<p>Hi guys!</p>
<p>I am wondering, how important would you say a "school of (something)" is for undergraduate studies? </p>
<p>I am thinking of majoring in International Relations, and I have an offer from George Washington University, which has a school of IR. My other option (St.Andrews in Scotland) does not have a school of IR, but has a great reputation for IR nonetheless.</p>
<p>Of course there is the whole "internship" idea that makes D.C. a favorable choice, but that's a whole other debate. Although if you have any suggestions, I am all ears as I am completely lost as to which school I should choose.</p>
<p>I assume you are American.</p>
<p>If you want an experience studying in Scotland, the choice is obvious.</p>
<p>If you are looking to enter the US government, go to GWU.</p>
<p>Firstly, I am not American. I am Canadian. I understand your points, but I am looking for an institution that will help advance my professional goals. Of course I would love to spend some time in Scotland, but I’m also going to be looking for a job (or a masters) after I graduate, and I’m not 100% sure that St.Andrews will prepare me for a job as well as GWU. </p>
<p>But that’s why I’m wondering about whether or not a school of international relations is important at the undergraduate level. Could I afford to “spend time in Scotland” and then come back and do my masters in, let’s say Georgetown or Columbia? Or is it important to plunge directly into the “political world”?</p>
<p>One thing you may not realize is that you need to be a US Citizen to acquire most federal jobs. If you are looking for a DC Foreign/Public Policy job after graduation, that might be difficult.</p>
<p>If you looking to go to academia/graduate school, then I don’t think your school choice would matter. There is nothing prohibiting you from going to graduate school in America after an European degree.</p>