Got off the waitlist at Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service!!
Before this great news, I was going to Dartmouth. I’m interested in international affairs and climate change so I’m going to pursue the IR, Science & Technology major at Georgetown.
A couple of my friends said that I should go to Dartmouth because it’s Ivy League and if I change my mind about my major, Dartmouth will be better.
Although Dartmouth is Ivy League, that alone doesn’t seem like a good reason to choose where I am for the next 4 years of my life (and the degree I’ll have for the rest of it). Also, it seems like Georgetown has become better than some Ivy League schools anyway (speaking not just about the School of Foreign Service). Being in DC is a huge plus too, and the Georgetown neighborhood is absolutely gorgeous.
I think I’m going to go with my gut and pick Georgetown.
You can’t compare 4 years in a lively college town right near DC in the some of the most exciting years for political affairs with endless internship and job opportunities and access to everything possible to 4 years in Hanover! Georgetown hands down if it was me.
Like many schools, Dartmouth has struggled with Covid issues and mental health struggles, arguably to a greater degree. It is quite isolated and the surrounding town of Hanover is tiny. Students can find opportunities in Boston, but it isn’t easily accessible.
Contrast that experience with Georgetown SFS, which is in possibly the most vibrant and opportunity-filled location for many pursuits, especially your interests.
If you said you were an outdoorsy type who loved to hike, etc., and loved Dartmouth because of its location and ethos, it might have given me pause. But it sounds to me like you chose it because it was the best school that accepted you. That’s ok, but you now have a better opportunity that excites you!
Go with your gut. I think you can get a fine experience both places. Gtown is not the only school in the world to create opportunities in the govt arena.
But you’ve expressed one reason to attend Dartmouth. Actually you didn’t. Your friends did.
Being ‘Ivy’ as a sole basis for attending a school is silly. And you, yourself, noted this.
If you were to consider an aspect in Dartmouth’s favor, it might relate to the presence of its Earth Sciences department, which, with respect to your interest in climate change, potentially would offer a better scientific foundation than Georgetown could provide.
Nevertheless, Georgetown may represent your better overall choice when considered by all of your criteria, especially since your enthusiasm seems to run mostly in its direction.