BROWN vs TUFTS??

paperbagmonster · 02-09-2008, 04:49 AM

Hi everybody, I've got a dilemma on my hands! I want to take up International Relations [major] and Music [minor] for undergrad, and Tufts is probably one of the best places to do that (don't want to go to Georgetown for several reasons), as it's Top 3 for IR and just had a music facility built which is quite good. But on the other hand, Brown apparently has a pretty solid IR course as well (but it's not a major), and is very appealing because it also has the happiest students, well-rounded etc...So I really can't choose...please help me make up my mind by giving opinions!

sly_vt · 02-09-2008, 11:24 AM

Have you been accepted to both? Are you trying to decide where to apply ED? I wouldn't worry about where to go unless both schools have accepted you, and you don't need to make a decision about ED for another 8+ months. Have you visited both schools and done an overnight?

ToastWomble · 02-09-2008, 12:29 PM

Brown does have an International Relations major. In fact, it's one of the the school's most popular majors.

billybobbyk · 02-09-2008, 02:27 PM

Brown, obviously. Brown has International Relations, Public Policy (with either an Economics or International Relations track), and an easy-to-complete Econ major (only 8 required classes total).

billybobbyk · 02-09-2008, 02:29 PM

http://www.watsoninstitute.org/ir/consider.cfm

btw, the Watson Institute is a powerhouse on campus and is bringing former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton to campus in two weeks.

helloworld! · 02-09-2008, 02:55 PM

paperbagmonster, I have almost the exact same problem! (Minus the music minor that is) I decided to apply to Brown ED, mostly because of the open curriculum and Providence. I was deferred and Tufts is looking better every day (and not just because Brown didn't want me). Tufts has a great campus and a wonderful IR program. The jury is still out, though and I'd be so lucky to be accepted at either place. It will be interesting to see what happens.

paperbagmonster · 02-09-2008, 08:21 PM

sly_vt - I don't live in the states so I haven't stayed over night. However both schools came to my country for talks and I attended them and I've visited Brown two years ago. It's so frustrating how you can only apply ONE school for ED!

ToastWombie - I emailed the people at Watson Institute two days ago and they do not have an IR major, but they DO have IR concentration starting junior year.

dcircle · 02-09-2008, 09:12 PM

for clarification, all majors at brown are called "concentrations"
you can begin the IR concentration at brown starting day 1

you should read www.watsoninstitute.org/ir/ to fully learn about the opportunities in IR at brown

paperbagmonster · 02-09-2008, 09:21 PM

dcircle - I'm still confused...on the 'concentrating in IR' page, it says: Students declare their concentration during their sophomore year. You will not be able to register for junior year courses if you have not filed a concentration.

So that means I can't do IR in freshman year?

tetrisfan · 02-09-2008, 10:34 PM

There's no rule saying that you have to apply somewhere ED

paperbagmonster · 02-10-2008, 04:07 AM

tetrisfan - I know, but your chances of getting into a top school if you apply ED is significantly higher compared to regular application. For most cases, anyway.

modestmelody · 02-10-2008, 09:06 AM

Paperbag-- you can take any class you want at any time here at Brown. However, you don't have to formally announce a concentration until the end of your sophomore year. It doesn't change anything about what classes you can take-- there is no internal university structures that precludes students from taking courses they want to take, no separate schools or colleges, to apply to or be cut off from.

The advantage of going ED is largely overstated.

dcircle · 02-10-2008, 02:06 PM

paperbag, when you declare your concentration and when you begin it are separate things. you can begin your concentration and even request an IR advisor as a freshman

paperbagmonster · 02-11-2008, 05:23 AM

modestmelody & dcircle - thanks for clearing it up guys

lolabelle · 02-11-2008, 01:17 PM

Tufts' music program is indeed great, now augmented by the fact that it has state-of-the-art facilities. The close-knit department is a big draw, from what I've heard.

Tufts, in addition to having a premier IR department, also has similar departments that might interest you: Political Science, Peace & Justice Studies, International Letters & Visual Studies (an artsy/cultural take on IR). Not to mention that within the IR major you can have different concentrations (e.g. foreign policy, economic development, geographical concentrations, etc.).