Georgetown SFS or Brown

College Search & Selection
1

This is the most difficult decision of my life.

I have been accepted to both the SFS and Brown, and I’m the debate/MUN/politics person. I plan on going to law school and entering the Justice Department, and at some time running for public office.

Now, my family and everyone around me are mesmerized by the Ivy League name Brown, and I can see why. Brown’s Open Curriculum is very attractive to me, as I’d be able to take many different courses, and take classes similarly offered in the SFS core and not worry about my GPA. I’d have access to political internships in the Rhode Island state House, and Rhode Island’s Congressional representation. I’d have access to research opportunities at the Watson Institute and Taubman Center. Let me also mention I’d pay little to none to go to Brown, as Brown has offered me significant financial aid. The only concern I have for Brown is its lack of prominent alumni in politics/law; however, according to post-graduation data, Brown graduates end up at prominent law schools like Harvard, Chicago, Virginia, Columbia, and Stanford. It’s just that Brown graduates that go into law are somewhat rare.

There are also many pros for Georgetown. One, it’s located in the center of D.C. Two, the IR program at Georgetown SFS is highly regarded. Third, the faculty is composed of former heads of state, former ambassadors, etc. Fourth, speakers that often come speak at SFS are giants in the political realm. The main barrier to my attendance would probably be financial aid, which I have not received yet, but I expect to pay around 20~25k (15k more than Brown) calculated via the Net Price Calculator. My other concern is the high student to faculty ratio. Sure, the SFS courses & SFS-specific seminars have around 10 students in them, but other lecture courses have around 500 kids? On top of that, faculty outside of SFS are not as highly regarded as those in SFS. For example, Georgetown’s Philosophy department at the College is weaker compared to Brown’s.

Now all of this is data I personally gathered through posts by alumni of both schools, and from each college’s website.

Let me add that intensity really doesn’t matter to me; I’d probably take as rigorous a curriculum at Brown as SFS’s intense Core. Another option I have is going to Brown undergrad and learn for the sake of learning rather than learning to go into a profession like at Georgetown. After completing Brown undergrad, go to Georgetown for the joint degree in law and foreign service.

Also note my profile picture has a Brown logo, indicating I am leaning towards Brown. While the financial aid at Brown is so appealing, and the environment + academics at Brown is attractive, if it is worth the 15k over a possibly free education at Brown, please let me know before I commit to Brown in the next two weeks.

2

For what you want to do and the cost differential, I would pick Brown. You are going to have to pay for law school, so the money is meaningful. And you’re not giving up anything academically.

3

@gardenstategal

Thank you for your opinion. I’ve been researching a bit more, and apparently the intense Core at Georgetown SFS might limit my law school application:

While the SFS does prepare for foreign service / state department / CIA entrance work, I think in general the Open Curriculum would allow me to have a more liberal education and expose me to the “thorough learning” law school admissions committees like Harvard Law are looking for.

4

While both schools are incredible academic institutions, and the finances may lead you to choose Brown (congrats btw!!) but I wanted to correct the assumption that the SFS core, and the SFS in general, is narrow vocational training.
The requirements are as follows:

1 Prosem (offered in many, many different subjects)
2 humanities and writing courses
2 theology courses
2 philosophy courses
2 engaging diversity courses
2 government courses
3 history courses
4 economic courses
1 political/physical geography course

This core offers a wide breadth of study (and they are introducing a science requirement for the class of 2022). The majors are, however, more limited due to the nature of the SFS (although you can supplement your major with certificates or a language minor).

I don’t intend to persuade you one way or the other, just wanted to provide more information on the SFS. Good luck with whichever institution you choose!