JHU or Georgetown?!

<p>I'm just wondering. I'm not trying to asserting anything or something. I've always knew Hopkins had a strength in International Relations. That may only be true in the graduate level. (SAIS like I mentioned, among the best) but do you agree that some of this excellence may have transcended at the undergraduate level?</p>

<p>For some reason, I found this interesting.</p>

<p>Chronicle</a> Facts & Figures: Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index</p>

<p>What does this say? I personally feel Hopkins has a strong undergrad IR program, I'm not sure how much so relative to other undergrad institutions. I've always knew Georgetown to be like the pinnacle of IR undergrads...buts that was based on other ppl's opinion, not based on rank or fact...so I would like to learn more here.</p>

<p>Well, generally speaking, if a school has exceptional graduate studies programs in a specific area, its undergraduate program in those areas should be very strong as well.</p>

<p>But, this list ranks "Scholarly Productivity," which the Chronicle basically describes as how much an institution's faculty has published.</p>

<p>A frequent complaint made by undergraduates who are looking for a more intimate learning environment is that professors don't give them enough attention because they are always busy doing research and trying to get published so that they can keep their jobs and boost up their uni's name. This may or may not be the case at Columbia or JHU.</p>

<p>But, if JHU's terminal degree in IR is that impressive, then the best course of action would be to get a strong grounding at Georgetown SFS, and then pursue a Ph.D at JHU later on in life. After all, ultimately, it's graduate school that counts when it comes to finding ideal employment.</p>

<p>Alright so as to undergrad IR I would argue that georgetown is the much stronger school, right up there with HYP. As for a master's degree (what most people interested in working in IR would strive for, not a PhD) both schools top the list with SFS holding an extremely slim lead over SAIS for the time being. Overall, both are excellent schools, and if your thinking of IR certainly visit both to see what type of setting your more comfortable in. </p>

<p>My bias is certainly present since I'm a current georgetown student, though not really an IR major, I feel as if gtown is a lot more undergrad focused overall, putting a majority of its grad efforts into IR, public policy and law. Thats just kinda my prospective as a current student though, as I personally see JHU as a much more grad/research focused institution. </p>

<p>My rankings I cite come from the most recent IR ranking survey which can be found at <a href="http://www.wm.edu/irtheoryandpractice/trip/surveyreport06-07.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.wm.edu/irtheoryandpractice/trip/surveyreport06-07.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Alright so as to undergrad IR I would argue that georgetown is the much stronger school, right up there with HYP.

[/quote]

Are you saying HYP's IR programs are at the same level as Georgetown's? I'm not aware of any of them with centers in DC or NYC.</p>

<p>Princeton's Woody Woo?</p>

<p>Honestly you won't go wrong with either. Georgetown may be strong in international relations because it's right in DC--are you in SFS, by the way?--but JHU isn't a weak link in international relations either. And DC is relatively close to Baltimore, anyway.</p>

<p>You should go to the one where you like better, where you really "click" and can see yourself in that kind of environment. There's a lot of Georgetown bias in this thread, but seriously don't undermine JHU.</p>

<p>Like I said, you will not go wrong with either choice. You've got excellent options--now just pick the one you like the best.</p>

<p>If you're in SFS, however, then no question go to Georgetown--it's what Georgetown is most famous for (academically, not athletically with NCAA basketball) and perhaps its strongest program.</p>

<p>What is the SFS?....Can you enlighten me on this? I'm too lazy to look this up. :-) What exactly is it? Is it similar to Wharton of UPenn where its highly selective separate school of Georgetown where you need to gain admission?</p>

<p>It's GTown's School of Foreign Service. It's what SAIS competes with at the grad level, but SFS, unlike SAIS, has an undergraduate program. When you apply to GTown, you have to apply to the college or school.</p>