<p>My friend is having trouble choosing between Georgetown and UPenn. She doesn't have an account at CC, so I'm posting her question for her.</p>
<p>"I have to choose between two schools: Georgetown and U Penn. The financial situation at either school is irrelevant, and thus the choice is even more difficult to make. I am yet unsure of what Id like to do in the future, my interests are very eclectic. At U Penn, I am a member of the College of Arts and Sciences. At Georgetown, I am a member of the Walsh School of Foreign Service. I liked the environment at both schools, yet I am leaning towards Georgetown as a result of the fact that its location is more suited to my interests in immigration and politics.</p>
<p>I am worried, however, that as Georgetown is not an Ivy League and not a top school in any of the rankings, my chances of gaining admission to either Harvard or Yale Law will be slimmer. Does the Ivy League reputation count? Is it that important? Furthermore, I have heard several people disseminate an opinion that Georgetown is an average school, and that attending U Penn will enhance my credibility in all the ways that Georgetown cannot. Is this true? "</p>
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<p>If you're worried about the Ivy League name... Gtown was asked to be an Ivy some years ago, but turned down the offer b/c it didn't want to lose its Jesuit indentity... Gtown SFS is the best in Foreign Service... I think Penn A&S is an average school, Penn Wharton is a much different story...</p>
<p>Just to clarify, the Ivy League is an athletic conference, and to the best of my knowledge, Georgetown was never asked to join nor did Georgetown refuse. I do remember reading an article by a sports writer that was written many years ago (1920's, 1930's?), which advocated the inclusion of several schools, including Georgetown, Pitt and Fordham, in the Ivy League, but there was never any follow up and the article referred merely to admission to the athletic conference. Is this what you may be thinking about? In addition, most of the Ivy League schools were founded with a religious affiliation.</p>
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<p>if every school had accepted their ivy bid, then there would be about 40 ivy league schools floating around...;-).</p>
<p>Saying that Penn makes it much easier to get into a Harvard or Yale for Grad School is complete crap, if u look at this Wall Street Journal Ranking (<a href="http://www.wsjclassroomedition.com/pdfs/wsj_college_092503.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.wsjclassroomedition.com/pdfs/wsj_college_092503.pdf</a>) Penn is ranked only one spot above Georgetown with a difference of .3%. This ranking is unique because it basis its methodology off of how many people from each undergraduate institution matriculated into the five best medical, law and business schools in the country (5, 5 and 5, 15 schools in total).</p>
<p>They're both fab and somehwat similar in terms of social life.</p>
<p>To know what these numbers mean, you would have to know a) how many undergraduates there are at the universities, excluding fields like nursing and b) the interests of students. For instance, compared to the other universities you mention, Georgetown may have more students interested in public service and diplomacy rather than law.</p>
<p>There's no way to get perfect numbers and of course there are variables. But it's a starting point and if you look at the link, you'll see that the Ivy League schools collectively sent far more kids to HLS than did other schools. </p>
<p>Of course this may all change by the time the current crop of freshmen get to the point of entering graduate school. The more I read cc, the more it seems that there are a lot of very talented, capable kids at a broad range of universities and colleges. The Ivies definitely don't have a monopoly on talent.</p>
<p>If you don't take account of variables, then the numbers are not meaningful. I mean that literally -- one does not know what the numbers mean -- and so they can't be used as indicators or as part of an argument. There's a whole science to making sense of numbers (statistics) and I wish that all college graduates would learn some of it!</p>
<p>If you're suggesting that I don't understand statistics, I assure you I do. I disagree that the numbers are entirely meaningless. They may only be useful in a gross sort of way but they do make a statement and it's worth having the data. Go back several years and you'll see that Ivy League schools consistently enroll many more graduates at HLS than do non-Ivy schools.</p>
<p>As Shoshi wrote, "UPenn sent 57 students and Georgetown sent 32" to HLS. But you can't look at just the numbers. Since Georgetown has about half the number of students than UPenn, it proportionally sent just as many or more (%-age wise) to HLS. Statistically, there is no definite advantage for UPenn graduates.</p>
<p>Fordham in the Ivy League? Holy ****. Are you kidding me? Fordham sucks ass</p>
<p>Strawboy... hahahaha... just the way you said it</p>
<p>the ivy league was formed in the 1950s so i have no idea what sally is talking about.</p>
<p>Your friend must be some kind of top-notch student to have the choice between two such excellent schools.</p>
<p>I'm sure your friend has already made a choice, but just keep in mind Georgetown SFS is unbelievable. It's different than the college, and incredibly respected. You will find tons of people there who turn down top top schools (HYP etc.). SFS is to policy/politics/public service what Wharton is to busines.</p>