<p>My father seems to think that George Washington's Elliot School for International Affair's brand name is far and away better than American University's SIS program. I know that the Elliot school is a bit better, but when looking for a job will connections really be that much better with a GW diploma?</p>
<p>No, they are both ranked and perceived quite similarly in the field. Overall, GWU is a larger and more well rounded university than AU, but there is not going to be much difference between a degree from the Elliot School or SIS.</p>
<p>Thanks Bonanza. What about an international relations/public affairs?</p>
<p>I’m not sure what you are asking. International Relations is a subfield of political science, and you don’t major in it as an undergraduate. But it is confusing because many people use the term “international relations” to refer to international studies. This is what you would study at the Elliot School or SIS. It is also referred to as international affairs, foreign affairs, international service, foreign service, international and global studies, etc. They are all basically the same.</p>
<p>Public Affairs is also a vague, confusing term. For example, at AU, the political science department is not in the school of arts and sciences (where it is in most universities) but is in the School of Public Affairs, where it is co-exists with programs about government. As with international studies, I think that GW and AU are viewed similarly with respect to these programs. </p>
<p>The areas where GW clearly outshines AU are in other areas, such as the sciences. GW is not a particularly strong science school–but it is reasonable in the biological sciences and it does have an engineering program. AU is pretty weak in the sciences. GW is generally stronger than AU in the humanities as well. GW is stronger in education. AU is a little stronger than GW in business.</p>
<p>I’m from FL and GWU is regarded higher down here than AU. I’d go to GWU if finances are equal. Plus, it has an amazing location in DC. They also have sooo mannyy internships available. I was also accepted to elliot and strongly considered it.</p>
<p>You’d probably be pretty well off at AU or GWU. I read somewhere that there are only like 11 actual schools of International Service (or similar schools). At most schools, these majors are in the college of arts and sciences. That, in and of itself, is noteworthy.</p>