<p>Can anyone tell me how the strength of the Political Science/International Relations programs at Georgetown compares to similar programs at the following schools:</p>
<p>Washington University in St. Louis
Johsn Hopkins
University of Chicago
Amherst College
Swarthmore
Williams
Middlebury</p>
<p>I'm interested in Asian studies specifically, and I plan on going to some form of higher degree, but I don't know if It'l be a PhD, or a JD or an MBA or something else. I just know I want to study International Relations undergrad, and want to find the best place to do it. Can anyone help me out?</p>
<p>The answer to your question depends on whether your interest in Asian studies, IR and Poly Sci is strictly an intellectual one or is a deeper one where you want to do something in IR/Political Science career wise. If it is the former, all the schools above have professors who will teach you well and provide you with an excellent four years before you go off to grad/law/MBA school. If it is the latter, Georgetown with its faculty of former heads of state, cabinet members, ambassadors, senators (and highly regarded scholars), and its location at the heart of power, will bring you into the world of policy making, diplomacy and politics as no other school on planet earth is capable of doing. If you really want to some day become a President, Senator, Ambassador, Diplomat, Spy, think tank fellow, international organization pro, NGO honcho, or the like, Georgetown is the place to go. Much as Willy Sutton went to banks for money or Patti Lupone went to Juillard to learn acting, someone wanting a professional future in I/R and political Science will want to go to Georgetown.</p>
<p>Another major considereation is that Georgetown is an AP Respecting Intstitution which Amherst and Williams are not. Georgetown will recognize your honors AP scores with academic credit that would allow you to pursue a 5 year Masters in Asian Studies or MSFS if you are admitted to the SFS.</p>
<p>Like vienna man said, it really depends on the career you’re looking into. If you want to go into academia or pursue a career not necessarily related to policy, all those schools would be excellent. Johns Hopkins and Georgetown would probably prepare you more for a career in politics/foreign service though. I’d also consider the University of California: San Diego though. UCSD is said to be one of the nation’s best schools for Asian/Pacific Studies-take a look at the program.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in Asian Studies, Victor Cha is a professor of Government and Asian Studies at Georgetown, which shows how strong the program is. [Victor</a> Cha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Cha]Victor”>Victor Cha - Wikipedia)</p>