<p>Hello, I've recently been accepted to both of these amazing schools and have a decision to make by May 1st. Financial aid is generous from both schools and is approximately the same amount. I have visited both campuses but unfortunately both were closed because of spring break. I thought the Penn campus was beautiful but thought Georgetown was a bit small for my taste nevertheless that is a trivial issue. I'd like opinions on some aspects of each school:
1. International Relations Program- I want to study International Relations or perhaps International Culture and Politics at Georgetown. How do the programs differ? Which would you say is better? Is there a core curriculum? What is the work load like in these majors?</p>
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<li><p>Student Life- I know Penn is a somewhat party school and called the social ivy but how does Georgetown compare? I know it does not have any Greek life but is it still easy to get involved? Also, I am not a huge partier and definitely not opposed to it but Georgetown may be a better fit in this aspect since it appears a bit more conservative. I am a VERY outgoing person and usually make friends pretty easily so I am not worried about that, just more about the party scene. Don't get me wrong, I still love to have fun.</p></li>
<li><p>Philadelphia vs. D.C.- I absolutely love D.C., we've visited it several times and have friends there. It is a very pretty city with a lot going on whereas I feel Philadelphia wasn't so pretty or clean. Also I realize D.C. perhaps is a more globally connected city that may be beneficial in my field providing internships/connections.</p></li>
<li><p>Study Abroad- I am determined to study abroad during my college career since I love to travel and I love interacting with other cultures and meeting new people. I know both schools have vast study abroad programs and both transfer financial aid to study abroad endeavors. I was interested in a program at Penn called IHP: Cities in the 21st Century where you traveled to four cities in four months. I would just like more insight about these programs and perhaps international internship possibilities. </p></li>
<li><p>Student Help- With this I am referring to professor accessibility, tutors, and other outreach programs like peer editing or things to help students who need help in a particular subject. Which school has a stronger outreach?</p></li>
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<p>All in all I love both of these schools and at one time or another they were both my top choice. Up until recently I was leaning toward Penn and almost sure about going there until I attended the Georgetown admitted students dinner; I further examined Georgetown and discovered my love for D.C. and its opportunities and learned that the SFS is really the best for what I want to study even if it is not Ivy. I'd love input and help, thanks! I may have more questions but this is all I can think about at the moment. I have to make a decision in 12 days so please help!</p>
<p>As I’ve mentioned to others, Penn is 100% grants, if that matters to you. If Georgetown isn’t, the comparison is rather easy in a financial sense.</p>
<p>My sense is that Georgetown is more truly urban, and Penn has more of a campus yet within a city. </p>
<p>Then again, I know someone on the Penn waitlist, so …</p>
<p>Well I’d have to pay about $3,100 at Penn and $5,000 at Georgetown + a $500.00 loan. So that’s why I said the financial aid is about the same and therefore it does not play a big role in my decision. Thanks though.</p>
<p>Is your Georgetown funding F/A or Scholarship? If it is scholarship, is it guaranteed renewable for all four years, and is there a GPA minimum requirement to keep it? </p>
<p>As far as social life, I know people who go to both schools and seem to have an active social life both on campus and in the city. </p>
<p>Judging by the amount of aid you received from Penn, I am guessing money will be tight. DC will be more expensive and it will be harder to move off campus. Also, the area around Penn is a lot more affordable than the area around Georgetown, for apartments, restaurants, bars etc. </p>
<p>I think Penn is a much stronger university overall than Georgetown. In regards to the social scene, I don’t think Georgetown students party any less than students do at Penn. If you are looking for a social scene less focused on partying, the University of Chicago or Johns Hopkins would be much better examples.</p>
<p>Georgetown’s strength is definitely in SFS, but I feel that you could get many of the same opportunities provided by SFS at Penn in addition to a lot of opportunities that may not be available at Georgetown.</p>
<p>In regards to Professor accessibility at Penn, my professors have always been very accessible in all of my course. In my department specifically I am close with several professors who have been great mentors for my four years here.</p>
<p>@parentofpeople yeah my financial aid includes scholarships: like a GU one then a 1789 scholarship along with work study and a $500 subsidized loan. All in all I would have to pay back $3,100 to Penn and $5,100 + $500 loan to Georgetown. So it’s not a huge difference. So are you saying most students live off campus after freshman year at these schools? I was hoping to stay on campus all four years although I know only three are guaranteed at Georgetown. </p>
<p>@Poeme Honestly, I am not super worried about the social scene I just want to make sure you don’t always have to be partying to have fun and that there are a few people who don’t go to every party.
May I ask what you are studying at Penn? How is the work load? Do you ever get to sleep? hehe</p>
<p>@Txrunner I am not an expert on where everyone lives, but the people I know who have gone to both of those schools eventually moved off campus. I know at Penn you can live on campus all four years if you choose to, but I don’t know if housing is guaranteed. I don’t know what the options are at GT. What I am saying is that this is an issue that you should look closely at because it will financially come into play over the next four years and is an important factor for you to consider when making your decision.</p>
<p>Regarding the scholarship vs. FA issue, that is also something you have to carefully consider when comparing true cost. If your families financial situation changes, so will your FA at both schools. For example do you have another sibling currently attending private HS or another university? Will you over the next four years? If the scholarship has a minimum GPA to keep it, and you don’t achieve that GPA will you be able to afford GT? </p>
<p>Purely from a financial point, it seems like Penn might be a better choice, but that is up to you. I am speaking as someone who also had to carefully consider the financial aspect, so consider my advice biased. </p>
<p>@TXrunnner, the workload is highly dependent on both your major and the courses you choose. I majored in physics and have taken most of the hardest courses in the department, so for me the workload was pretty heavy by choice. I spent most of my time at Penn on academics and research instead of participating in clubs and am perfectly happy with my choice. Other people choose to be more involved on campus at the expense of something else. So overall both the academic and extracurricular loads are very independent on the particular person. That being said, there are most definitely majors that are more intense than others in terms of coursework and the people they attract.</p>
<p>I definitely party less than the average student at Penn and I have gotten along fine. It gets hard the year before you turn 21 however since if you are not into that downtown scene (have a fake) things get a bit boring. Once we turned 21 though its been better since my friends and I can go to nice bars/restaurants and maybe hang out at someones place and drink wine.</p>
<p>Penn will be the more purely academic of the two. SFS will provide a more pragmatic track. Lots of adjuncts in use with more real life experience, less academic publishing/research. Classes at SFS will be larger, resources less deep. D.C. is a gold mine of school year internship and work opportunities in the field. Campus at Georgetown smaller but stretches into surrounding environs with fewer of the safety concerns surrounding Penn. Wouldn’t underestimate Philly though. Still fun town for college. Both are great choices. Sounds like Georgetown feels a better fit. If so, go with it (and don’t give rankings a second thought with SFS in the equation).</p>
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