Vassar, Carleton, Grinnell, or Wesleyan for International Relations Major?

College Search & Selection
1

So as the discussion title suggests, which of these great LACs offers the best opportunities for a prospective international relations major? I was hoping this discussion can solely focus on the opportunities each of these schools have in regards to this ONLY.

Thanks in advance.

2

Tbh, none of them. Of course, it depends somewhat on what you want to do in IR, but none of them will have the strength of (say) GW, which is on your other thread. While you will get a fine education at any one of those 4, and can do stints DC or other international cities with any of them, they simply don’t have the same resources to offer great opportunities as (say) GW, Georgetown, American, Tufts, Johns Hopkins or NYU (or HYPSCD)

Also, you might consider some of the international programs (such as the international campuses of NYU), or going all the way abroad. For example, you would have a very strong shot at the highly ranked University of Edinburgh.

If I had to pick one, I guess I would pick Vassar, b/c a) it has a lot of flexibility and emphasizes the ‘international’ part (v being a variant of polisci) and b) it is at least near NY, so you would have some access to a place where IR things actually happen. Second choice would be Carleton, b/c it is at least it’s own track w/in polisci.

3

Well I didn’t apply to those schools, so how about we look at the benefits of the schools I LISTED.

4

Your original post did not specify that you HAD ALREADY BEEN ACCEPTED to these schools so please cut @collegemom3717 a break. She TOOK THE TIME to answer your posting.

FWIW this is my opinion: Decline Grinnell (it’s a great school, but located too far away from the off-campus opportunities you need). For the other three, take the next month, go to campus, talk to IR majors and professors (talk to the language people, too). Ask admissions to put you into contact with an alum in the field. A degree from any of those 4 schools will open a lot of doors for you. Kofi Annan went to Macalester, and he did fine in international relations! Good luck with your decision, you have some great choices.