IR: Swat v. Gtown SFS

<p>I was hoping to seek an advice regarding my current dilemma.</p>

<p>I have been fortunate enough to have a choice among the two of my top choice schools - Swarthmore and Georgetown SFS. While I am dedicated to International Relations for undergraduate studies, I intend to attend law school within a few years of my graduation from college and attain a J.D. While my current intention is to work in foreign relations, my intended future occupation may most certainly change throughout the course of my further education.</p>

<p>Financial concerns are minimal, and I consider myself conservative in political interests as well as in my living style (and in general, very vocal about my personal views. I mention it only because many have mentioned Swarthmore to be a very liberal place). I do come from a metropolitan city.</p>

<p>I am now split between two very different, but great schools. Yes, I am dedicated to IR for undergraduate studies. No, I do not intend to attend graduate schools for IR. I would welcome any insight that people may be willing to share.</p>

<p>In some ways, I feel like being a vocal conservative is easier than being a quiet conservative, if you thrive on debate. Fiscal conservatism can definitely be discussed cogently here. Social conservatism is also supported IF it is based in Christianity (there may well be Muslim conservatives, etc., but they don’t have an established support network on campus).</p>

<p>However, if you are absolutely set on majoring in IR, then Georgetown is probably a better choice than Swarthmore. Studying international relations at Swarthmore is an interdisciplinary endeavor that will probably require you to take tangentially related courses in a way that is typical of all liberal arts colleges but atypical compared to a specialist school like Georgetown SFS.</p>

<p>I agree. There is already a small group of vocal conservatives on campus, and I’m sure they would love to have you if you choose Swat (and despite my disagreements with them, they are pretty cool).</p>

<p>Anyway I agree with the Gtown decision. I can think of friends interested in IR… but neither of them are trying to special-major in IR. I don’t know the details, but they are taking some alternative route (poli sci, econ, and languages).</p>