<p>Hi, I am an Australian Student wanting to do a semester abroad with my University's exchange program. I have posted the list of universities that I have to choose from. I would love to hear from people that attend some of these uni's and hear a few things that I should know! </p>
<p>I am an undergrad BA (Bachelor of Arts - with Majors in Political Science and History) / BEcon (Bachelor of Economics - major in Economics and Public Policy) student!</p>
<p>Ideally, I would like to go to UPenn, however that is only available for Nursing students at my university. I would also love to be on the East Coast (as I have family in NYC), however I would really like to hear about all the other options!</p>
<p>American University
Arizona State University
Boston College
California State University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Kansas State University
Northeastern University
Purdue University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
State University of New York at Stony Brook
Texas A&M University
The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Tulane University
Washington University
University of Arizona
University of California
University of Connecticut (U21)
University of Florida
University of Illinois
University of Massachusetts
University of Michigan
University of Pennsylvania
University of Richmond
University of South Carolina
University of Texas at Austin
University of Virginia (U21)
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Wisconsin - Madison (ENG)
University of Wyoming</p>
<p>American University would be the first choice for a student with your interest in Politics and Economics. Spend some time at the AU website, and familiarize yourself with the coursework and internship opportunities available: [American</a> University Washington D.C. | Schools, Colleges, Undergraduate, Graduate, Admissions, Academics, Degrees, Faculty](<a href=“http://www.american.edu/]American”>http://www.american.edu/)</p>
<p>If you don’t like American U (or if the exchange spots are already filled), you can safely choose your exchange university based on whatever criteria you like (close to skiing, close to the beach, ease of transportation, etc.). There isn’t a bad one in this bunch.</p>
<p>Based on the stuff that you mention I would take a look at these schools specifically. They are all on the east coast and all cities. If I were studying abroad in the US I think living in a city would be nice so you can take cheap and easy flights to other cities while you are here, in addition to easily getting to NYC.</p>
<p>American University
Boston College (actually in suburbs of boston instead of in the city)
Georgia Institute of Technology (dont offer political science as major, but good econ program)
Northeastern University
University of Pennsylvania (you said nursing only so maybe out)
University of Richmond (hub for jetblue and easy to get to other places even if not a huge city)</p>
<p>Thank you swimchris and happymomof1! I really appreciate your input. I was initially considering American Uni and Boston College, if I cannot apply to UPenn.</p>
<p>Just curious - Would you think UPenn would make an exception with regards to exchange if previously they had accepted all fields? (Like, take an arts/econ student if prior to 2012 everyone could apply)</p>
<p>I am going to check with the advisor on Monday, but I was just curious as to the US perspective! </p>
<p>The only people who can answer the question about UPenn are the people at UPenn. Take a deep breath, enjoy your weekend, and ask the exchange advisor about this on Monday.</p>
<p>Schools with the strongest faculty in the areas you study: </p>
<p>For political science:
University of Michigan
University of California - Berkeley
University of California - San Diego
University of California - Los Angeles
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Texas - Austin
University of California - Davis
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
Texas A&M
UPenn
University of Washington
Stony Brook
University of Virginia </p>
<p>For economics:
University of California - Berkeley
UPenn
University of Michigan
University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of California - Los Angeles
University of California - San Diego
University of Texas - Austin
University of Virginia
University of California - Davis
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill</p>
<p>Personally, I would recommend UMich, UCB, UCLA, UNC-CH, and UVa</p>
<p>If you’re studying politics and want to totally immerse yourself in American political culture, American University is the best choice. Forget faculty strengths, U Michigan, UC Berkeley, and all of the other schools (except maybe UVA, and it’s still quite a ways away) are far from the nation’s Capitol. </p>
<p>Also American’s political science professors are extremely strong, so it’s not like your education would suffer by attending the school.</p>
<p>Unless the OP is going to be doing an internship during term time, American’s location in D.C. provides no benefits relevant to the study of politics.</p>
<p>You’re telling me that the Smithsonian museums, the frequent guest lectures by top political authorities, and American’s extremely politically active student body aren’t beneficial to the study of politics?</p>
<p>While the Smithsonian is an excellent museum, other locations have museums as well. Besides that, museums are more relevant to a history major than a politics major. </p>
<p>Other universities have guest lectures by political authorities as well. Other universities have politically active student bodies as well; in fact my alma mater is ranked as being ranked politically active than American and it’s obviously not in D.C. </p>
<p>According to Princeton review, University of Michigan is the most politically active university in the country. Texas A&M is ranked ahead of any university in D.C. </p>
<p>Georgetown, George Washington and American are all ranked one right after the other between 18 and 20. That means that 17 universities, none of which are located in D.C. are ranked as being more politically active than any of the universities in D.C. </p>
<p>This idea that politics majors should go to a school because it’s in D.C. is nonsense. The only advantage this has is the opportunity to do an internship during term time with an organization in D.C. </p>
<p>Indeed, for some politics majors D.C. doesn’t even offer internships or opportunities in which they would even be interested.</p>
<p>I have to agree with NYU 2013 that several of the other schools - notably Michigan, Wisconsin, Virginia and Chapel Hill - have stronger political science and economics departments than American, as well as a more vibrant campus life. I think it really depends on how much the OP wants to be in an east coast city with easy access to transportation, because that would be the main reason to pick American.</p>
<p>At American (and frankly most schools in DC) people live and breathe politics. I agree with those who say American is a no-brainer in this case. </p>
<p>Let’s also not forget that the east coast offers something that most of the rest of the country doesn’t – public transportation that will let you explore many interesting areas, including some of America’s most interesting cities.</p>
<p>My reason for recommending American over all of the op’s other choices stems from the basic fact that s/he will spend only one semester in America. I fully understand that Michigan has plenty of guest lectures, and a politically engaged student body (I go to Emory, which shares a number of those qualities). But to fully appreciate that I believe the OP needs to be there longer than one semester. Whereas at American, political life is in your face. It’s everywhere. If I only had a semester to study abroad, I’d want a school with the maximum number of obvious attractions, with the easiest access to famous speakers, etc. That’s why I believe American to be the best choice for an Econ/poly sci major, even if the faculty may not be as well published. </p>
<p>Also again, political science is not one of those fields where the best minds are concentrated in a narrow number of schools. Because of the massive over production of poly sci phDs, they’re widely spread out. I seriously doubt that the op, after only one semester, would notice an appreciable difference between Michigan and American poly sci professors.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies. The insight is really appreciated! It’s given me a lot to think about.</p>
<p>I am planning on doing an Internship (fingers crossed that I actually get it) in DC during the end of year break (next year, that is). </p>
<p>I still really want to go to UPenn (I think I got attached to the idea a few years ago and can’t let go!). However, if not I have a few options - American, UVA etc. </p>
<p>I was just wondering, thoughts on the Universities in Boston on the list - Northeastern, and Boston College. </p>
<p>UC Berkeley would also be an awesome experience, however I am from Brisbane (QLD), so the weather/climate would be fairly similar and I would rather be on the East Coast. </p>
<p>What are some of the general thoughts on UMass and UConn? Reason being, if I do choose/get accepted to UConn, there are some financial benefits available.</p>
<p>A few quick comments:
-Penn is a great school and Phila. is a nice northeastern city to live (I’m an alum of Penn)
-UC Berkeley would be a great experience and San Francisco would be another great city to spend a semester.
-UConn is fine as a school, but Stoors, CT is kind of in the middle of nowhere (3+ hours from NYC, 2+ hours from Boston) but if finances are a consideration it may be a good choice
-The two Boston schools would be good places to study – BC is the higher ranked/more “prestigious” school but I’m not sure if that matters a lot for a one semester abroad program-- it is a Jesuit school is in the suburbs of Boston; Northeastern is a good school and is in the city of Boston.</p>
<p>I have my heart set on UPenn, but unfortunately at the moment it appears I need to do Nursing. There is a little part of me still hoping they change their mind for 2014. </p>
<p>Just a quick question - what should I go by? My Uni is saying Penn is Nursing Only, but to check the Penn Website. </p>
<p>The Penn Abroad program says that UQ students can exchange with the College of Arts and Sciences. What are the thoughts out there? Take this to my Uni? Who’s word should I go by - UQ/UPenn?</p>
<p>You need to ask at the exchange office at your university. The people there will have the most recent information, and if they don’t they can communicate directly with their colleagues at UPenn. It is entirely possible that the information on the UPenn website is out of date.</p>