GWU or Lehigh for International Relations

Colleges & Universities A-Z George Washington University
1

<p>For my son, it will come down to George Washington U or Lehigh U. He wants to study International Relations.</p>

<p>By all indication, GWU is quite well known for the IR program. If it is just between the two, he might choose GWU. However, there may be about $50K difference between the two.</p>

<p>He has a good shot at getting Army ROTC scholarship that pays full tuition, fee, and stipend for four years. GWU does not give free room and board for the ROTC scholarship winners. Lehigh may (case by case, but S can make a very good case). So, if my son wins scholarship, Lehigh can very well become a full ride school.</p>

<p>He has stats for both GWU and Lehigh. His scores put him in top 15% or better of the enrolled class of 2014 in both schools. His GPA is at a bit lower level, but both schools consider ROTC scholarship a major hook, so with the scholarship and high SAT, he has a very good shot at both schools. </p>

<p>We visited the GWU several times. We also visited Lehigh. They made a big ado about Lehigh being only one of the 13 universities with an NGO status with UN and direct involvement, etc, etc. </p>

<p>So, would you recommend GWU IR over Lehigh even if it comes with additional $50K price tag for four years? </p>

<p>He may apply to ED to either school as soon as the scholarship decision comes out, if he gets the scholarship, that is.</p>

<p>(by the way, not that USNWR is everything - but still.... Lehigh is current ranked better than GWU, though I do believe GWU is on a major upswing)</p>

<p>Any feedback/input will be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>By all means, your kid should go to Lehigh. Bethlehem, PA= hotbed of great opportunities for internships and experience in IR. And USNWR- well, that says it all. So don’t give it another thought.</p>

<p>Seriously- why would you ask that question on the GW thread?</p>

3

<p>I can’t help with Lehigh, it was not on our radar for IR. (I was an engineering major, and I thing of that type of field when I hear Lehigh.) Lehigh may be ranked higher overall, but GW has great IR. My D is a junior, and the opportunities she has had there have been fantastic. Interning at Commerce Dept last spring, next semester interning at State. That’s not to say that your S couldn’t do a semester in Washington, or intern in the summer, and he could study abroad no matter where he goes (if it fits in with the ROTC schedule). If finances make Lehigh the more attractive offer, I’m sure he’ll do well there.</p>

<p>How much is the stipend, and would it cover his room & board? Many kids live off campus Jr & Sr years, which is cheaper than the dorms.</p>

4

<p>ROTC is definitely not a hook at GW. Honestly it doesn’t even matter. He’ll be in the Army for four-five years minimum post graduation. His experience in the military would make up for the negligible difference between IR programs (GW is better in this option btw, screw NGO status, GW is in DC). Internship opportunities and UN ties don’t matter at all because his free time would be tied up with ROTC obligations and his summers would be booked with training. If he wasn’t going for ROTC, GW still would give better political opportunities. Leigh is trying to market themselves like that, because they know they can’t compete with a number 2 DC school. Just look at the above poster. Internships at the commerce department and the state department…only DC schools can offer that.</p>

<p>Also don’t start making a decision before he is awarded a scholarship and an acceptance. Army is cutting back in force and it has already effected last years numbers.</p>

<p>Long story short…pick leigh bc you’ll save the 50k. but not bc it has better education/opportunities. Good luck!</p>

<p>oh and I must add…</p>

<p>Go Navy! Beat Army!</p>

5

<p>

</p>

<p>no need to be so sarcastic. Of course, GWU IR is a very well known program. However, it’s not an apples to apples comparison. I was asking whether it’s worth additional $50K for a student who will not enter the civilian job market right after college.</p>

<p>Adams, thanks for your feedback. You gave me a food for thought. By the way, ROTC scholarship in hand IS a major hook (told by several people involved in decision making process both at the admissions office and the ROTC battalion)</p>

6

<p>Agree with adam302</p>

<p>Just make sure you and your son understand the military committment of ROTC and “where” he will likely be deployed given the current world situations. This could be a good thing (IR experience), or bad if in harms way.</p>

<p>Being military for many years myself, the “needs” of the military come first and he may not have a lot of say so where he goes and for how long.</p>

<p>CJ</p>

7

<p>CJ madison,</p>

<p>I have read your posts on this forum. You always give very balanced and wise advise. I think a lot of us really benefit from that. Thank you.</p>

<p>As for my son’s desire for the career in military, this has been in the works for as long as I can possibly remember, ever since he was a toddler. I waited 15 years for him to grow out of it, but now I take it dead seriously. As much as this is not the career path I would have most welcomed for my kid (it’s a dangerous occupation, you know), given that he considers it his calling, I am doing everything I can to help him achieve his goal and live his dream. And that includes advising him on his college selection where he will be doing his ROTC training.</p>

8

<p>Lizmane, I see from your other posts that your kid has a low GPA for both schools. What makes you think he’s going to be admitted?</p>

<p>Also, I see that you had to apologize for insulting people over on the AU thread. Maybe you should try to be a little more circumspect in your postings.</p>

9

<p>schmohawk,</p>

<p>are you stalking people, and doing archeological research on other people posts? My son’s GPA was MISCALCULATED by the school program. It has been fixed then. Yes, his GPA is probably below the schools 50% range, but his SAT puts him at top 10% of their incoming freshmen class. Plus, ROTC scholarship is a major hook for both schools’ admission decision. Put together, this make my son a very compelling candidate, if he gets the scholarship (we don’t know that for sure yet, we are collecting all information in advance so that when the time comes, we can make a quick decision).</p>

<p>Regarding AU thread, I apologized, out of civility, because people decided to take what I said as an insult, which I don’t think it was. I pointed out that in the detailed AU admission data, the acceptance rate of the candidates from “unusual states” is approching 80-100% while the overall acceptance rate was something like 40%. So, I concluded that they must be using geographical diversity as a major consideration, and in all likelihood the admission standards for things like SAT for candidates from these places were lower, just like the URM, athlete, legacy etc are getting major boost for their admission odds.</p>

<p>Some people (from these places) decided that they were mightily insulted and took my statement as a personal affront. I said “sorry” out of civility. But, I don’t think sharing some prominent admission statistics is such an awful thing. If anything, this would allow candidates from these places to have a more informed college application strategy.</p>

<p>Let’s get back to the regular programming. If you have more genuine feedback on the question I raised, I am all ears, in spite of your delivery style.</p>

10

<p>People? No. You? Yes.</p>

<p>And people take your statements as personal affronts because your remarks tend to be obnoxious. You demeaned AU on the AU thread, and GWU here.</p>

<p>Here’s my genuine feedback for your son: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.</p>

11

<p>I don’t know what your financial situation is, but would GW really be an additional $50,000? I know I’ve posted it here before, but the need-based aid at GW was surprisingly generous, and I don’t think anyone should be discouraged by the COA until they have all the figures on the table.</p>

<p>Older son wanted to focus on college first and save DC for life after graduation. He loves his school, and for him it was the right decision. He’s also an IR major, and in army ROTC. Younger S is a freshman at GW/Elliott. As much as I love S1’s school, the opportunities for IR majors at GW seem hard to beat. Both their Dad and I are Lehigh alums, but it wasn’t on the radar for either of them. Nothing against Lehigh - I think it’s a great school, but we much prefer the diversity, location and overall vibe at the schools they attend.</p>

12

<p>Perhaps he should revisit the schools he likes, and just be prepared to weigh his preferences and finances. When the time comes he may find himself happily attending someplace that wasn’t even on his original list.</p>

13

<p>lspf, I PMed you.</p>

<p>(by the way, $50K was the value of free room and board for four years in another school).</p>

14

<p>-With regard to geographical diversity, etc. I hope you understand Army ROTC does that as well. I would not argue that this lowers the quality of officer. </p>

<p>-Just to clear up any confusion, room and board at GW is 40k for 4 years (10k a year). Which quite frankly, while expensive, is cheap as hell for foggy bottom/gtown area. Depending on your financial situation, it is possible that that number would be greatly reduced. In which case you should probably look at lehigh vs. gw without taking into account finances. But again, I wouldn’t consider anything until you have a scholarship offer + acceptance in hand from lehigh and gw.</p>

15

<p>Adam0302: Sorry to disagree, but room & board is not 40K. Both last year & this year we are paying $13K for room & board for DS.</p>

16

<p>For International Affairs, the ESIA is far, far superior (in ranking, prestige, connections) than LeHigh. I’ve never really considered LeHigh a strong player in IR/IAFF.</p>

<p>DC vs… Pennsylvania. DC wins, obviously. But, he can always work in DC after graduation. </p>

<p>But, if the difference is a huge $50,000, by all means, go to LeHigh. </p>

<p>A BA isn’t worth a $50,000 difference, and he may very well change his mind about career options during college. Even if he doesn’t, a BA isn’t worth $50,000 more. That’s a huge chunk of cash that can quite possibly be spent elsewhere (investments, retirement planning, house downpayment, study abroad, etc.) I didn’t get one dime in financial aide from GW, and I wouldn’t attend any school “expecting” to get more aide once you’re there.</p>