Help! Georgetown vs. University of Pennsylvania

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I got into Georgetown and University of Pennsylvania (both in their College of Arts and Sciences) for fall ‘09, and I’m interested in international relations, political science, and foreign languages/cultures. On one hand, Georgetown is known for its international relations programs and benefits from being in DC (awesome internships, speakers, museums, elections--the list goes on and on), but on the other hand, Penn also offers strong IR/political science programs (and has a greater variety of other majors) and Philly is a very cultural city with a lot of history in US politics (plus, it’s relatively close to DC and NYC).</p>

<p>I am mostly concerned with these schools’ programs and resources (although the campus and student body is important as well). Really, which school has more to offer, not only for what I want to study, but lets me explore other things as well? </p>

<p>I’m completely torn between these two schools! Any help/insight would be greatly appreciated…</p>

2

<p>Why didn’t you apply to SFS or Huntsman?</p>

<p>I would go to Georgetown and try to transfer to SFS. Georgetown is one of the best, if not the best school in the world for IR.</p>

3

<p>Personally, I’d choose Georgetown, not only for its strength in IR but also for its location. I love Philly, but DC is a lovely city and will be the ultimate place for connections (better than Philly). I also love the Georgetown area and Georgetown’s campus is absolutely beautiful! I stayed at Catholic University of America one summer and we visited Georgetown.</p>

4

<p>Agree with what ca87 said.</p>

5

<p>ditto with elizab. BUT it depends on Financial situation. I would go with Penn if F/A is better.</p>

6

<p>Penn’s Huntsman program includes IR + business, and since business isn’t my thing I didn’t apply. And I was going to apply to SFS, but I decided on the College since it offered a greater variety of majors, while still offering Government. However, 5 months after applying, I think I would try to transfer to SFS if I went to Georgetown.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

7

<p>If it were SFS vs Penn CAS, then maybe SFS. Even then I would not hesitate to go to Penn. Georgetown CAS vs Penn CAS, Penn wins hands down.</p>

8

<p>If you KNOW for sure you wanna do IR, go to Gtown, transfer to SFS, and you’re set! Otherwise, Penn’s CAS is probably slightly better, but weight the campuses. Good luck!</p>

9

<p>Right, I’m just worried in case I ended up changing my mind about my major…</p>

10

<p>Okay then you gotta go with Penn. Penn is much strong in virtually every other area. If there is one slight IOTA of a chance you may do something else, (which there is with 99% of freshman that is completely normal) then you should go to Penn hands down.</p>

11

<p>You shouldn’t immediately disqualify Georgetown, even if Penn CAS is a stronger all around school.</p>

<p>The student bodies are equally strong, and you should take the opportunity to visit both campuses before you make your decision.</p>

12

<p>I’ve visited both campuses more than once, but unfortunately I’m still undecided. Hence the start of this thread…</p>

13

<p>The major you are considering is strong in both schools, they are both great schools, both in cities so both urban type campus. But do you feel that you fit in any better with the students you see on one campus vs the other. Put the academics aside and weigh some other factors that may be important and see if that helps.
or make a decision and see if you have any regrets. let it sit for a few days in your head…</p>

14

<p>Penn and Georgetown are great schools, very similar. If you’re interested in IR, you should consider transferring to SFS, which you can do relatively easily after freshman year. You’ll have majors available to you that simply aren’t available at most other schools, such as International Economics, International Political Economy, International Politics, Culture and Politics, Science Technology and International Affairs, International History, etc. Each of these also has interesting subconcentrations, Security Studies being a popular one. There’s also International Business in the Business School, and International Health in the Nursing and Health Studies School. If you’re interested in culture and languages, Georgetown has the Culture and Politics major, and various languages offered through the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics.</p>

<p>Penn has more majors, mostly due to its additional Engineering School, and a couple more majors in CAS. However Georgetown also has lots of programs as well. Penn may make it easier for you to take courses in other schools. Even if you decide not to do IR at Georgetown, there are still lots of great programs (yes, we non-IR students do exist, haha).</p>

<p>I personally like Penn’s campus more than Georgetown, as it’s bigger, has more green, and Locust Walk is pretty nice. Georgetown has the Intercultural Center, basically dedicated to languages and IR, and has a little coffee shop, computer lab, language lab, etc. in there as well. Penn has Greek life, Georgetown doesn’t (student organizations fulfill the same role).</p>

15

<p>Penn ftw! As the self-proclaimed patron saint of IR on the CC boards, I invite you to ask me any questions you might have. :)</p>

<p>Both are fine schools–among the nation’s best, but Penn and its CAS are stronger overall schools.</p>

16

<p>thanks so much for all of your help! i think i’ve made my decision :D</p>

17

<p>which school? I’m really curious!</p>

18

<p>Georgetown '13!!</p>