Southern Methodist University vs. George Washington University for International Affairs?

Colleges and Universities A-Z George Washington University
1

Hi!
I’m going to be an undergrad this fall and am wrestling between these two colleges. I’m from Houston originally, but spent a month this past summer in DC and loved it! I’ve also toured both campuses and loved both of them.

I guess I’m concerned about which school would be more beneficial for me. I’m not exactly sure what I want to do with this major. My ideas spread from diplomacy to UN work to non-profit work. My parents have said that the undergrad college isn’t as important as the grad campus, but I feel like I might miss out on something if I go to school in Texas in DC…

If there are any students who attend these schools who are in the IR major, can you give your compelling input for these schools? I want to know why you choose this school over any other IR schools: there are so many!

Thanks in advance!

2

@realsnowwhite

There is no comparison between GWU and Southern Methodist University in regards to quality of education, opportunities, connections and may be prestige for IR program. GWU is # 7 for IR nationally for undergraduate education in IR. My son is a Freshman now in just the past 4 weeks the opportunities to meet and interact with leaders and policy makers has been amazing. You will not get this at SMU.

IR is liberal arts education. So it doesn’t lead you to a job/career. It is what you make out of it. That is where connections come. SMU you will find great jobs in TX but at GWU you are likely to make connections with leaders of the present and future, who knows they may be your room mate.

See links with similar questions and answers:

  1. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/george-washington-university/1908153-george-washington-vs-american-for-international-relations-studies.html#latest
  2. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/george-washington-university/1919830-international-relations-at-gw-why-you-should-be-here-and-else-where-if-you-want-int-relations.html#latest
3

I couldn’t have said it better than @tamtiger . There’s no comparison between the two. @realsnowwhite your parents are correct about the undergrad degree being not as important as the grad degree (in terms of where it is). However, that’s just degree for degree. When you look at other opportunities afforded by networking and internships (as tamtiger alluded to) GW is leaps and bounds better than most. With the right connections, you can get a great job with just an undergrad IA degree from GW and then later work on your grad degree on the side.

4

This is like asking whether it’s better to take surfing lessons in Honolulu vs. Omaha.