<p>I posted this on Georgetown but I'm trying to compare these answers to WASHU and the second half of the post has some other questions/thoughts as well...</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about SFS' campus in Doha, Qatar? I applied when I was applying to SFS in DC and found out yesterday that I got in with $30,000 in merit aid. Though I probably won't need to, I can also apply for no-interest loans to cover the rest.</p>
<p>Has anyone been there? What is the campus like? The people? They are flying me out next for the GAAP weekend there next Sat . (!!!) so I can see the place before deciding but does anyone here know anything? </p>
<p>I know the campus in Qatar is new (2005ish) so most people don't know about it and it shares it with Cornell Medical, A&M Engineering, Northwestern Journalism, VCU Fine Arts, ... So basically the best department for each field in one city in the mideast. </p>
<p>Though I obviously would like to go to the one in DC, their aid is (again) nonexistent and doesn't offer merit aid. Though the mideast would be a HUGE change, I don't think I would be in for a crazy culture shock because I've travelled Saudi, Jordan, and Pakistan numerous times. Also, Doha is like 85% expatriates from all of these embassies so I think the
international experience would be equal to (if not better) than that in DC. Plus classes are SMALL though the campus is alright-sized because of the other schools' students. They have free service learning trips to China, Palestine/Israel, etc. A lot of money. More opportunity for leadership roles. Plus, wikipage says that it's acceptance rate two years ago was 1% (3,000 ish applicants for 50 seats). Should I go? </p>
<p>The other option would be UVa (close to young siblings whose lives I want to be a part of) and WashU (where I have full tuition and stipend). There's DC too who added 3,000 to their package this week but is still MUCH more expensive than the other options.</p>
<p>I'm basically deciding between WashU and Georgetown-Qatar though. I'm not sure if going to Qatar would be too extreme (?) and my concerns are that even though the degree is exactly the same as the one for SFS DC, there might be a stigma of going to university abroad if I want to come back and immerse myself in national instead of international politics. Would that be true? WashU seems fine. I love the scholarship program but I kind of feel like I would go there because I feel attached to the scholarship, not the school. Idk if that's significant but I can imagine myself in a GEORGETOWN sweatshirt more than a WUSTL one. Should loyalty be a factor? Also, WashU's polisci department is ranked 1 for undergrad on their website - I can't find this anywhere else though - but I'm not sure of the international factor. Are there international opportunities in St. Louis?
Is the department there worldy? I feel like the DC and Qatar faculty would be more worldly/open-minded.</p>
<p>Advice would be EXTREMEMLY appreciated. I am SO confused right now.</p>