship) knowledge while in college to apply to various fields. While it is true any IVY will allow one to be competitive for a Wall-Street position, most other industries require work experience prior to the entry level job, e.g. Journalism, TV, Marketing, Fashion, etc. Perhaps all students want to go to Wall Street? Also, the Columbia area has improved (due to gentrification) by leaps and bounds. The endowment investment returns have finally started growing competitive to Columbia's peer schools, e.g. 18% last year. Renovations to labs and facilities throughout campus etc.</p>
<p>Hausdorff -</p>
<p>While what you said is true, the original question pertained to a student interested in political science.</p>
<p>I think D.C. would be a better fit for him than New York's Wall Street.</p>
<p>Also, the School of Foreign Service is quite possibly the best undergraduate education one can receive in a political science/international relations field.</p>