<p>What do you guys think? I want to study IR. I know that JHU has a great Int'l studies program and is close to DC, and they have a full-time campus in China (i have been studying chinese for 4 years). </p>
<p>Penn is an ivy and im sure they have a good IR program... mostly i am hesistant to turn down the benefits i might get from having a degree from an ivy. Also, i think i might make some really great connections at penn through Wharton, etc. </p>
<p>I really like the academic environment at Chicago, and i know that I would get a really great education there. I am a little intimidated that i will overwhelmed by the workload, but that may be a risk i am willing to take.</p>
<p>As for social/location factors, I don't like the fact that penn is kind of a party school, but then i also feel with ~9,000 undergrads, I can probably find a number of people that aren't in frats, etc. Does anyone who has experience with Penn know if it is very difficult socially if you don't want to be part of the greek system?</p>
<p>Obviously, i want to be in a city, and i have never spent any serious amount of time in any of these cities, so im not too picky. </p>
<p>JHU--IR is the best; I'm sure they have an extensive network there as far as IR is concerned...possibly better than Penn</p>
<p>JHU vs. Ivy League--anyone who will matter in life will understand and realize that for your particular major, JHU is just as accredited if not better than Penn...</p>
<p>Honestly, I know nothing about Chicago except that it'd be hypercold...</p>
<p>JHU has a beautiful campus, a lot of security everywhere. Of course Baltimore is a very urban environment but not much more so then Chicago or (I'm guessing) the area around penn. People need to stop talking crap about JHU and the surrounding area unless they have recently been here. There is so much happening in the neighborhood. The university just built 2 new buildings and a company is rebuilding some buildings in the charles village. I wouldn't be surprised if the rent in the neighborhood would shoot up sharply in the near future. Plus it's only 1 side of the campus that's nasty and that's pretty far away. The other side is still a fancy neighborhood. Just use your head.</p>
<p>I'm deciding between JHU and Chicago right now, and I'm pretty sure I'll choose Chicago. Overall, I feel it will give me a more thorough education. In the academic world, it is very widely respected, moreso than many other schools that kids and other people commonly think of as "better." The school has an intellectual focus, and it has drawn impressive faculty. Chicago is a fantastic city, and, of course, the campus looks like Hogwarts.</p>
<p>You have three great options, though, and you can't really go wrong. Good luck.</p>
<p>For pure academic knowlege, Chicago would likely come out on top. However, factoring the zillion factors of college life beyond education (enjoyment, city, alumni, social life, etc),</p>
<p>I'd say Penn first (though as a Penn student I am hopelessly biased)</p>
<p>The differences in education are marginal if they exist at all (even a PhD at craphole U is going to know more than you at the undergrad level), and it's really all in how much dedication you yourself put into the education.</p>
<p>From what how you've described yourself, it sounds to me as if UChicago or JHU are your best choices. My daughter is at Chicago, and its reputation for academic overload is exaggerated. Yes, it attracts students who, like yourself, are intrigued by the "life of the mind," and there is certainly not a heavy party/frat scene. But the students there clearly appear to do their share of partying, drinking, etc. -- and have the time to take advantage of one of the greatest cities in the world. You should visit the campuses and decide what suits you best. Good luck on choosing among three great choices.</p>
<p>You have three wonderful choices! I guess I am biased towards UChicago since I have a F, H and S who graduated from there. I grew up in the neighborhood and all I can say is that Chicago is 100% better now than when I was there in the 60's, 70's and early 80's. Two mayors, Washington and Daley have made it cleaner, safer, and prettier! And my gosh the cultural benefits of all kinds of music, museums, art galleries, restaurants, restaurants, theatre and more restaurants! I love Chicago - I go back regularly b/c my folks still live in Hyde Park and they love it as octogenarians!! It is cold so you would have to deal with that but if you stay the summers by any chance, get a bike and bike along the lake - awesome! </p>
<p>UChicago has so many kinds of languages to offer in their curriculum. I don't think they have an international relations department but they have a vast array of cultural curriculum and cultural centers.</p>
<p>Penn is an awesome school too - lots of resources. You can't go wrong with this school. This school would definitiely have more traditional school spirit for sports.</p>
<p>Don't know much about JHU but I have known a couple of students who are attending now and like it alot.</p>
<p>Good luck on your decision! All three have much to offer.</p>
