<p>As I'm starting to get acceptences, its becoming difficult for me to decide what shools I prefer over others. I'm a pretty social, athletic kid who wants to have an active social life in college, but I'm also intellectual. I was just wondering if anyone could give me a little insight into the differences between any of the following schools; Stanford, University of Virginia, Georgetown (Walsh School), UPenn, and Northwestern. Btw I'm probably studying international relations/politics and plan on going to grad school. Thanks!</p>
<p>honestly, if you’re studying IR and politics, georgetown would probably be the best</p>
<p>Stanford University</p>
<p>Academics</p>
<p>“Students insist that Stanford is “the most amazing school in the country, with a great mix of academics, athletics, and weather,” and it’s hard to argue with them. The school really does offer it all to the laid-back-but-ambitious crowd lucky enough to receive an invite to attend; as one student puts it, “Stanford essentially disproves the theorem that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Undergrads here “can and are able to do so much.” Take, for example, the anthropology major who reported “great opportunities such as researching over the summer in the Peruvian Amazon and working with the Center for Ecotourism and Sustainable Development to create a network of indigenous leaders interested in ecotourism.” Or the myriad super-curious here who extol “the many interdisciplinary majors: human biology; history, literature, and the arts; materials science and engineering; symbolic systems; science technology and society; public policy; modern thought and literature; urban studies… It’s amazing how many different fields you can combine.” And perhaps best of all, “There is not any counter productive cut-throat competition. Staff and students are all very supportive of each other, and it’s really an environment where you can explore and succeed.””</p>
<p>Student Body</p>
<p>“Stanford undergrads describe each other in terms so rapturous it makes one wonder whether there isn’t something a little funny about the campus water supply. These “ambitions, driven, and incredibly intelligent” people include every form of high achiever; writes one, “I have been fortunate enough to meet a professional cartoonist, several Olympic athletes, an international math Olympiad participant, a professional rapper, a concert violinist, an equestrian champion, a national rugby champion, and so many other talented people just in my 89-person dorm. There are people who have run with the bulls in Pamplona, ski race every weekend, have written published books, and that ever-elusive person who actually won the national science fair in eighth grade.” The vibe is “definitely chill…. There isn’t any of the East Coast snobbery/aristocracy here that I picture at the Ivies.” Is there anything negative one can say about these people? “There are barely any fat people,” one student offers. Ah ha, but there are some. That will likely have to do.”</p>
<p>Campus Life</p>
<p>““Everyone studies all the time, and a lot of people work and are involved with extracurriculars” at Stanford. They also “work out and volunteer. Basically, people try to be perfect.” The school “offers so many extracurriculars that it’s impossible for students to not be involved and feel welcome,” helping to “offset academic stresses” that can be considerable, especially for engineers and premeds. Indeed, “It would be easy to be at Stanford, not take classes and still be busy. There is always something going on: theater performances, a cappella concerts, small-scale concerts every Thursday, major concerts at least once a year, row house parties every weekend…. It’s possible to go out Wednesday through Saturday night.” Day to day life here “revolves around the amazing sense of dorm community and the great athletic teams.” Stanford prides itself on its robust intercollegiate athletic programs, and “Everyone at Stanford lives and breathes Cardinal red.” Residential choices “vary. You can live in a great Row House with a huge room and a private chef, or a one-room double in a dorm with awful food. There are a lot of options: dorms, houses, co-ops, apartments, and suites.” Students generally avoid Palo Alto (“It’s soooo expensive!”), but do find the cash to visit equally pricey San Francisco when their schedules permit.”</p>
<p>University Of Virginia</p>
<p>Academics</p>
<p>“It’s all about balance at the University of Virginia: The balance “between public and private, large research university and small liberal arts college, tradition and progress, and work and play.” Here at “Mr. Jefferson’s University” the influence of the school’s founder is paramount; the school “promotes a Jeffersonian spirit of learning in various aspects of student life,” and this creates a cohesive community. In the spirit of one of democracy’s greatest proponents, “a surprising amount of the school’s administration is left to the students. For example, I think in the 1990s students lobbied for more study space, so Clemons Library was born. Also, honor code offenses and the like are handled by student-run bodies.” Academically, UVA “demands a lot [from] students. Expectations of hard work—much less excellence—are high. If you do not study or do work outside of class, you will fall behind fast.” In return for their hard work, undergrads gain access to “unlimited opportunity for hands-on experience. Study abroad and research opportunities are encouraged, and funding is always available. And you can tailor your courses to desired interests.” Students particularly appreciate that these perks come at a public-school price. Standout programs include premedical study, business, politics, architecture (Jefferson’s influence again!), environmental science, and biomedical engineering.”</p>
<p>Student Body</p>
<p>“UVA is “a place where smart kids get together and are excited about learning. That doesn’t mean it’s a bunch of nerds, however. The intelligence of the average UVA student is masked under cheering at football games, drinking at parties, working out, and doing whatever else we find fun. Being smart is just an accepted fact here. We do our work [and] then go party.” One undergrad remarks, “There is no typical student. The campus is big enough that there are lots of people you don’t know, but you can [also] run into friends constantly. There’s a strong Greek presence, so the typical student might be classified as preppy. There are a lot of average, blend-in type of students, as well, and lots of athletes.” While one student warns potential undergrads not to “expect their lavish dream of collegiate social diversity to play out on UVA’s campus,” most agree that “because of the wide range of groups on grounds, all students are able to find their niche, and there are a lot of niches at UVA. You’re pretty much guaranteed not to be the only person around who has a particular interest, hobby, or belief. That’s the blessing of a big school.””</p>
<p>Campus Life</p>
<p>“Students at UVA are “very serious about academics and research, but also very much into extracurriculars and social life.” Greek organizations “are huge at UVA,” and Greek parties are the destination of choice for most freshmen and sophomores. Third- and fourth-years, on the other hand, “usually go to the bars located on the corner” when they want a little weekend rest and relaxation. There are also plenty of other options available; downtown Charlottesville “offers a wealth of opportunities, ranging from movies to concerts to shopping.” Many students immerse themselves in student governance, which “permeates everything from the Resident Staff program to intramural sports to every club, publication, and organization. Students have the power to decide what gets done, and are challenged to make UVA a better place for having them as students.” There’s also UVA football, for which the campus basically grinds to a halt; one student explains, “Game day is devoted to dressing up, pre-game socializing, going to the game to socialize, and then after-game parties.” Students also love to take advantage of the many options offered by the Shenandoah Valley, including “apple-picking at Carter’s Mountain, hiking at Humpback Rock, and taking a Sunday drive around the beautiful surrounding county. Shenandoah National Park is only 30 minutes away from campus and offers a wealth of outdoor activities.” UVA’s grounds—please do not use the term “campus” here—are among the nation’s loveliest.”</p>
<p>Georgetown University</p>
<p>Academics</p>
<p>“This moderately-sized elite academic establishment stays true to its Jesuit foundations by educating its students with the idea of Cura Personalis, or “care for the whole person.” The “well-informed” student body perpetuates upon itself, creating an atmosphere full of vibrant intellectual life, but “also balanced with extra-curricular learning and development.” “Georgetown is…a place where people work very, very hard without feeling like they are in direct competition,” says an international politics major. Located in Washington, D.C., there’s a noted School of Foreign Service here, and the access to internships is a huge perk for those in political or government programs. In addition, the proximity to the nation’s capital fetches “high-profile guest speakers,” with many of the most powerful people in global politics speaking regularly, as well as a large number of adjunct professors who either are currently working in the government as a day job, or have retired from high level positions. Georgetown has on offer a “great selection of very knowledgeable professors, split with a good proportion of those who are experienced in realms outside of academia (such as former government officials) and career academics,” though there are a few superstars who might be “somewhat less than totally collegial.” Professors tend to be “fantastic scholars and teachers” and are “generally available to students,” as well as often being “interested in getting to know you as a person (if you put forth the effort to talk to them and go to office hours).” Though Georgetown has a policy of grade deflation, meaning “A’s are hard to come by,” there are “a ton of interesting courses available” and TAs are used only for optional discussion sessions and help with grading. The academics “can be challenging or they can be not so much (not that they are ever really easy, just easier)”; it all depends on the courses you choose and how much you actually do the work. The school administration is well-meaning and “usually willing to talk and compromise with students,” but the process of planning activities can be full of headaches and bureaucracy, and the administration itself “sometimes is overstretched or has trouble transmitting its message.” Nevertheless, “a motivated student can get done what he or she wants.””</p>
<p>Student Body</p>
<p>“There are “a lot of wealthy students on campus,” and preppy-casual is the fashion de rigueur; this is “definitely not a ‘granola’ school,” but students from diverse backgrounds are typically welcomed by people wanting to learn about different experiences. Indeed, everyone here is well-traveled and well-educated, and there are “a ton of international students.” “You better have at least some interest in politics or you will feel out-of-place,” says a student. The school can also be “a bit cliquish, with athletes at the top,” but there are “plenty of groups for everybody to fit into and find their niche,” and “there is much crossover between groups.”” </p>
<p>Campus Life</p>
<p>“Students are “extremely well aware of the world around them,” from government to environment, social to economic, and “Georgetown is the only place where an argument over politics, history, and philosophy is preceded by a keg stand.” Hoyas like to have a good time on weekends, and parties at campus and off-campus apartments and townhouses “are generally open to all comers and tend to have a somewhat networking atmosphere; meeting people you don’t know is a constant theme.” With such a motivated group on such a high-energy campus, “people are always headed somewhere, it seems—to rehearsal, athletic practice, a guest speaker, to the gym.” Community service and political activism are particularly popular, as is basketball. Everything near Georgetown is in walking distance, including the world of DC’s museums, restaurants, and stores, and “grabbing or ordering late night food is a popular option.””</p>
<p>University Of Pennsylvania</p>
<p>Academics</p>
<p>“At the University of Pennsylvania, everyone shares an intellectual curiosity and top-notch resources, but doesn’t “buy into the stigma of being an Ivy League school.” Still, no one turns down the opportunity to rave about the school’s strong academic reputation or the large alumni network, and students here are also “very passionate about what they do outside the classroom” and the opportunities presented to them through attending UPenn. The university is composed of four undergraduate schools (and “a library for pretty much any topic”), and students tend to focus on what they’ll do with their degree pretty early on. Wharton, UPenn’s “highly competitive undergraduate business school,” creates a “tremendous pre-professional atmosphere” that keeps students competitive and somewhat stressed with their studies during the week, and this “career-oriented” attitude spills over into other factions of the university, leaving some desiring more grounds for creativity and less climbing over each other. “It’s when individuals’ grades are on the line when the claws come out,” says a student. Professors can “sometimes seem to be caught up more in their research than their classes,” but “there are very few other institutions where you can take every one of your classes with a professor who is setting the bar for research in his or her field.” If you are willing to put in the time and effort, your professors “will be happy to reciprocate.” In general, the instructors here are “very challenging academically,” and one student says that “some of them have been excellent, but all of them have at least been good.” The administration is “very professional and efficient” and “truly interested in students’ well being.” “Academically, I have access to opportunities unparalleled elsewhere,” says a student.” </p>
<p>Student Body</p>
<p>“This “determined” bunch is very career-oriented, “take their classes pretty seriously,” leans to the left, and “personality-wise tends to be Type A.” “There is always someone smarter than you are,” says a Chemical Biomolecular Engineering major. Everyone has “a strong sense of personal style and his or her own credo,” but no group deviates too far from the more mainstream stereotypes, and there’s a definite lack of “emos” and hippies. There’s “the Career-driven Wharton kid who will stab you in the back to get your interview slot” and “the Nursing kid who’s practically non-existent,” but on the whole, there is “tremendous school diversity,” and whatever kind of person you are, “you will find a group of people like you.”” </p>
<p>Campus Life</p>
<p>“Penn kids don’t mind getting into intellectual conversations over dinner, but “partying is a much higher priority here than it is at other Ivy League schools.” Many students schedule their classes so as to not have class on Fridays, making the weekend “officially” start on Thursday night, and frat parties and Center City bars and clubs are popular destinations. However, when it comes down to midterms and finals, “people get really serious and…buckle down and study.” Between weekend jaunts to New York and Philadelphia itself (“a city large enough to answer the needs of any type of person”), students have plenty of access to restaurants, shopping, concerts, and sports games, as well as plain old “hanging out with hallmates playing Mario Kart.” The school provides plenty of guest speakers, cultural events, clubs, and organizations for students to channel their energies, and seniors can even attend “Feb Club” in the month of February, which is essentially an event every night. It’s a busy life at UPenn, and “people are constantly trying to think about how they can balance getting good grades academically and their weekend plans.””</p>
<p>Northwestern University</p>
<p>Academics</p>
<p>““The strength of the school is its range,” Northwestern students agree, arguing that their school “has everything”: “Intelligent but laid-back students,” “excel[lence] in so many academic fields,” “great extracurriculars and good parties,” “strong [Big Ten] sports spirit,” and “so many connections and opportunities during and after graduation.” Undergrads here brag of “nationally acclaimed programs for almost anything anyone could be interested in, from engineering to theater to journalism to music,” and report that “everything is given fairly equal weight. Northwestern students and faculty do not show a considerable bias” towards specific fields. The school accomplishes all this while maintaining a manageable scale. While its relatively small size allows for good student-professor interaction, it has “all the perks” of a big school, including “many opportunities” for research and internships. Be aware, however, that “Northwestern is not an easy school; it takes hard work to be average here.” If you “learn from your failures quickly and love to learn for the sake of learning rather than the grade,” students say it is quite possible to stay afloat and even to excel. Helping matters are numerous resources established by administrators and professors, including tutoring programs such as Northwestern’s Gateway Science Workshop. Those who take advantage of these opportunities find the going much easier than those who don’t.”</p>
<p>Student Body</p>
<p>“The typical Northwestern student “was high school class president with a 4.0, swim team captain, and on the chess team.” So it makes sense that everyone here “is an excellent student who works hard” and “has a leadership position in at least two clubs, plus an on-campus job.” Students also tell us that “there’s [a] great separation between North Campus (think: fraternities, engineering, state school mentality) and South Campus (think: closer to Chicago and its culture, arts and letters, liberal arts school mentality). Students segregate themselves depending on background and interests and it’s rare for these two groups to interact beyond a superficial level.” The student body here includes sizeable Jewish, Indian, and East Asian populations.”</p>
<p>Campus Life</p>
<p>“There are two distinct sections of the Northwestern campus. The North Campus is where “You can find a party every night of the week” and “The Greek scene is strong.” The South Campus, about a one-mile trek from the action to the north, is “more artsy and has minimal partying on weeknights,” but is closer to town so “it is easy” to “buy dinner, see a show at the movies, and go shopping. People who live on North Campus have a harder time getting motivated to go into Evanston and tap into all that is offered.” As one South Campus resident puts it, “South Campus is nice and quiet in its own way. I enjoy reading and watching movies here, and the quietude is appreciated when study time rolls around. But for more exciting fun, a trip north is a must.” Regardless of where students live, extracurriculars are “incredible here. There is a group for every interest, and they are amazingly well-managed by students alone. This goes hand-in-hand with how passionate students at Northwestern are about what they love.” Many students “are involved in plays, a cappella groups, comedy troupes, and other organizations geared toward the performing arts. Activism is also very popular, with many involved in political groups, human rights activism, and volunteering.” In addition, Northwestern’s membership in the Big Ten means students “attend some of the best sporting events in the country.” Chicago, of course, “is a wonderful resource. People go into the city for a wide variety of things—daily excursions, jobs, internships, nights out, parties, etc.””</p>
<p>thanks for that but the guidebooks are pretty general, I was wondering if anyone had a more personal view</p>
<p>If you plan on taking the IR/Politics career track seriously, Georgetown would be the absolute best in terms of networking capacity, and that’s besides the fact that the Walsh school simply has the best reputation for IR around. My interviewer for Georgetown used to go to bars with Senators every weekend :O</p>
<p>Penn’s IR program has no graduate component. It is dedicated entirely to serving its undergrads. the program graduates around 80 students a year, and they have been ratcheting up the requirements to get admitted to the major in order to continue driving that number down. It’s not exactly as hard as getting into Princeton’s Woody Woo program, but it is serious enough to deter most of the students who are not academically serious enough (they go to major in Poli sci with an IR concentration–which has fewer pre-reqs, a lower GPA requirement, and does not require a year-long 70-120 page thesis as does the IR major).</p>
<p>In terms of “pure” theory, your best bet would be Stanford (and Columbia but that’s not on your list). In terms of real-world diplomatic experience, that would be Georgetown (it’s frickin’ staffed with government officials, and that’s hard to beat).</p>
<p>Where Penn’s IR excels is in history (McDougall! <3), economics, military studies (thank you Arthur Waldron), and IR as it relates to the private sector (thank you Wharton courses in international management and finance! Anyone who thinks business has no relation to the study of international relations clearly hasn’t been thinking very hard)</p>
<p>That’s academics.</p>
<p>Socially Penn is pretty great too, as no small number of its students and alumni will attest…</p>
<p>All of course are phenomenal schools and to be admitted to any of them is a great achievement and an honor.</p>