Hey guys, I have been fortunate enough to have been accepted into these four schools and am having an impossible time choosing. ANY insight would be appreciated from ANYONE.
First a little bit about me…
-I plan on majoring in International Relations/Poly Sci/Economics
-I would love to continue studying French in college
-Being able to conduct research as an undergrad is really important to me
-I really value small classes and close relationships with the professors
-As of now (which I know can change) I plan on going to grad school
Now just my thoughts on each school…
GW HONORS
-Have not visited yet
-Received a very generous package which seems silly to pass up
-Amazing location
-Very highly ranked in International Relations
-Great internship opportunities
-I am assuming good social scene because of its size and location
TUFTS
-Initially my first choice but after being deferred ED 1, I am not as in love with it
-Amazing IR program
-Great study abroad programs and EPIIC which is something I might want to participate in
-I love the location on the outskirts of Boston
-Completely mixed on social scene… when I applied I heard it was super welcoming and friendly. However, after doing more research I have heard frat life dominates the scene and it is super cliquey. NOT a fan of that
-Would have to pay full
Hamilton
-Great size in terms of classes and professor relationships
-Probably ample research opportunities considering it is all undergrad
-Seems a bit isolated… not a fan of
-When I visited was very impressed by the students. They all seemed smart but not pretentious which is something I value.
Boston College
-Great location and gorgeous campus
-I believe good economics program
-Students seem very friendly and like a big family
Based on some of your key criteria, the undergraduate-focused Hamilton would seem to be your top choice. And, if you have gotten this far, then you already know about Hamilton’s flexible curriculum, on-campus public affairs center and off-campus D.C. term, as well as of their strength in economics:
However, other key attributes of Hamilton, notably its setting offset from the Eastern megalopolis and proximity to a charming, but small, village, seem not to have resonated with you. Actually, since your other choices are not particularly “Hamilton-like,” and therefore collectively might reflect your preferred general direction, this could be an indication that you may be inclined towards one of those three.
A visit to GW, as well as ideally, perhaps essentially, further visits to your other choices, should help you clarify your impressions.
full disclosure: I am a Hamilton Parent and a HS coach… some kids I know have found GW to be more of a commuter school than it seems at first glance. Some, though, esp outgoing and/or politically minded (the location is great) kids find their place there and are perfectly content. Some visits seem like a good idea, since you have a pretty wide range of opportunities (congrats)!
Based on your most important factors and your preference for city living/research/class size, I would recommend GW for you. It’s definitely not an “undergrads only” school but the classes aren’t too large except for a couple of first-year required courses. Programs in IA/Econ/foreign language are all top-notch, and students get a crapload of internship opportunities (I believe that average number of internships for a 4-year student is something like 3). GW’s closeness with major IA/IR employers like the State Department, World Bank, IMF, etc (both physically and metaphorically) is something that students really value. And on top of that, you got a generous aid package with honors. The honors program isn’t a huge deal on campus, the main perk is that you get certain smaller classes like Econ, which you would probably enjoy. All in all, if international affairs/econ is something that you are really passionate about and you want to be in an urban area, I think GW is your best bet.