<p>I'm looking at studying International Relations in college. I know that Middlebury has a very strong IR program, but I want to know how it compares to other well reknowned IR schools Like University of Chicago and Georgetown. Is it even comparable? My reasoning is this: I really love Midd, but I'm worried that I could get a superior IR education somewhere else. Can anyone out there help me out on this one?</p>
<p>Well one thing that Georgetown has going for it is Washington DC, but I am also interested in International Relations and decided that Middlebury was the school for me! </p>
<p>Honestly, the difference in International programs amongst top schools is not going to be that large, so go with the school you love :)</p>
<p>midd doesn’t actually have an IR program. it has an international students program which could be perceived as an IR program, but in essence you choose the focus of that program: you choose a region, study its language, study abroad there and choose a focus discipline such as econ, poli sci or environmental science. i think it’s really interesting, but if you’re going after a career in the government or a more politically oriented approach, i would go with georgetown.</p>
<p>echoes600, the news that Midd doesn’t have an IR program is going to be very upsetting to my friends who graduated with a degree in IPE (international politics and economics). Interestingly, Princeton Review listed Midd as the best school for foreign study just a couple years ago.</p>
<p>Urbanslaughter, your friend who graduated in IPE, what is he/she doing now? Because that’s the program I was looking at at Midd</p>
<p>swimmingjew552, he is an attorney. He graduated top ten in his law school class at G’Town. But you’ll find that undergraduate major major matters little when it comes to LAC’s. I was an art history major and I’m an attorney and real estate developer. That’s the true advantage of an LAC, they teach you the important skills - how to think, how to read, how to write, how to analyze, how to critique - that’s fundamental to the LAC experience. You can study something you’re passionate about and then go on to grad school in any field you decide to pursue.</p>
<p>Middlebury’s IR program is very very good. So is Georgetown’s, Chicago’s, George Washington’s, Columbia’s, Boston University’s, and any of a dozen or two other great schools. Which one you choose to attend should be based on fit and feel overall rather than a perception that one is heads and shoulders above the rest. Do well at any of them and, as urbanslaughter says, the one you choose will make little difference in where you ultimately go with your life.</p>