I am a second-semester sophomore at a California Community College with a 3.6 college GPA, which rose from a much lower GPA in high school, and am looking at transfer options where I can study International Relations. Would College of William and Mary or Johns Hopkins University be a better option for me considering the above information?
Hi there! I am currently a student at William and Mary and on track for the international relations major. Another contact that I recommend talking to is soccerguy315 who graduated a couple of years ago
William and Mary is a fantastic place to study international relations. It is very strong program and a popular major for incoming students, and its easy to see why. The professors there really know what they are talking about (many have direct experience in the international relations) and there are many DC alumni from William and Mary working in the field. However, you should also know that international relations at W&M is very intensive. It is more econ based compared to other schools, which is good thing especially if looking for jobs in the field, but if you are not interested in that route, you may want to look elsewhere. The international relations major and William and Mary is very interdisciplinary meaning that you take courses in history, political science, economics, and a language.
William and Mary also has a very active international relations club (one of the largest on campus), language houses (that immerse you in the language), and one of the highest participation rates in study abroad of schools in the nation. Other things that distinguish William and Mary is that it has an institute of international relations that does research on campus and an undergraduate journal for international relations that students can publish in.
Given that you are from California however, you are likely going to be considered an out of state student. This would mean that tuition would be higher for you than an instate resident, something you may want to consider. I’ve heard good things about Johns Hopkins program for international relations as well, so assuming you can get in, I don’t think you can go wrong with either choice.
Hope this information was helpful!
I agree with @shawnspencer that the IR major at W&M provides an excellent academic background. There’s a strong internship program in place and a very good W&M network in DC and elsewhere. I know several recent graduates who are employed in the field.
However, the cost of OOS tuition is high, and usually only VA residents will have 100 percent of need met (even then, not always). According to the website, “Qualifying out-of-state students may receive up to 25% of their full cost of attendance in grant aid” - implying that remaining aid will be in the form of loans. JHU’s finaid may well be stronger for a California student. What is your financial situation?
You might consider Dickinson, also strong in IR, a little easier to get into.
You can try running the net price calculators at all the schools on your list (they are on the financial aid website). Sometimes FA for transfer students isn’t as good as for freshman, but if you can’t afford the school with the amount shown on the NPC for incoming freshman, then you really probably can’t afford the school.
You may find these links helpful in addition to checking out what IR at each of their respective websites
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-william-mary/1391299-chances-and-rigor-at-william-and-mary.html
Other schools that have been mentioned frequently in the IR realms include: Tufts, GW, and Georgetown
Have you been admitted by both? If not, apply to both, and wait to see whether you are admitted with an affordable financial aid package by both. This whole question could be moot.