Georgetown SFS vs. Columbia-Sciences Po Dual BA

College Search & Selection
1

I need help deciding between both of these programs.

I am interested in the intersection between the social sciences and STEM and would like to pursue a career in the private sector. Not super interested in research, but that could change as well.

At SFS (School of Foreign Service) I’m considering the Science Technology and International Affairs major

Not too sure about Sci Po/Columbia

Which program would open up the most avenues for me? Please let me know what you think + any pros and cons. I am fortunate that cost is not a factor in the decision… I care more about the educational experience, in-program and future opportunities, as well as the student body that I will network with.

I love Georgetown but people are telling me that the Ivy league brand is very helpful and I also love Columbia/ NY.

1 Like
2

Costs don’t matter? I’d pick Georgetown. SFS will likely open as many or more doors than GS (by alumni outcomes, Georgetown and Columbia are peers anyway). And I’ve heard that the actual education at Sciences Po is dreadful compared to elite American privates.

3

Would be helpful to share what “STIA” & “SFS” mean if you want meaningful responses.

4

SFS is Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service and STIA is their Sciences, Tech, and International Affairs major.

5

Georgetown’s School of Foreign Services created the perfect major for your goals.

Columbia is more prestigious without Sciences Po.

Choose the enhanced Georgetown degree rather than the watered down Columbia degree.

6

SFS, definitely.
If you want to spend time in France, study abroad for a semester or even a year, G’Town will have many offerings - you can spend 6 weeks in the summer for a special “politics” program, spend a semester in Paris then a semester in a very different city (Poitiers, Nantes, or Strasbourg would be my recommendations, with the smaller town first - Poitiers is like 2h from Paris, Nantes perhaps 2 1/2?, Strasbourg the same)… all while benefiting from the exact program you’re interested in and the influence of G’town SFS.

1 Like
7

Honestly, you are going to have great career opportunities from either. Most employers will see both as generally good schools and not focus too much on the specific (SFS/Sciences Po). But, academics wise, STIA at Georgetown really is one of a kind so if that’s your interest, go for it.

2 Likes
8

hey, hope this isnt too late!! i would say without a single shadow of a doubt the Columbia - Sciences Po Dual Degree Program!!

first off congrats on being admitted to both (PM if you commit to the dual degree id love to see you when i get there in September) :slight_smile: theres quite a few reasons why:

  1. getting both degrees is an immeasurable advantage compared to doing four years and only getting half as much. most importantly, especially in the IR field, having international experience is more necessary than ever and truly makes you stand out!

  2. I would make the argument that both Columbia and Sciences Po are respectively better than Georgetown (which is still a great uni dont get me wrong). Of course, Columbia ranks #3 in USNews whereas Georgetown is inching in between the top-20 and outside of it. More importantly, In both IR and Politics Sciences Po ranks #2 in the world (only behind harvard, tied with princeton and ahead of oxford and all the other ivies). Living in Paris right now i can tell you that just the name opens up an immeasurable amount of doors. I think you’d be right in saying that in the US specifically Georgetown has more of a brand name since obviously as the school there more people know it, but thats the beauty of the program: Sciences Po is more recognized than almost any other uni (except maybe Oxbridge) if you want to work in europe and Columbia is more prestigious than Gtown if you want to work in the US…so best of both

  3. the people in the dual program are extrodinary in a very very different way. of course, gtown students (or any other traditional student in any top20 school for that matter) are going to be brilliant. they’ll have great grades, good scores, an interest in poli-sci, and often times some experience in debate/mun etc. the people in the dual degree however all have insane stories and most importantly they come from ALL over the world. my roomate spoke at the UN. my friend is the national debate champion in her country and speaks 6 languages. we had trouble finding roomates: my friend codded a webbsite for it the next day. just in the small house that we’re getting with some friends for next year, theres 10 of us and 9 different time-zones (across 8 countries and 4 continents!). more than being brilliant they also have insanely unique story in a way that you couldnt find in any traditional program and i think thats invaluable.

  4. last thing ill say is that its both a really is that apart from getting a really small and tight-knit community w the ressources of research unis, the placement post-undergrad is also INSANE. In the past 10 years since the program’s started, this 100-people program out of Columbia’s 7500+ undergrad population (so less than 1.4% of the school) has had HALF of all the rhodes scholars and 20% of the validectorians/graduation speakers.

anywhooo if you have any question or commit and want to make a friend hmu :slight_smile: