<p>The title says it all. Do people know anything about the IR departments and status of foreign relations in general of the following schools (for undergrad obviously)...</p>
<p>University of Richmond
Tufts
St. Olaf
GW
Brandeis
Lafayette
Franklin & Marshall
American</p>
<p>I know it appears to be a random list, but these are the schools I applied to and got into. If you have opinions on other schools feel free to reply, it wont help me but may help someone else.</p>
<p>Tufts is probably the most prestigious. GW and American are great for IR. Have you visited the schools? I'd say it depends on money and the fit.</p>
<p>If you are planning on graduate school or a career in foreign relations, make sure you will leave your undergrad college fluent in at least TWO languages besides English. (State Department now requires it for entry; most graduate schools will require it within the first year.) So make sure the language departments are strong. Unless you are extraordinarily gifted with languages, it is unlikely you will be able to acquire the necessary fluency later very easily.)</p>
<p>Georgetown, probably. I think DePaul has a good IR program.</p>
<p>I know Georgetown is good for IR, but I didnt get in there.
Does anyone know about recruiters who go to such schools. Do people from the State Dept, intell agencies, I dunno...the UN visit these schools? I am less concerned w/ academic reputation and more with getting a job. Any input is appreciated....</p>
<p><strong><em>bump</em></strong></p>
<p>The Tufts IR is definitely the best of the ones you've listed (everyone I know here is either IR or premed - a striking coexistance).</p>
<p>So</p>
<p>Tufts: 2
American: 1
GW: 1</p>
<p>anyone else have any input on these fine schools?</p>
<p>All those schools are good. I suggest you consider that you may want to spend a year abroad studying in a foreign language if foreign service / IR is your interest. If so, all these programs feed into many of the same packaged study abroad programs but may differ as to how your financial aid will work with these programs, and, if you are creative, help / handle direct enrollment in a foreign university. That may make a difference for you. Remember to consider that the less debt you graduate with, the more flexibility you will have for creative summer experiences, grad school, internships, work choices. Also, find out about special programs such as funding for student research, special internships only available at that school, etc. Ask about competitiveness so you know whether you have to be honors, etc. to participate. Remember, that St. Olaf and F&M are both great schools that will offer the opportunity to really get to know your professors and work on research with them. Small colleges can offer experiences that at bigger universities may be more difficult to access. Overall, your education will be what you make of it. Good luck, you have some great choices.</p>