So as the title says, the University of Chicago, Georgetown School of Foreign Service, and University of California Berkeley are my top three choices right now (gotta make my decision in less than a month, AAAAHHH). I’m looking to major in poli sci or public policy, possibly go onto law school after undergrad.
I wouldn’t be considering UCBerkeley except that they’re giving me the Regents’ and Chancellors’ Scholarship and it would be in-state tuition, so much cheaper (my parents would prefer if I go to UCB).
In terms of school life/culture, I think I could fit in at either Georgetown or Chicago, but I am at least a bit concerned about the stereotypes about both places: that there are a lot of obnoxious preppy Georgetown kids and that there are a lot of weird maybe too nerdy Chicago kids. At this point in my life I would probably say I am more similar to a Chicago kid in that I enjoy intellectual discussion and am not terribly interested in sports, but I am definitely extroverted and am a social guy.
So far the indication I’ve gotten is that Georgetown, especially SFS, is a kind of pre-professional education, and getting internships and job offers is very important there. At Chicago, it seems like its very focussed on learning for the sake of learning, and that you are shunted more towards grad school or academia than a career.
I guess based on the limited info I’ve provided, does anyone have any opinions on which choice I should make? Leaning more towards Chicago and Georgetown over UCB at this point. My main concerns would be placement at law school, ability to get a job after graduating, having an enjoyable or at least bearable time (I’ve heard that some people actually hate Chicago, while I haven’t heard that about Georgetown). Thanks!
OP pick the the best fit. All are good schools. I think SFS and Chicago are better than UCB for the field you wish to study. You choice will not impact your ability to go to law school. All law schools care about are grades and LSAT scores. All are good conduits to good law schools. If weather is more important, UCB is better. IF social life is important go to UCB or GU. IF intellectual environment is more desirable go to Chicago and secondly GU (the joke here is that UofC is the place where fun goes to die). If you want a large campus go to UCB. IF you want a small to mid-size school go to Chicago or GU. If you want big time college sports go to UCB (although GU’s basketball team is bigtime). IF money is important choose UCB. If being close to government internships is important, clearly choose GU.
I can understand your dilemma, but I can offer some insight. I went to high school in Northern California. I went to GU (not SFS, but my wife was SFS). My wife and I are both went to top law schools. Finally I have lived in Chicago for over 30 years and know the city and UofC well.
SFS is really the place to be if you are interested in foreign service or IR. Doesn’t sound like that is your focus, but you can certainly get to law school from there. Who will pay for law school? UCB might be your best choice, especially if your parents will offer up the cost difference toward law school.
I think that overall, for undergrad education – looking at just the quality of academics and nothing else:
Chicago = Berkeley > Georgetown
Tidbits:
Chicago and Georgetown, of course, offer smaller classes and more personal attention than Cal, though that gap lessens when you get into your major.
SFS at Georgetown is outstanding. If you wanted a career in the foreign service, there’s no better place. Obviously anything Poli Sci/Gov’t-related will be outstanding there too. They are strong in some other areas, just maybe not quite as stellar as Cal or Chicago.
Chicago will be colder and windier than DC or the Bay Area.
Building on that last point, In my view, quality of undergrad education:
Chicago > Georgetown > Berkeley
(Now when it comes to grad school, I’d switch it: Chicago > UCB > Georgetown)
If you are definitely that your ultimate goal is the foreign service, then pick Georgetown.
If you're not sure, maybe you'll go to law school, and if you want the best overall undergrad experience (and an amazing intellectual setting/education), pick Chicago.
For government/poli sci, SFS is pretty much #1 in the country with Princeton. Their graduates get special training to pass the foreign service exam, thus getting a HUGE leg up compared to other applicants, and the location in DC offers many more opportunities in the national political field. Their success in law school admission as well as anything related to banking makes them an easy choice if the money’s right.
The key element is that Georgetown is going to be very expensive compared to UCB with Regents/Chancellors. Can your parents afford GU?
Thanks for all the advice so far! I appreciate the help.
To answer some questions in regards to finances: my parents would definitely prefer if I went to Berkeley based on cost, but they’ve both said that they would “support” my decision whichever way I choose. My family is fairly wealthy and they will pay for my college, but they expect me to pay them back when I get the money to do so.
All three of these schools are fine for pre-law. BUT…Poli sci? SFS is the Harvard-MIT of poli sci. SFS also gets you on Wall Street if you change your mind about going into law school.
The latter part implies that they may not be as wealthy as you think they are, and that they may be depending on you to refill their retirement money after spending it on your college.
Being $120,000 in debt (even to your parents) is not a comforting thought; being $260,000 in debt would probably be pretty scary for both you and them if you and they think about it.