Hi all-
I was accepted into University of St. Andrews this morning! I was extremely excited for the first 20 minutes until I realized that now I need to make a decision…yikes!
I received an unconditional offer for international relations, Arabic and Persian at University of St. Andrews. I know the academics will be superb and the university has a wonderful reputation. I am sure that I want to attend graduate school in the future so I’m sure with good grades at St. Andrews, many doors would open. I haven’t had the opportunity to visit the campus (I’m working out the details for a visit in a few months) but I have heard it’s beautiful, a very international environment, and it would be a very exciting place to study. It would also be an adventure for me to move to Scotland.
On the other hand, I am feeling confident about my application to American University in Washington, D.C. I would be able to job shadow, intern, and take all different types of classes. I am becoming more and more interested in political science rather than international relations which is concerning if I were to chose St. Andrews. At American, I would be able to change my major and still graduate in four years. However, American does not offer Persian, a language I am extremely interested in studying.
I believe both universities would likely cost the same for me. I am participating in a year long foreign exchange program currently so I am confident that homesickness won’t be a problem. I consider St. Andrew’s location to be a pro.
Do any of you have experience with either (or both) universities? I would love to hear other people’s opinions as I make this decision.
Thanks in advance!!!
St. Andrews is in a beautiful area but DC is no slouch! If you are interested in either IR or Political Science, there is no better place to be than DC. Very livable city, too.
Do you speak any Arabic or Persian now? If not focus on Arabic first and you can always pick up Persian later.
Hi!! I also applied to that exact program at St. As, but still haven’t heard back. Would you mind sharing your test scores/gpa/ecs? Regarding your question-- in my opinion St. A’s is the better choice. Especially for your program, going to school abroad will further your world perspective, and they have one of the best IR/ Middle Eastern Studies program in the world. And maybe we will be future classmates!!
Apply to AU (Honors?).
Decide later.
Since location is a plus for you, I’d pick St Andrews.
IR is a lot of political science (often is a branch of that department) and the St Andrews program would not disappoint if you’re interested in that. However do look into opportunities to have internships in Edimburgh, London, Berlin, Paris, AND in the US - ask about career services, help in locating and securing internships, etc.
Hi! I’m a freshman in the School of International Service at AU, majoring in international studies and learning arabic.
I wouldn’t be concerned at all about AU not offering farsi: you can take farsi classes at Georgetown or George Washington thanks to the DC consortium. I know a lot of students who do arabic at AU first and then take farsi classes later, typically after they go abroad. There’s a good degree of flexibility.
I don’t think any city in the world can match DC in internship opportunities: Capitol Hill, State Dept., embassies, think tanks. etc. SIS is a well regarded school in in the international relations field and being from there will really open up a lot of doors for you. If rankings are your thing, consider this: SIS is ranked #9 in the world for an undergrad degree in IR while St. Andrews is unranked (http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/02/03/top-twenty-five-schools-international-relations/).
All that being said, go wherever you enjoy being the most! St. Andrews is a really great school and I’m actually considering going there for my semester abroad and hopefully grad school later on. Both are top notch IR schools and it should really come down to whatever you feel fits you the best.
Best of luck!
I’d definitely go with St Andrews. Their IR program is very famous and the faculty are excellent, Moreover, St Andrews campus is stunning and the people very friendly.
The other advantage you’ll get with St Andrews is another perspective on IR. And going to university oversea’s is an IR experience in itself!
@bkhosh99 Thanks for the belly laugh this morning. I am not sure whats funnier the list, or the fact you give it any credence, given US foreign policy over the last 15 years or so.
Bkhosh - the undergrad list states that it is only of US universities, so it wouldn’t include St Andrew’s.
@Conformist1688 whoops didn’t see that, you’re right. If you look at masters programs (US and international schools) though St. Andrews isn’t on there, for whatever that’s worth.
I have a relative who did best of both worlds. UG at American and currently completing a master’s at St. Andrew’s. St. Andrew’s Master’s programs is accelerated (just 1 year) compared to US programs, so, though a US citizen, it is cheaper for her to get her Master’s at St. Andrew.
I am in the same boat as you. St. Andrews gave me an unconditional offer, but at the same time going to an American school also has its perks. Like other people said above, don’t worry that American doesn’t have Persian, other schools in the DC area would welcome you as a student. One of the things that really attracted me to St. Andrews was that I already know what I want to major in. From your post, I gathered that you somewhat do. I believe that taking general education classes are a bit of a waste of time. St. Andrews is different because it has less flexibility when it comes to changing, but students still can. Is there any chance that you looked at the Prospectus on the St. Andrews’s web page? That might clear up a few questions, especially regarding to course changes. Getting into the International Relations program is fantastic, for that field of study is twice as competitive than other Masters (Bachelors in the U.S.) degree. If you do end up going to St. Andrews there will be plenty of opportunities. You will have an outside (non-American) perspective on the world and I heard that a quality like that attracts many companies/ job opportunities. What I would suggest if you want the best of both worlds is that you apply to the William and Mary joint program. This program will allow you to study at St. Andrews for your first year, then you will have two years at William and Mary, and your final year would be back in Scotland. By doing this it will allow you to get the American experience you crave as well as the Scottish one. There is also another perk when it comes to graduating from this program - you will receive a degree from both colleges. But there may be a downside. I am not 100% sure if you can study other course, so you might want to figure that out. Also you are uprooted and placed in a different place, so it might be hard socially. Otherwise I believe it is a perfect program that you might want to take a look at.
I hope this post didn’t make you more confused and actually helped. I wish you the best of luck. If you need any help feel free to message me.
The William & Mary and St. Andrews Joint Degree Program only allows you to pick one course of study, but both are very well known for international relations. Depending on which university you apply to as your “home university”, you can also choose how you want to distribute your four years, as long as you are spending two years are each. My impression of the program is that because you have a specific amount of time at each university, it is more structured than other programs, but allows you to build connections in both. Another option could simply be study abroad or interning over the summer if you want a different type of experience. Good luck
@Longhaul Could you possibly give any admission stats for postgraduate admissions at St. Andrews or insight from your relative on how they’re liking their program? I’m an American student currently finishing two UG degrees in the states and am looking heavily into applying to St. A’s for PG studies (most likely marketing or management)! I only have one contact who went there and she got her UG there, and isn’t very familiar with their postgraduate programs. The website lists a 3.0-3.6+/4.0 for PG, but I am just wondering how difficult admission is for PG students!
Thanks!