<p>I've been researching colleges for IR lately and was wondering, am i at a complete disadvantage if i dont go to D.C.? I've been looking at Macalester, i really like it. I'm a midwesterner born and raised and i'd really like to study in St. Paul. But i dont know if id be an idiot for passing up an opportunity to study IR in DC at a school like American University. I still really like American and DC but I really like the advantages of an LAC and especially the international feel of Macalester. Anyways, would passing up DC mean a big disadvantage in terms of internships, job placement, overall education, etc.?</p>
<p>Plenty of people work in the field of IR, work for government agencies, etc, with degrees from many, many other schools. You don’t have to attend a school in DC to end up with a job. You just need to do really well wherever you go, and make the time to do internships, etc.</p>
<p>A lot of schools offer a Washington semester program (intern and study in DC while going to school elsewhere), which is nice. However, government agencies in the area are always grateful for a few unpaid interns, and the positions are far more competitive during the summer. If Macalester is where you feel best, though, go for it. DC will give you a better chance at seizing opportunity, but too many students let all that pass them by…</p>
<p>Yup, that logic is right, DC is the best hands down for IR. So if you get into American, Harvard, and Princeton, pick American because it’s in DC.</p>
<p>If you were wondering, that was sarcasm to prove a point–the city only matters to a certain extent…top schools will attract top recruiters, regardless.</p>
<p>If you’re looking for a school which is very strong in IR (stronger than American and GW) and gives you exposure to the world of politics and international affairs, Tufts is a good place to look. It’s big on the International bit (big on diversity in general. there are so many different types of people there), it’s similarly priced (and better with FA) than Macalester (and certainly AU), and your proximity to Harvard and MIT, along with the presence of the Fletcher school, mean that you have access to the same speakers who frequent events at DC schools. Tufts is also very good with setting people up for work in DC.</p>