<p>Would it be foolish to do this? I was accepted EA for Georgetown's SFS concentrating in International Politics but I'll also be applying to Harvard. I am now wondering if Gtown actually gives you the edge in IR (internships, location, etc.) over Harvard's big name. I've seen that some undergrad rankings in IR place Harvard #1, while others choose Gtown.</p>
<p>I'd appreciate any insight, thanks!</p>
<p>You can't go wrong at either school. You should go where you'll have more fun over those 4 years.</p>
<p>Both are great schools, where if you work hard and choose your courses carefully you'll get a superb education. That said, the breadth and depth of Harvard's curricular and extracurricular offerings are superior to Georgetown's.</p>
<p>Okay, I'm very biased, because I can't get enough of Georgetown, but I'm going to keep this as logical and unbiased as possible. </p>
<p>I think something huge to consider is the location of Georgetown and everything that entails. Being in DC means amazing internships, lots of traffic from major international leaders (the amount of times I've been late to class because my route was blocked by some president's security because he was speaking on campus...), amazing faculty with real-life and CURRENT experience (SO many of them also work in the White House or in embassies), an amazing program in studying abroad, and in terms of the SFS curriculum and programs, the Deans have got everything at the best and most advantageous in terms of core curriculum and how you design your major. </p>
<p>In terms of where you'll have more fun, no offense to Harvard, but there's just no way they have as much fun there.</p>
<p>I'm actually considering the same thing- right now I'm not leaning either way. On one hand, you have Harvard's name and prestige, which is great for getting into politics. On the other hand, Georgetown is in DC, which is great for learning about politics. I spent 3 weeks at Georgetown for a summer program this year, but I've spent lots of time in Cambridge/Harvard yard because of family connections. Both are absolutely amazing, and I think either way you can't go wrong. It's a really tough choice, although if it comes down to choosing between Georgetown and Harvard I don't think any of us should really complain.</p>
<p>I think Harvard focuses more on the academic aspects of international relations, versus the practical aspects of IR at Georgetown. (I haven't done a count, but I think our ratio of practitioners to academics is greater than Harvard's...)</p>
<p>I've heard several of Harvard's IR professors speak on a number of topics, and they're all brilliant. But then again, you can't go wrong at Georgetown, either.</p>
<p>if i were u id wait to see if u get into harvard or not before u make a decision</p>
<p>Now THAT is a tough choice!</p>
<p>In a peer-rated survey of over 1,000 international relations professors, Harvard scores significantly higher (about 2x, in fact) than Georgetown in regards to quality of the undergraduate IR program. (<a href="http://www.wm.edu/irtheoryandpractice/trip/surveyreport06-07.pdf%5B/url%5D">www.wm.edu/irtheoryandpractice/trip/surveyreport06-07.pdf</a>) Also, the connections you'll make at Harvard will be superb.</p>
<p>On the other hand, your Georgetown connections will probably be equally superb; more importantly, you will be closer to the actual political scene. Also keep in mind that Georgetown's graduate program is considered the best in the country, so if you plan to continue your studies there right away you'll certainly have an edge if you do well in Georgetown undergraduate.</p>
<p>Again, a very tough choice. I would probably choose Harvard because of the overall quality and course offerings (and because Georgetown is, if possible, even more conservative and frightening than Harvard), spending my summers in D.C. But that's just me!</p>
<p>~Ethan</p>
<p>I go to Georgetown. I am a proud Hoya. But Ethan makes some of the same points I wanted to. Georgetown is a great place and our academics is one of the best. But at the time, Harvard name is bigger than Georgetown's (we're working on it). A good student will do well at both places and get great internships/meet important people because that student is a go-getter and a hardworker.</p>
<p>As a freshman, so far I've met atleast 3 other freshman (all SFS) and 1 Grad student who rejected Harvard alone (many more that rejected columbia/princeton/etc) for Georgetown. I'm sure there are many more vice-versa. This doesn't mean you should pick either school, but I'm just saying you won't be the first to reject a higher ranked school to become a Hoya.</p>
<p>I'd go with Harvard (if only because it's more recognized, which sounds bad), but Gtown does have a great location. Wait till you get into Harvard first, lol. Either way... </p>
<p>
I did the same; which program were you part of?</p>
<p>IR is one of the most prestige-caring areas, at least according to some friends who went through the job process. This is especially true at major organizations or international jobs. Georgetown competes heavily at the masters level, but for undergraduate, I have to say that HYP would probably be better. Stanford, which is where I would go, is tied, with Georgetown probably taking a lead (I went for IR and CompSci). Beyond matters of fit, I highly doubt as a Harvard or Princeton student you are going to lack connections in Washington, D.C. for interns or careers. Not to mention all the other students you will meet as well.</p>
<p>Of course, the location is one thing, but how often will you make it off-campus? That was one thing that I was surprised to hear on my tour was that Georgetown students don't often get to "downtown" Washington D.C., due to the Metro stop issue and simply time. So how much benefit you take is going to really depend on how you will live as a student.</p>
<p>Depends on the financial aid package :D.</p>
<p>Harvard....still the most presitigous university in the world.... Unless G-Town has a unique program, I would go with Harvard</p>
<p>Actually, Gtown DOES have a unique program. I don't know what you will personally choose but I didn't apply to HYP because I felt like Gtown was the best for what I wanted to do. I know Harvard has the name recognition but being in DC plus having such a focused program really appealed to me. You don't just major in general int'l. studies, you go to the whole school of foreign service and pick from really specific majors, like int'l. political economy. You really don't get that anywhere else. But if you want the prestige, go for Harvard.</p>
<p>I don't think either decision would be foolish as long as you feel like it's the right choice for you.</p>
<p>Hey, get into Harvard first! :)</p>
<p>Statistically, there is a 91% chance that you will not have to make this decision. </p>
<p>By the way, a looonng while back, someone posted a chart from the New York Times that showed the top universities and the percentage of students that picked one over the other...and now I can't seem to find it. If anyone stumbles over it...</p>
<p>I think its more like a 50%+ chance if Georgetown already said yes; the relevant range is the difference between the 18% at Georgetown and the 9%at Harvard.</p>
<p>(If you reference the discussion section of the wikipedia entry on SFS it indicates that the quantitative measures of SFS acceptees are very close to those of Harvard, so the enhanced difficulty of getting into Harvard is a function of its higher yield rate. It is not a function of the capabilities of the student.)</p>
<p>ohh gosh pleeease do not make this decision based on "prestige" or some arbitrary rankings! If you end up being accepted to Harvard, go stay a night or two at each school. You'll get an idea of how you "fit" on campus after hanging out with students, participating in club meetings and attending classes.</p>
<p>Harvard and Georgetown, esp. in IR, are academically very comparable. Take it from someone in one of the so-called "top schools," prestige is overrated. And besides, it's not as if Gtown is some no-name podunk school...it's recognized by the people who "matter" (like future employers) for its great academics. You can't go wrong when it comes to the purely educational aspect of it...just visit and see which one you like better!</p>
<p>If you want to have more academic experience,then go to harvard!
If you want to have more diplomacy experience,go to gtown for sure!</p>