<p>So i was wondering, what are the advantages of Georgetown's School of Foreign Service when compared to GW's Elliott School of International Affairs?</p>
<p>I think that GWU’s Elliott School is fine, but as with virtually everything else, GU is simply superior to GWU. In fact, this is one of the few places in which, while GWU is ranked behind GU, it is at least not in a different stratosphere. On a general level, in terms of undergraduate education, the schools are simply not comparable: Georgetown is much better, more highly respected, and much harder to get into.</p>
<p>The previous poster has summed it up very well. On a more tangible level, having seriously considered attending the Elliott School and being an SFS student, I would just add that SFS students have terrific job opportunities not just in the foreign service community, but also in the private sector. The placements that some SFS students get in consulting, investment banking, etc. are among the most coveted positions available to recent college graduates. GW was not as forthcoming as Georgetown in providing information about students’ post-collegiate trajectories (which I took to be a sign in and of itself) but I didn’t get the sense that job prospects, particularly outside of the IR field, were quite as bright as for G’town students. </p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong. GW is a fantastic place. But first of all–and this is what one really needs to consider when choosing between the 2 schools–it’s a very different experience from Georgetown. Much more of an urban school a la NYU and less of a traditional campus experience. Second, and this is more important for some people than others, the Georgetown name has a bit more clout behind it than the GW name.</p>
<p>I visited both schools today and honestly the schools are very different. They both have completely different airs (if that makes sense) when you walk around the campus. At Georgetown it definitely feels more traditional, more competitive, and while they encourage internships it seems like that isnt the core of the school. While at George Washington its definitely a less traditional feel but its not bad at all. Georgetown has more prestige but GW isn’t a horrible school, it actually seems great. (Of course I think both of the schools are amazing for different reasons). It seems like their sales pitch is you can intern here and take advantage of all of these opportunities that GW and DC have to offer, instead of selling the rigorous academic pitch.</p>
<p>I visited both schools. Obviously G’Town is much more prestigious and has a well known name. Though, I did not like it as much as I liked GWU. G’Town was just too intimidating and the tour guides weren’t that good. I was completely bored and the students left on the campus, also looked bored. GWU, there is more of a city. You’re always around people, and it didn’t seem as intimidating. Before visiting the schools I would have said, G’Town is much better than GWU. But now, I think it’s the other way around. Although you get a better education experience in G’Town, in GWU you get more of an internship and career-like environment. It just seemed more professional. Also the classes are very old and the buildings look as if they are going to fall at G’Town, which I did not like about G’Town.</p>
<p>I have to agree with r0kAng3l. I applied and got accepted into both schools, but I chose GWU over GT. For some reason I think i’d do better in GWU. GT is too traditional and besides, I think that GT doesnt really have a biology department to boast about. It therefore makes no difference which school I choose to go to. GT only has prestige when it comes to its art department.</p>
<p>only prestige from the art department?? ***. i dont think you know what youre talking about to be honest.</p>
<p>I also found the campus very boring. It might have just been the time I went there, and it was super hot… Out of American, GWU, and G’Town. I preferred GWU and then American (by a little). The only thing I did not like about American is that it didn’t have a metro close by, but G’Town didn’t either. I like how it’s very easy to get to certain sections of DC if you go to GWU. Yet the thing I didn’t like about GWU is the price.</p>
<p>gemma2345- there’s no substitute for a visit to a school. If you liked GWU better, then that’s definitely the right choice for you. And you will almost certainly “do better” at GWU in terms of GPA, because most of the “competition,” if you will, is not on the same plane. However, the “GT only has prestige when it comes to its art department” comment, unless you are pulling our legs (which I suspect you are, it just doesn’t translate well on the board), could only be considered shockingly ignorant.</p>
<p>rOKAng31 -It also sounds like GWU is the right school for you.</p>
<p>Good luck to both of you.</p>
<p>Perhaps r0kAng3l is just feeling some rejection bitterness? For one thing, Georgetown has transportation services to take you to the Metro if you’re too lazy to just walk. Second, when it comes to SFS vs. Elliot, there is simply no comparison. The only thing Elliot has going for them is that they’re in Washington D.C., which is no advantage over Georgetown.</p>
<p>I’m not sure about the difference between the hard sciences of both schools, but I do think Georgetown is a little lacking on that point (especially without any engineering).</p>
<p>Rejection bitterness? I haven’t applied to any schools yet. I’m an upcoming senior in High School</p>
<p>I visited both schools but it was during a vacation so i didn’t see any students.
So what do you guys think about the student body of the two schools?</p>
<p>I think G’Town is more school spirit, while GWU is more “professional”. Since GWU is an urban campus, it has more civilians walking around. Also there is no football time for GWU. G’Town seemed to have more students who cared about the school I guess you could say. Plus I think there are more sports at G’Town. So it all depends on if you’re all school spirit or more about the academics and that’s it. Honestly that is all I know about the student body.</p>
<p>I don’t think you can really speak about the student body unless you’ve been to both schools often. GW does tend to have a lot of professional students because it’s really untraditional and more career-oriented. Since it’s more of an urban campus, there are more opportunities within the city. Both are academically prestigious. Gtown is more “school spirit” since the traditional campus keeps everyone within the school area. A lot of the students at Gtown are nice (I’m an incoming Freshman but spent a lot of time on campus previous to this) and are labeled as more “preppy.” But to say that Gtown is not academically rigorous or their only good department is the art department - that’s just trying to be catty and rude. Georgetown is an amazing school, especially in regards to language, IR, etc. Yes, the science department is lacking. But other than that, it’s an excellent school, though a bit secluded from the rest of D.C., especially with all the restaurants/bars, etc on M Street. I have friends at GW and it’s great but I honestly don’t know much about the GW student body… you’d probably have to visit. GW’s great but so is Georgetown; it’s unfair to play down the rigor of one to make the other look better.</p>
<p>I thought the students at GWU were much more outgoing, friendly, and FUNNY. I admire gemma for choosing GWU, over GU, however I suspect that MONEY may have played into her decision somewhat. GWU seems to mark up their tuition and then offer generous merit-based money. At least they did a couple of years ago, when my daughter was in the same boat as gemma. If I’m mistaken, I’ll just apologize now… (SHOULD I be sorry?)</p>
<p>That’s interesting that you would say Georgetown was less “professional” because I’ve actually read that students were more concerned about career preparation than the life of the mind according to the school’s professors (from Princeton Review, 368 Best Colleges).</p>
<p>Fit is so important and each person is attracted to different things in a school so naturally people are going to like one school’s feel over another. However it is difficult to argue that there aren’t certain areas where the SFS does things better than Elliot. I admit being a Georgetown student in the SFS heavily distracts from an creditability I may have as unbiased source, but hey who is? </p>
<ol>
<li><p>The SFS Faculty
The caliber of professors at Georgetown is phenomenal. Every semester I am amazed at the people who make themselves fully available to undergrads. I have had the opportunity to work as a (paid) research assistant as an underclassman, and have been walked through my own work through (stipend) department fellowships. The experience of learning from and working with people who have directed the course of world events cannot be replaced. I could go on forever about my professors and mentorship experience . This is not to say that Elliot’s faculty is lacking but in a head to head… I think Georgetown wins not only in big political names but renowned leaders of academic fields. </p></li>
<li><p>Curriculum
The SFS core is unique and rigorous. It unites the class and provides a solid foundation in liberal arts as well as giving you the tools to be successful in a in depth study of all things (or whatever thing) international. In all it is 17 rather specific classes (with a few variations depending on interest, regional especially). Elliot’s general education requirements more closely resemble a more traditional program. I understand this one could go either way on the pro/con list (naysayers to structure?) but from someone who has been through it even the four econ classes were worth it. I can go into a more detailed description if someone wants it but I don’t want to bore you. </p></li>
<li><p>Majors
Generic International Relations with a concentration at GW VERSUS so many options at Georgetown. This is what drew me first to Georgetown so excuse my nerd out. In the SFS there are six majors. International Politics (subfields Security Studies, Foreign Policy, International Law ) Culture & Politics (make your own concentration, I’m political theology) International History (regional concentration), Regional and Comparative studies (regional concentration), International Economics (I’m not sure what these kids do, clearly econ isn’t my thing), Science, Technology, International Affairs.
Then there are certificates you add to your major, International Development, Political and Social Thought, international business diplomacy, regional, all kinds of really interesting programs. Again I could go on. The variety and depth of the program is one of its greatest strengths</p></li>
</ol>
<p>4) Name/networking
It helps. </p>
<p>As to the claim GW is more internship friendly, I can’t fully address it as I’m not a GW student but the schools are very close together. A nice brisk walk. In DC, getting an internship is about the student not the school. If you want one they are there. </p>
<p>Student body
I think generalizing student populations in buzzwords doesn’t really help. I can tell you I love a lot of people and I’m not too found of others. For such an academically strong school, we do a good job thinking we can hold our own as a party school (our neighbors think so too). During basketball season we sometimes succeed. There is a ton of school spirit and pride in Georgetown’s athletic and academic tradition Most students live on campus or right by it and the community feeling is strong. Students are usually characterized as exceptionally driven, sometimes to a fault. However, it remains cooperative and not competitive. There is a large international population and from comes a great love of our culture shows (Rangilia!). There is a large population of New Yorkers/New Jerseyians. There is visible wealth but also a lot of students who don’t have money. I’m not sure how is compares to GW. If you get in visit for accepted students weekend if you can (talk to admissions if it isn’t economically feasible, they can work those things out) it will help a lot more than my ramblings. </p>
<p>I hope that helps. This is my first post as an undergrad. I used CC a while ago when I was looking at schools. I thought I finally return the favor.</p>
<p>WCASparent: I just realized that what I wrote didnt make much sense. I was only trying to say that I believe that GWU has a better core science department( biology, chemistry, physics and math department) compared to GT.</p>
<p>jshain: You are definitely mistaken. Money played no part in my decision to attend GWU. You do not need to apologise. I understand your point clearly. I also want to point out that I am an international student and GW does not give as much merit based scholarship to international students as they do to regular students. :)</p>
<p>flight: What me (and some of us) meant was that you’d more likely see people look --more-- professional when walking to class. Especially since it’s an urban campus. When I went there all the students were in short shorts and spaghetti straps, which isn’t a bad thing at all. I’m just saying that the students --look-- professional at GWU. Doesn’t mean that G’Town does not care about their career or anything.</p>
<p>Ah, I see. Also, I’m guessing that the <i>girls</i> were in short shorts haha. How’d the guys dress?</p>