<p>I got accepted to SFS, SIS at American, and Medill at Northwestern. I think I’m pretty set on international studies no matter where I go, so I would change my major at Northwestern. I’m going to end up paying the same amount of $$ no matter which I choose.</p>
<p>I’m from Chicago, so I don’t know if I want to be that close to home at NU.</p>
<p>I visited Gtown and American. While GU came across as the more rigorous school academically, it also seemed to me like the more “uppity” of the two. Any credence to this?? What’s the atmosphere like at GU for somebody who doesn’t come from a lot of money? I liked the social atmosphere at American alright, but I worry that it’s nowhere near as great academically as GU.</p>
<p>My d. hated the vibe at GT (way too preppy and entitled in feel - others will feel differently) , and is now a very happy camper at AU, where the advising and internship opportunities have been pretty spectacular. I imagine the academics at GT are generally stronger, but (from my D’s experience), I also expect that they are more flexible at AU (my d. is an international business major (accounting), international service (economic development) minor, and expects to take four years of Arabic - I think that would be rather difficult to accomplish at GT).</p>
<p>I should have added - I imagine the academics at GT are generally stronger in the liberal arts and sciences; I have no reason to believe they are significantly stronger in business (Business Week scores them about the same) or in IR (American is larger, and may have more offerings.)</p>
<p>I think this decision would have to fall on finances. To be quite honest, I would choose Northwestern out of the three if costs are a wash. Northwestern offers the best combination between academic rigor, social life, and prestige out of all three. If costs are significantly lower at AU(I assume you probably received the presidential scholarship), then it should be chosen over the others in my opinion. As an international affairs major in this economy, you are taking a serious risk by taking on a significant amount of debt by graduation.</p>
<p>Mini, did your d. find that internships were harder to come by at Georgetown? I noticed that “entitled” feeling the students seem to have at GT as well. I suppose I’m hoping that, if I go there, I would be able to seek out the “regular” kids (I’ve had some experience with that at my high school, ugh). Is that wishful thinking on my part? Are the rich kids’ just too prevalent?</p>
<p>Ryan, what’s your opinion on having an IR degree in this economy? I would think that if your studies were focused on Latin America or the Middle East, you would be able to find work… maybe I’m wrong, though.</p>
<p>I have no idea whether internships are harder or easier to come by. I know that there are huge numbers of internships available, that my d. has had more than her share of interviews (for which she was extraordinarily well-prepped by the career advising office, which even provided her with an emergency appointment at night when she unexpectedly landed an interview for a very prestigious one the next morning), and they all seemed to go very well. This week she’ll find out.</p>