<p>i am interested in studying International relations/affairs/studies and economics. I am looking to be in or near a big city on the east coast. I’m looking for strong academics, a good reputation, and a decent social scene. Financially my three options are pretty close.</p>
<li>Brandeis</li>
<li>GWU-Elliot School of International Affairs</li>
<li>UT Austin- Liberal Arts Honors Program</li>
</ol>
<p>I’m pretty much at a loss so if anyone has any advice or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :-)</p>
<p>it’s a hard one all 3 are good schools so you need to think about match.</p>
<p>is money important for you and family? if so, then you may want to go to UT. it’s a stronger public school option than a lot of students in other states enjoy.</p>
<p>is being an urban environment near DC important to you? if so, then you’ll probably want to go to GWU.</p>
<p>is being in a small, nurturing, intellectual community is important, then brandeis is probably your best bet.</p>
<p>it’s all about fit not perceived quality so visit the three schools, if possible, and ask lots of questions of current students and professors.</p>
<p>go to Brandeis and take courses with Bob Art–who is one of the most highly regarded IR professors anywhere. He’s also on the faculty at Harvard and MIT, but he spends most of his time at Brandeis.</p>
<p>jojo18, just FYI, one prominent figure in the IR world who studied at Brandeis under Bob Art is Robert Galluci, longtime Dean of the Georgetown School of Foreign Service and now the newly appointed head of the MacArthur Foundation.</p>