<p>Hi everyone. College decision making is here and I would love to have your feedback on these three universities. I want to major in International Relations, I'm more of the activist-humanities type of person, and I would love to work in an NGO or something of the sort in the future. </p>
<p>Which of these three universities is the best in IR? I would appreciate any opinions or comparisons.</p>
<p>Thank you so much in advance!</p>
<p>ill be at uchicago in the fall, bug I have to say that tufts ir is best by far!</p>
<p>Why do you say Tufts is better??</p>
<p>As a Penn IR major I loved the program and think it is fantastic, and its place at a phenomenally interdisciplinary school like Penn gives it advantages in breadth of IR-related academic opportunities that other schools just can’t match.</p>
<p>Just off the top of my head, there are relevant courses in international business/management/finance in the Wharton school, courses on international law in the Law school, int’l/developing world education in the Education school, more such courses in the Social Policy & Practice school…other schools either don’t even have these schools or don’t allow undergrads to enroll in them.</p>
<p>For someone looking to be in the humanities/activist side, these classes could have greater impact on your plans than the traditional polisci sort of stuff.</p>
<p>Penn definitely has the strongest IR program of the three. UChicago is good in econ. With Penn and UChicago, why is tufts still on your list?</p>
<p>Thank you so much ilovebagels! I really appreciate your opinion. And astonmartinDBS, I guess I was saving Tufts because of its Peace and Justice Studies program, but after listening to several people I guess UPenn is much better by far. Thanks!</p>
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<p>Umm…with all due respect…what?? This is blatantly wrong.</p>
<p>Top 10 International Relations Schools for Policy Careers:</p>
<ol>
<li>Johns Hopkins University</li>
<li>Georgetown University</li>
<li>Harvard University</li>
<li>Tufts University</li>
<li>Columbia University</li>
<li>Princeton University</li>
<li>George Washington University</li>
<li>American University</li>
<li>Syracuse University</li>
<li>University of California, San Diego </li>
</ol>
<p>Here is the link to a thread on IR programs: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/tufts-university/700746-rankings-undergraduate-ir-programs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/tufts-university/700746-rankings-undergraduate-ir-programs.html</a></p>
<p>Penn doesn’t have a renowned IR program, especially not one that is ranked with the likes of Georgetown, JHU, Tufts, and Columbia (and Princeton and Harvard).</p>
<p>Tufts is the best, in my opinion for IR. The Fletcher school anyone? That’s the oldest graduate school for IR (and it’s on the main campus at Tufts). Undergraduates can take classes at Fletcher. Fletcher is actually the big reason the undergraduate IR is good (trickle down effect of sorts). Typically when you hear about IR schools, the big ones are (in no particular order): Georgetown, Harvard, Tufts, Princeton, and JHU.</p>
<p>Not to say that U of Chicago or Upenn aren’t good (they are great!). But for IR, Tufts is arguably more recognized in this field.</p>
<p>At some point, you’re going to have to choose between generalist quality (Chicago, Penn) vs. specialist quality (Tufts). Would you rather have more quality options available at any given time at school, or would you prefer more quality within a specific field? How risk-averse are you? How would you deal with changing your major/interests?</p>
<p>It also depends what other majors you might be considering or what subjects you prefer. Tufts and Penn both excel in the sciences and pre-med track, while Chicago would be a better choice for the humanities.</p>
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<p>As I said, for those who want to do something else than policy for their career (which is ultimately going to be the vast majority of them), Penn’s breath gives it the edge for most (but not all) undergraduates looking for an IR degree.</p>
<p>Ummm. It’s not like U of Chicago and Tufts don’t offer good options. Like, Tufts isn’t just good in IR. pre-vet, pre-dental, pre-med, and nutrition ring a bell? (Or that they can mix these things with IR…like nutrition policy or whatever). Same thing with engineering leadership or economic development. I mean, you can take classes at the Fletcher school and that does have international business classes (and multinational corporation, economic development, etc. classes are offered not just at Fletcher but at the undergraduate level too).</p>
<p>U of Chicago obviously has economics and humanities down. And physics and astronomy! And obviously offers a solid foundation in business or whatever just like Penn. </p>
<p>I don’t think Penn is unique in this regard. I think every top school has this quality.</p>
<p>But again, all three are TOP schools. So go with whatever fits you best.</p>
<p>I mean, Goldman Sachs and Google don’t just recruit at Upenn, but also at Tufts and I am sure at U of Chicago.</p>
<p>Hi krasol, right now I’m deciding between UPenn and Tufts for International Relations. I’m also into the activist-humanities type stuff, and I’m wondering which school you ended up choosing. I appreciate other opinions as well!</p>
<p>OP, have you visited all three?</p>
<p>D1 is a Tufts Comp Sci sophomore with very strong interests in IR. She’s had some amazing experiences and opportunities at Tufts. As noted above, undergrads are able to enroll in Fletcher School graduate level courses. There’s also the Institute for Global Leadership, which offers courses, seminars, and the unique EPIIC, a year-long undergraduate course which examines a topic of global import. The fall semester is spent doing in-depth reading and listening to a who’s who of speakers brought to campus; spring semester features a week-long symposium on the topic, planned by the EPIIC students. [Colloquium</a> | Tuftsgloballeadership](<a href=“http://www.tuftsgloballeadership.org/colloquium/2013]Colloquium”>Colloquium | Tufts Global Leadership) Between the IR department and the IGL there are a large number of opportunities (often funded by the university) to engage in overseas research and/or internships, including work with NGOs. </p>
<p>I can’t speak to the IR program offerings at Penn or Chicago, but in terms of hands-on IR opportunities, Tufts will offer you a rich banquet of possibilities. :)</p>
<p>Best of luck with your decision–three wonderful schools.</p>
<p>According to foreignpolicy.com, the top schools for IR are:
<p>These are all excellent schools that will meet all of your needs!
Instead of listening to people split hairs over rankings and prestige, please try to visit all three and go with your gut instinct and heart. The locations, atmospheres and student bodies are different - just pick the one you LIKE the best!
I’m predicting Tufts might win in the end due to its great location, and activist minded yet fun-loving student body 
Check out some of the blogs from students, or the admissions office -
[Jumbo</a> Talk · Tufts University Admissions Department](<a href=“Jumbo Talk | Tufts Admissions”>Jumbo Talk | Tufts Admissions)
[The</a> Admitted Student’s Guide to 2017 · Inside Admissions · Tufts University Admissions Department](<a href=“http://admissions.tufts.edu/blogs/inside-admissions/post/the-admitted-students-guide-to-2017/]The”>http://admissions.tufts.edu/blogs/inside-admissions/post/the-admitted-students-guide-to-2017/)
Or click on the slide show entries on the main admissions page, some of them are videos [Tufts</a> University Admissions Department](<a href=“http://admissions.tufts.edu/]Tufts”>http://admissions.tufts.edu/)</p>
<p>Hey! I ended up choosing Penn and it was the best decision I could have made. At the time, I was so undecided between UChicago and Penn that I almost flipped a coin, but I have been continuously surprised with how amazing and diverse Penn is. There is something here for everyone and if you are into International Relations and Political Science, the department here is FANTASTIC. You can decide how flexible you want your curriculum to be and choose IR, Political Science, or PPE as a major. I don’t know if you have any specific questions, but I can only tell you Penn is really amazing.</p>
<p>Whoops, caught by a zombie thread!</p>
<p>OP, glad you’re happy with your choice.</p>
<p>Oh, woah, I guess I missed the date as well. I’m glad you’re happy at UPenn.</p>
<p>Tufts doesn’t compare to Chicago or Penn so I would take that off your list.</p>
<p>Between Chicago or Penn, it is a bit of a toss up but I would go to Penn. It is Ivy and has a fantastic name. Chicago is very good too, but I’d lean towards Penn.</p>