<p>I have been admitted into GW and USC for international relations. GW has given me a $10,000 annual scholarship but I'm confused as to which university will offer me more. USC appears to be more prestigious and higher ranked. However GW promises better internship opportunities. Any ideas on what I should do?</p>
<p>international relations? of course gwu!!!</p>
<p>Thanks! Bump anyone else?</p>
<p>if by usc you mean southern cal, then i have the exact same problem</p>
<p>The advantages of studying IR in DC are not limited to the vast access to internships you’ll have if you pick GWU (thought that’s a REALLY important factor IMO). Many of the profs at GWU are former practitioners, professionals with real experience in diplomacy, national security, the media, etc. If I were you I’d pick GWU over USC. Don’t pay too much attention to “national rankings”. If you dig deeper into what they’re based on you’ll find most of the factors they consider have little to do with the education you’ll receive. Good luck!</p>
<p>I’d recommend GWU as well. In case you didn’t know, GWU is part of The Consortium of Universities of the Greater Washington DC area; you can take courses from GU, American, GMU and National Defense University (among others).</p>
<p>Hey. Please choose GW. Elliott is truly an amazing school with endless resources and opportunities for IR students. It will be easier for you network and particpate in awesome IR internships. USC is a great school for Film and Business, but it can’t beat GW in IR.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the advice everyone! I really appreciate it. Still haven’t decided though!</p>
<p>USC.</p>
<p>Simply because California would be a fun place to attend college. And, the weather in DC sucks. And, people in DC aren’t tanned beach-goers.</p>
<p>Seriously, though, DC is better for internships, events, and international affairs related activities. And, yes, the ESIA is good. </p>
<p>GWU is, well, unranked, right now… but usually is ranked in the top 50something colleges. </p>
<p>USC is ranked #23 nationally. That’s more than twice as well-ranked as GWU overall.</p>
<p>DC is better for IAFF, and is obviously more political. If you like history, politics, and having a campus by the White House, DC wins. Of course. Professors practice it.</p>
<p>LA is fun. If you want a different scene that’s less into politics and more of a party city, LA wins. CA wins for the proximity to the beach and the better weather.</p>
<p>I would attend USC then move to DC after graduation. Or attend USC for a BA, then GWU for law school. Of course, going to college in the city you want to later work in has some benefits-- alumni connections, previous jobs you’ve had here, knowledge of your city as you attended college in that city, etc. Where do you plan to move to after graduation? East Coast or West Coast? </p>
<p>Which school offered you more of a scholarship? Go to whichever is cheapest for you.</p>
<p>specifically for international affairs it is a no-brainer (if we’re going solely off academic and professional considerations). if you were majoring in literally anything else (except for poli sci), USC would be a better choice. but elliott school, a top 10 IR school, WITH scholarship money…no doubt GW. you’ll have a better academic experience and DC is an internship Mecca. from what i know, the usc campus is in a not great part of town, whereas GW right in the heart of foggy bottom. the weather isnt really bad at all (though i’m a native new englander so i might not be the best source).
nonetheless, LA is probably cooler than DC and USC, as has already been pointed out, is ranked about 25 spots higher overall. still, i would give the final edge to GW, especially with that extra 10k in your pocket and your IR major</p>