<p>So I'm looking for schools with an international relations major, and I can't seem to decide which college I would like best. Georgetown in Washington D.C. is my top choice, it has the best school of foreign service and it has the most graduates employed in the U.S. foreign service.
Here's where it get's tricky George Washington University has the second most graduates employed by the foreign service, but it's only ranked 51 by U.S. news, and I can do better than that. Should I look for more prestigious schools with not as good an international relations program for it's employability, or something like George Washington for it's name value in international relations. </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>if you’re sure about international relations, George Washington is a GREAT choice. Its ranked top 10 in IR and the internship opportunities will be invaluable. Plus, you’ll be taught by people still working in the field=great connections</p>
<p>William and Mary has a strong IR major - it’s one of the larger academic programs at the school. If you’re instate, this would make a strong affordable possibility for you. Or, if you’re OOS but money is not a significant problem, you may want to check it out. W&M itself offers a cooperative program with St. Andrews University in Scotland, and also a semester in DC program.</p>
<p>Check out Tufts - it’s one of the top IR schools</p>
<p>Agree about Tufts and GWU. Keep in mind that GWU wants to be shown love. They see a lot of applicants who are using them as a safety but are aiming at Georgetown. A surprising number of those applicants are rejected. Don’t let that happen to you–figure out the things that would make you want to attend GWU on its own merits, not that it happens to be another DC school.</p>
<p>Undergrads at Tufts regardless of major can take courses at Fletcher, the university’s graduate IR school. </p>
<p>How much can your family afford to pay per year? If there’s no problem paying list price at Georgetown then no worries, but if you’re looking for need-based or merit aid you’ll want to have some additional affordable possibilities. </p>
<p>Take a look at Macalester (very strong international presence, though without the DC proximity it sounds like you want), UM-College Park (political science, but DC proximity) and Johns Hopkins (IR and near enough to DC).</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions! I am indeed looking at William and Mary, that would be very affordable. Tufts is also on the list although I like it a little less than W&M. I have also heard about that Georgetown GWU safety debacle, and I am actually a little scared that it might happen to me.</p>
<p>But if you can clarify, it seems like you all are suggesting to go more for the IR schools than the prestige?</p>