<p>Hey guys, I'm a transfer student accepted to both Wash U St. Louis and GWU. I've already committed to Wash U due to the deadline, but I am still debating GW as I was just accepted today. </p>
<p>The city is very important to me and I know DC is more attractive than St. Louis, but this isn't the only factor in my decision. I am also concerned with my quality of education. I am not looking into Business or Pre-med which is what WUSTL is famous for. I am interested in Communications and international relations. Does anyone know how GW matches up to Wash U on that?</p>
<p>Just any other input that can help finalize my decision would be great. I want to get involved in internships too, so career services are also very important. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi again and congrats on another transfer acceptance. Since I thought you were unlikely to get a ton of replies at this time of year I thought I’d give you my 2 cents. Based on my kids’ grad school and job search experiences and many of their friends, the truth is assertive pro-active students who are relentless in networking are much more successful in getting internships and jobs no matter how highly ranked the school is. Wherever you go, your focus in the fall should be getting a great internship for the summer. A strong Alumni network can be huge, but honestly neither GW nor WashU has that. In general, few people would recommend turning down WashU with its well respected academics, financial strength and satisfied student body for a mid-tier school without a compelling hook, like money, a special program, etc. While GW is undoubtedly a very good school, I’m not sure it falls in that category for a transfer student. Neither are really known for their communications or IR programs, especially compared to their respective peers ( like Cornell, Georgetown, USC Annenberg Syracuse), but rankings and reviews mean nothing if you aren’t in the environment that will encourage you to successfully follow your passions. If I were you I would take the time to look at the course selections, class sizes, major availability & requirements in those fields. I’d even look up some professor’s bios. Communications is vey broad - do you mean marketing, journalism, political polling, advertising, human resources. International Relations - do you want to be a policy wonk, a hill staffer? GW’s Elliot School has many supporters and an impressive curriculum, albeit with a lot of requirements that may or may not appeal to you. WashU has a sophomore seminar on globalization discontent - sounds like a perfect interview/essay topic for an internship. Wash U does have a program where you spend a semester in DC. However, the course selections interesting to you may be lacking.Many Wash U and other students get DC internships without going to school there. GW has mostly professors who are working professionals - students who graduated there told me that sounded great at the beginning, but ended up resulting in minimal teaching which got frustrating. Finally, and hopefully CCers won’t behead me for this, the student population is going to be quite different- I suspect at WashU you will have a majority of super driven high achievers who did not even consider applying to GW, whereas the GW students will be more balanced among academics, parting, attracted to DC environment, etc. Maybe your best bet is to stay at your current school one more year to find out what you really want to do than seek the school with the best curriculum. Also, to move up the ladder, grad school may be in your future. For that I would say WashU will open more upper echelon doors. Hope these ramblings help. </p>
<p>Thank you for your input! Staying at my current institution is definitely not an option. (I’m leaving for a reason!) I decided on Wash U and I am completely confident in my decision. :D</p>
<p>@Sammvp1 - Also don’t forget that lots of politics are local. Even though it might not be international in nature, if you can score an internship within the local politics of St. Louis or the state of Missouri (or back in your home area if you are back there for the summer) it will still make a good impression as you move forward. Also, I imagine there is some kind of international trade organization based in St. Louis. That would be another place to look. Just some thoughts.</p>
<p>@fallenchemist - that is really great advice, and very true.
@ Sammy - no offense, but if you are confident in your decision: 1) you are probably the only teenager on CC in that position and 2) why are you posting the question? I do think there is merit in examining the school’s offerings.</p>
<p>@2cents4u - Thanks for the compliment.</p>
<p>Actually, I know a ton of students that are very confident in their decisions. A few may have misplaced confidence 
, but most have done their research, visited the schools, etc. and are very happy with their decision. Now most are nervous about going to college, but that is a different thing. Also, sammvp has had a few days between his first post and second, I often settle my mind on something after a few hours of thought, let alone a few days. Maybe he took those few days to examine the schools’ offerings. Plus in his case (assuming male) he is a transfer, so at least he knows something about what college life is like, presumably. Hard to say without knowing the situation he is coming from.</p>
<p>@fallenchemist you are exactly correct in your analysis. I have had time to weigh the pros and cons of each school. I also know exactly what I am looking for in terms of a college, it was just a question of what I was going to be giving and taking between both WUSTL and GWU. WUSTL is absolutely the school for me. </p>
<p>Side note… I’m a female :)</p>
<p>@Sammvp1 - Oh well, I had a 50-50 shot. Actually, given the national statistics that about 56% of college students are female, I really should default to that first. Hadn’t thought about it until now.</p>
<p>Both schools are great, I know them both but know WUSTL better. I am sure you will be very happy there and do great. It is really a top tier school. That is also quite an achievement to get in as a transfer. Tough to do, even harder than getting in as a freshman, I think. Congrats on that.</p>