<p>Hi, I was recently admitted to the college and, if I attend, would major in Sociology with a concentration in Social Justice Analysis. I am particularly interested in education reform and hope to participate in Teach for America or a similar teaching fellowship after undergrad, and then pursue grad school in either public policy or sociology. I'm having a really tough time deciding because I absolutely love everything about D.C., see myself being heavily involved in both on campus activities (GU Solidarity, Amnesty) as well as off campus (such as Washington Area Kickball Association and policy internships) However, Swarthmore has a really reputable honors program, and I could combine sociology AND education in one major. Swat pretty much pays for anything students want to do ever (subsidized music lessons, travel to philly for academic/extracurricular events, summer research grants, etc.) </p>
<p>I am extremely excited to attend either school, but I basically am at a crossroads and don't know which environment would be best for TFA and grad school. Thanks for your advice!</p>
<p>Hey..
I had to make the same decision this year, actually. In the end, my decision came down to Swat and GU, even though I had never visited Swat. My reasons for choosing Georgetown probably aren't relatable to you (longer history loving the school... and the SFS offering more in its field than Swat). However, I can tell you that at GAAP, the dean of the SFS came to speak to us, and he was a former professor at Swat. He compared Swat and Gtown for us, and why he though Gtown's SFS was better (it was highly ironic for me). But he said that the College at Gtown is just as good as Swat's liberal arts program (he actually stressed that it wasn't the best.. just equal).</p>
<p>So, my advice would be to go based on fit. Especially since they're pretty much total opposites.</p>
<p>What completely different schools!
You will thrive at either one, but it seems to me that if you want an urban experience, clearly Georgetown is a better bet.<br>
Swarthmore is a beautiful and peaceful campus far from the bustle of the city. Still, many Swarthmore students seem to be more driven and serious about academics than some of their counterparts at G'town.</p>
<p>I don't know much about Swarthmore, but Georgetown kids are very much driven... I don't know what you mean by serious about academics, but Georgetown is very pre-professional and the students are very serious about their careers... maybe we lack a bit in the pure "academics for academics sake" sense...</p>
<p>Thanks! All of your feedback has all been extremely helpful. Is there anyone who can speak to the way students make themselves stand out at Georgetown? I just feel like there isn't that much room to be innovative, especially for those majoring in the social sciences. I'm politically active, and education reform is my main issue. As a sociology major, being in an urban city would be very helpful to study education, get involved in DC public schools, etc. But I just think that there are going to be SO many GU students with very similar interests and goals, and I dunno...do you think there are enough financial resources at GU to go around (for students wanting to start service projects, etc.)? And do you think grad schools might be seeing similar resumes over and over again as they compete for the same programs (if that makes sense)?</p>
<p>Sorry to focus so much on grad school because I REALLY do enjoy living in the present moment. But, you know, it's something to consider. I love them both, but Swat and GU are definitely, definitely different environments.</p>
<p>Georgetown was this really interesting program called the Center</a> for Social Justice. It is where all of there social activism realted organizations stem from. Not only is it a place where clubs get funding, but it is a research center for social reform and service. You can even minor (or get a certifact if your in SFS) in Social Justice through what they call service learning. I went to their open house when I was at GAAP. I think it's a really different way to approach and encourage service and actvism inspried by the Jesuit tradition. They also said they readily support incoming projects. One of the girls on the panel was freshman with her own group. But I think one of the withstanding programs deals with the DC public school system,so funding shouldn't be a issue.
I'm 2012 so I sorry I can't really help with the grad school stuff, but I think both Swathmore and Georgetown are great institutions who will help you tremendously applying to grad school, but Georgetown has DC which is filled with internships. It's a tough choice Good Luck!</p>