International Relations Graduate school SAIS vs. Yale Vs Georgetown vs Texas A&M

Graduate School
1

<p>Greetings all from Paris, France:</p>

<p>I am an active duty US Army Officer currently stationed in France . (Before cominng here, I was in some other less-savory places). My next career step is graduate school in International Relations, and I have been accepted to Yale, SAIS, Georgetown and Texas A&M/Bush School. (The money is even: all schools have given me the same aid package). I will have my family with me (wife and 2 year old son), so input on the available lving condition, commuting, etc will be welcome. I am at the disadvantage that I must make this decision from a distance, so any input about the relative merits of the schools would be welcome. Because I am on active-duty, I will be exempted from the internship requirement, and in any case, I will have an immediate follow-on assignment in International relations. (This makes proximity to DC for internships a non-factor for me, although a beltway area school may also facilitate a follow-on asignment in the DC Area). All the programs are quality programs, so I'll get a good education anywhere, but I would like to hear about the schools so that I don't make my decision totally based on logistics and commute times...</p>

<p>Many thanks</p>

2

<p>Are we to assume the Army is paying some of your tuition, BAH, BAS, and other expenses?</p>

3

<p>Well, I'll be going to Yale, so I say join me!!! It wasn't a tough choice for me, personally, since I want to continue to PhD and taking classes with PhD students seemed like the best preparation....but I was, at first, tempted by SAIS until I found out they weren't giving me any funding. </p>

<p>Whatever you decide, cross Texas A&M off your list....they aren't in the same league as SAIS, Georgetown, or even Yale (which is less policy-oriented than the DC schools). </p>

<p>Anyway, good luck with your decision!</p>