Help a student decide? (USC, GWU, Swat)

Parents Forum
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<p>This is coming from a parent who knows nothing about any of these schools as it relates to your major, but I can chime in on Swat from my D’s opinion. She was a recruit for a varsity sport and had an official weekend there. She loves small schools but ultimately found she felt like she had exhausted the social scene in her short time there. She was terribly worried she would grow tired of it by the end of freshman year. She didn’t have to test that choice as she ultimately didn’t get in!</p>

<p>She had officials at two other small schools and didn’t feel as ‘cramped’ - for what that may be worth to you.</p>

<p>On the flip side - we know Swat to be excellent - even grueling academically and very well regarded for grad programs you would pursue.</p>

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<p>Can’t speak to USC, but I did go to Swat undergrad and GWU for grad school, many moons ago. (My S is at Swat now so I have some recent knowledge, too.) Swat is a small school experience but provides an amazing education. Swat is a traditional liberal arts school, so you learn more about how to think than how to do (that said, you are in theory prepared to learn to do many things). There are opportunities through externships (one-week shadowing) and internships (mainly in the summer), to get actual experience in your area of interest. Alumni connections are strong. It is an intense environment, but very friendly and not competitive. Pressure is largely self-imposed.</p>

<p>GWU is excellent in providing concrete experiences, especially internships and connections to leaders in a variety of fields. My graduate classes were easier than classes at Swat, but did give me practical knowledge and experience that I still use today. GWU definitely helped me get started in my field, though I also know (from what employers said) that the Swat undergrad made my resume strong. GWU’s size means that you are a number to the administration, but individual programs and majors make the experience more personal.</p>

<p>You have three great choices. Good luck!</p>

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<p>M’s Mom, I’ve heard about its intellectual intensity and I’m not apprehensive at all toward that. I like the idea of the consortium and that I can cross-register at Penn as well but I also heard that not many students actually do that. Regarding being close to home, I’ll be the last to leave home so I’m a little concerned about how far I’d be as my mom has a strong aversion to planes and long-distance traveling. I’m pretty certain about IR and I find it really interesting along with many other fields in the social sciences. If I do change my mind though, I’m not sure I’d be as happy at GW. Thanks for bringing that point up.</p>

<p>Crizello, nice to hear from an IR grad at GW! I agree that for grad school the lack of campus wouldn’t matter to me either but for undergrad it’s something I think is important. I’m pursuing IR mostly because I find it the most interesting. As our world gets increasingly globalized I also think that it would be useful. Honestly, all of those things you said appeal to me about why I want to pursue IR. I’m really interested in foreign policy or maybe even becoming a foreign service officer. However, I’m also interested in international business in the area of social entrepreneurship. I’ve also traveled all my life and I haven’t really stayed in the same place for more than two years, one of my long-term life goals is to see as much of the world as I can.</p>

<p>Wbwa, thanks for the opinion about USC! I’m sensing you might be (or have connections to) a Trojan :slight_smile: </p>

<p>intparent, I’ll be visiting again in three weeks so maybe I’ll be able to get a better sense of the school after that.</p>

<p>mini, I honestly don’t know at this point how much of an emphasis I should put on gaining internsips over all other factors. I still have to think more about this. I really appreciate the help though!</p>

<p>downtoearch, thank you for your input! I understand what you mean about that about finding a group within a group at GW.</p>

<p>maidenmom, thanks for the opinion! I’ll get a better gauge on the social environment and if I match with it when I visit.</p>

<p>bubmom, as Swat is the only LAC on my list, what you said about it preparing me to learn to do many things does appeal to me. That is awesome that you went to Swat as an undergrad and went on to GWU-- I knew posting on this forum would help me. </p>

<p>Thank you to everyone who took to effort to help me. Scary thought, College. I’m growing up quickly and now I have to make one of the first big decisions of my life. I hope that you all don’t mind but I might just send you a message in the case that I have a question about something you wrote or have questions about your personal experiences. Thanks again.</p>

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<p>For that major, I believe GWU would be best. You are right about USC’s atmosphere! But I believe you will prosper more elsewhere</p>

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<p>You have pretty clear choices:</p>

<p>GW gives you the best shot at in-college internships and an entry-level job, and it’s in the middle of a fun city, especially if you are a politics/diplomacy junkie.</p>

<p>USC is close to home, offers excellent educational opportunities, and will mean more than GW if you want to work in Southern California rather than Washington. It’s also in a city with plentiful opportunities for term-time jobs, etc. It has great school spirit, lots of frats, the mainstream “traditional college experience” dream.</p>

<p>Swarthmore is hands-down the best educational option you have, a peer of Harvard and Yale. In terms of your fellow students and the quality and rigor of its educational program, it’s in a completely different league than GW – and that will be the opinion of people in Washington, too – and, except in the perception of people in SoCal, a meaningful step up from even the honors programs at USC. It’s also much smaller than the others, and in a suburb (albeit with decent 30-min. public transportation to a city that isn’t a hotbed of IR internships), and without the sports and fraternity culture of USC. Its campus is gorgeous. It’s going to cost you the least. It’s really special, but you aren’t going to be able to get a term-time job on Capitol Hill.</p>

<p>Long-term, Swarthmore is likely to serve you better than the others, possibly much better. If you are committed to living your life primarily in the Los Angeles area, you could make an argument for USC. I think GW is a poor choice in this group under any circumstances, but that doesn’t mean it can’t work the way you hope it does.</p>

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<p>Sorry to revive this thread but I’m in the process of making my final decision-- would it be crazy of me to choose USC over Swat?</p>

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<p>I think JHS summed up your choice pretty well (unless we’re missing some crucial facts). And no, you aren’t crazy to choose USC over Swat: Ultimately, you have to feel good about this decision for the next 4 years. You’re the one attending, not us. But don’t choose USC because it’s the easy option, or you’re afraid. Choose it because it’s the best place for you to achieve your goals.</p>

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<p>Atelophobia-- it seems like you really know what you want to do and where you want to be, but are worried that some people might think Swat is better than USC. I know plenty of people who could argue either side and have convincing arguments because they both are excellent schools. Do what you think is right for you. BTW, D picked USC over HYPS schools and many thought she was crazy too. She wasn’t. She was just doing what she felt was best for herself, and has had a wonderful experience so far.</p>

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<p>Thank you everyone! I really appreciate you all taking the time and effort to help me. I will be committing to USC :)</p>

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<p>Congrats on making your choice. You chose the school that was the best fit for you, so you made the right choice.</p>

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<p>Congrats. As most here argued, all great choices. But especially if you are like almost every else in SoCal ultimately wanting to live/work in SoCal post grad (or so it just seems?), your decision will probably prove the most pragmatic.</p>