<p>hey guys, im looking to major in IR and maybe also economics and i know that Gtown and Tufts are the best in IR. however, i need to choose one!!! can anyone tell me what would be a better fit?</p>
<p>thanks a lot!</p>
<p>it depends on you to decide which college is the better fit. if you live closer to washington or boston that should help you decide. also, you need to see the places and talk to the students to know if the institution is right for you. just because a college is amazing in the field you want to study does not mean its right for you</p>
<p>oh ive already visited both schools and i loved them equally both and i didnt like some things equally too, so as far as personal choice id be extremely happy at either one.</p>
<p>im asking on more of an academic side and strength of the programs and subsequent grad school placement and employment. thanks for the answer!</p>
<p>These were my top two choices; I got accepted to both, and I'm going to Georgetown because after a certain point I just knew it was a better fit. </p>
<p>The School of Foreign Service at Georgetown is slightly different than a major in International Relations at Tufts. SFS is its own separate school with a defined core curriculum in international studies, which is different than the core curriculum in the College of Arts and Sciences. There are seven specialized majors within SFS, including ones that focus on economics. Tufts does not have that same structure with a separate core curriculum, but that could be an advantage if you want to be able to take more electives and focus mostly on the IR major itself. </p>
<p>From visiting, I would say that the student bodies are definitely different... I can't exactly define how, but hopefully it's something you get a feel for on a visit. Georgetown's Jesuit identity also contributes to a different atmosphere but religion there is not overwhelming and entirely what you choose to take from it. There are chaplains of different faiths on campus.</p>
<p>They are both in great cities and of similar sizes, so that's another thing. I would say that Georgetown's campus is more compact, but they are both beautiful.</p>
<p>At this point, I have learned much more about Georgetown because I'm actually going there. I'm trying not to be biased here however!</p>
<p>My best advice is to apply to both by all means, because they definitely are two of the best IR schools out there, especially for undergrad. In the meantime, try to familiarize yourself with other aspects of the schools so you can try to figure out which might be better for you. </p>
<p>Hope that was helpful and not <em>too</em> long!</p>
<p>Just read your second post. </p>
<p>I don't know a whole lot about employment and grad school placement, but my impression is that SFS is pretty prestigious in the IR "community." Of course, so is an IR degree from Tufts, most likely.</p>
<p>Georgetown is in DC, which is very convenient to all sorts of internships in the city, within government, the private sector, embassies, etc. Of course Boston also has internships and you could always go to DC during a summer. </p>
<p>Georgetown also has some amazing professors with experience in international fields, but then again, Tufts might too. I keep repeating myself, so I'll just wrap it up. Hopefully the explanation of SFS in my above post was helpful.</p>
<p>That was a good explanation :) </p>
<p>Tufts also has some amazing professors who specialize in IR/IS. And, as Kate said, you really can't go wrong, as they are two of the best. However, as was very rightly pointed out above, the manner in which the two schools present the concentration is different. Georgetown has a whole separate school devoted to IR, whereas Tufts has a graduate school (Fletcher) but not a separate undergraduate school for IR; IR students will take a full liberals arts curriculum. However, both schools are held high in the IR community and beyond. So, in short, it really comes down to whether you want a compact campus in DC or a hilly, slightly larger New England campus near Boston.</p>
<p>thanks for all the comments so far! kate, great info!
in terms, of economics which place is better though?</p>
<p>everyone knows georgetown SFS is way better than tufts.</p>
<p>Wow, there's an off-the-wall statement. "Everybody knows" lol. Do a little bit of research, talk to some people in the IR community, look at the stats., peruse the college guides. They are both considered the top of the feeding chain for IR; GU has more notoriety b/c a) it's been around longer, b)it's in DC, and c) It has a dedicated undergrad school, versus Tufts' somewhat complicated undergrad IR/Fletcher grad arrangement. I should also point out that two of the possible replacements for Kofi Annan (Secretary-General of the UN, if you didn't know) are Tufts graduates.</p>
<p>really? could you tell me their names if you know?</p>
<p>Thanks for the link :)</p>
<p>Gtown has a better location for IR.</p>
<p>I think i would do Georgetown SFS over Tufts.</p>
<p>Georgetown SFS and Tufts are my top two choices as well, however if I were accepted to both I would choose Georgetown over Tufts due to its location in DC. The internship possibilites in DC trump that of Boston. As an IR major it would definitely be advantageous to intern at an Embassy, of which there are plenty in DC!</p>
<p>Yes; however, as Kate said, One can always go to Boston, NYC, or DC for a summer internship.</p>
<p>What school is better for specializing in European-American relations? I'd definitely want to specialize in European and American issues while majoring in IR, looking for a job for the CIA, US Dept. of State, NATO, UN, Airline (ie Air France, United, British Air Ways, etc.), or an international sports organization like FIFA. Which school would provide the best opportunity to specialize in Western Relations with the rest of the world?</p>
<p>Oh and how are the student bodies different?</p>
<p>I can't answer about Tufts specializations because I've forgotten all the details, but one of the majors in SFS (one I might do) is Regional or Comparative Studies. You cannot to American for Regional, but you can include it in Comparative with something else, and Europe would work. I'm also pretty sure that SFS is a feeder to the CIA, Dept of State, and plenty of other organizations. It sounds like what you want, Georgetown has, but I might be shortchanging Tufts. </p>
<p>I'll have to think about whether I can answer the question about the student bodies... I'm not sure yet. </p>
<p>Btw if I didn't say before, my background is that I was accepted to both schools, Tufts was probably my second choice, and I will be a freshman at Georgetown/in the SFS this fall.</p>