Schools: George Washington University vs. Rhodes College vs. Lake Forest College
Intended major: International Relations, Security Studies
Intended Career Path(s): Government (Foreign service, intelligence analysis, or security) or International Law. If the former, definitely specializing in post-Soviet sphere, in particular Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and Russia. If the latter, more of a focus on international corporate law, in particular US investments in Western, Central, & Eastern Europe
Personal Values: Quality of professors, research opportunities, access to internships & networking across borders, quality of language, polisci, and history deps, and finances.
Things that are not too important for me: Campus vibe, Greek Life, Climate and Geography
#George Washington University vs. Rhodes College vs. Lake Forest College
weary crater
School #1: George Washington University
School 1 Pros:
• Literally fell in love with the school in Jan 2021, was basically my dream school since the day I found it and lowkey hoped I would get rejected by Ivies just to go here
• Accepted into top-10 International Affairs program in the nation within Elliott School
• In the heart of DC, with year-round internship opportunities
• Professors with actual experience in IR, diplomacy, security, intl law
• Greek Life is not a big thing, as is school spirit (I DETEST school spirit as a concept)
• As of 2022 has 5th best Model UN Team in the US
• Got over $40k in scholarships
• Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies as of 2020 ranked #1 University Affiliated Regional Studies Center in the US
School 1 Cons:
• Dormitories seem kinda suspicious ngl, the black mold problem from 2021 kinda eeks me out
• COA still about $32k after loans. Family willing and enthusiastic to pay but am personally scared of putting such a burden on them + myself.
• Washington, DC is super expensive to live in, especially with the GWorld dining system that is hopefully getting phased out for actual on campus dining
• Worries about class and lecture sizes. I’m OK with large classes, but I’m just anxious it will impact learning if I have to go to my classes and we’re all packed like sardines with little opportunity to participate actively in class and actually gain an understanding of material.
• Ranking is #63 in National Unis on US News, which is good but a bit worrying that it’s not “prestigious”.
School #2: Rhodes College
School 2 Pros:
• Liberal Arts College in an Urban Setting
• Small class sizes, with generally highly rated professors
• Affordable: $21k per year, after loans.
• Ability to take a semester or 2 in DC to get experience and learn via American and Georgetown.
• Super pretty campus.
School 2 Cons:
• Living in the South – I am LGBTQ, which presents especial worries of bigotry and discrimination
• Internship Opportunities in Memphis uncertain.
• Nowhere near actual constant exposure to international affairs and national centers of power.
• Although it is #54 in National Liberal Arts Colleges, I’m worried that it’s not a very good school on a resume, as I feel like it’s not too well known.
School #3: Lake Forest College
School 3 Pros:
• Full ride with scholarships and grants.
• Small class sizes.
• By Chicago (good for political science purposes and internships) and within transport distance to the Ukrainian Village
School 3 Cons:
• Academic rigor unclear from current students I’ve spoken to
• Not very well known
• Like Rhodes, nowhere near centers of national and international power, making my overall career path more difficult unless I go into Law.
• Still a considerable distance away from Chicago, and general anxieties about Chicago’s crime rates
Basically, I am in love with GW, but I'm worried I'm making the wrong decision by committing there and am going to be spending too much money on a bachelor's. If someone can reassure methat GW is right way to go or provide some guidance on going an alternative route that would be awesome
Also, I am highly concerned about making the right Bachelor choice because I am looking into going to Europe to attain work experience and master's qualification, in particular to specialize in eastern European affairs.
tropic lagoon
GWGWGWGW!! you won't regret it
rugged whale
If you want to go into government and International Relations, go to GWU. It's ranked 10th or 11 in International Relations, plus the fact that it's right in the middle of DC means you have access to much more opportunities than the other schools you are considering. Although, I might be biased because I am attending GWU next year too.