Georgetown (SFS) vs. UPenn (CAS)

<p>I've been accepted to both Georgetown (School of Foreign Service) and to UPenn (College of Arts and Sciences). I'd be pursuing International Relations.
I'm hoping to study abroad for a semester, so I don't know how possible that will be at whichever institution I decide to go to. But I'm not focusing on studying abroad (again, I'd love to though).
Overall, which school do you recommend (academics, housing, social life, etc)?</p>

<p>It depends.</p>

<p>Is cost a significant factor? If so, which school would cost you less after aid (if any)? </p>

<p>How committed are you to majoring in IR? Many students change majors, although this may not be so true of Georgetown SFS students. Penn is a much stronger research university overall. If you decide you want to major in, say, anthropology … then Penn will have much greater depth and breadth of faculty & course offerings in that field than Georgetown.</p>

<p>Even if you are 100% committed to IR, what kind of specialist do you want to be? Do you want to be a specialist at all? I would think that in the future, international relations will be increasingly focused on issues of a scientific and technical nature (global warming, proliferation, information technology, intellectual property, water resources, food safety standards, etc.) Are you interested in issues like that? If so, which university do you think would best develop your understanding?</p>

<p>Have you visited both schools and explored the surrounding urban environments? Georgetown’s location is very attractive, both for entertainment/social life and for internship opportunities.</p>

<p>As for study abroad programs, virtually all major universities have them. Among students at the Ivies and selective LACs, one popular program is the World Learning / International Honors Program ([Location:</a> IHP/Comparative - - SIT Study Abroad Programs](<a href=“http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/location-comparative.cfm?__utma=1.75881584.1337418073.1337418073.1337418073.1&__utmb=1.4.10.1337418073&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1337418073.1.1.utmcsr=google”>http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/location-comparative.cfm?__utma=1.75881584.1337418073.1337418073.1337418073.1&__utmb=1.4.10.1337418073&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1337418073.1.1.utmcsr=google)). Some schools accomodate work under this program, but others don’t. If it looks interesting to you, you might want to investigate Penn’s and Georgetown’s participation in this or other specific study abroad programs. </p>

<p>There is no right answer. It all depends on you and what you’re really looking for. I’m surprised that you’re still deciding at this late date, though.</p>

<p>Thank you!
I will definitely take everything you said into consideration as I compare/contrast both schools! </p>

<p>Oh it’s because I’ve been accepted as a transfer applicant.
Again, thank you!</p>