shenoo82

Okay, so after 20 pages, I think I have a good idea on graduate programs. However, what about undergrad? Yes, I know, it doesn't matter, just work hard, internships, work experience, etc. But these acceptance rates are very discouraging to me and I'm starting to look harder at state public schools. Is it at all possible to get into programs like SAIS, SIS, etc. with just a public school degree? I'm looking at University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. It's the best school in the state ... and very cheap, what with my residence.

Obviously, I know that other (private, expensive, highly selective) schools are prefered, and if possible, I want to go to Georgetown for undergrad. But if it really doesn't even matter that much, should I even major in anything international? What about just poli sci?

This is how I spend my Christmas Eve -- blah. Stressing over the rest of my educational life.

renoirbleu

I'm going to apply to the exchanging student program of my university this January. I'm majoring in polisci & IR at Korea university and my minor is international studies.
as you mentioned that at undergrad level, ranking of programs is not that easy
I don't want you to give me the ranking list.

what I want to know here is that....
I have a few options to choose among US universities. Let me just name them first.

1. U.Penn
2. U. Virginia
3. SUNY Buffalo
4. UMSL (U.Missouri-St.Louis)
5. West Virginia Uni
6. U.Cincinnati

I know that those first two unis are better than others but just in case I need to prepare to be located in other schools that I did not expect...
I've heard that the location (close to DC) is quite important for internships. But do you think it is possible for someone like me - international student to get an internship there, DC?

I'm just confused... while I've been reading all those messages posted here, I feel like I'm in another world! guess I need to admit that I'm not a native American......

could you give me any advice, please?

ah... and if some schools on the list above are so crappy to apply, please tell me. I have to remove them from my selection. thanx.

p.s.>
I was just wondering when I read UCSD is pretty highly ranked from somewhere but as I read what UCLAri posted here, now I can understand why. Pacific-rim studies, sounds interesting. hehe

UCLAri

renoirbleu,

The only problem you face as a foreign national is not being able to get internships with the US government (which are oftentimes the most interesting ones.) However, I know that Penn uses the UCDC building in Washington, DC like the University of California does, which would let you spend a semester in DC studying and doing an internship if you want. I cannot say exactly how that works at Penn, however.

cheers

Take UMSL off the list. That is the least Intl school I can think of.

American?

UCLAri

Unfortunately, renoirbleu may be limited only to the schools his school has an agreement with...However, I'd add Georgetown, GWU, and American in a heartbeat.

BIGTWIX

it is called WUSTL
not UMSL

UCLAri

Nah. It's called University of Missouri-St. Louis.

BIGTWIX

ok..
i just never heard of it
so automatically
WUSTL came to mind

Helpermom

Ok, for IR undergrad, can anyone compare the following programs and the
prestige/effect that going there will have on ability to get internships during undergrad, get into grad school, and get a real job someday? I am not as concerned about campus attributes as I am about local buzz/reputation that comes with being a fine student at any of the three. Also, are the student
populations at the three fairly similar since many undergrads apply to all three? Finally, do the adcomms compare lists of applicants between the 3
prior to handing out their decisions?

UCLAri

I'm not sure I noticed which three programs you're interested in...

California-Bolt

"But if it really doesn't even matter that much, should I even major in anything international? What about just poli sci?"

Yeah I've also wondered about that.

Helpermom

UCLAri
Whoops! The three programs I was asking you to compare were all DC:
American, GW, GU. How would you rate the academics, internship opportunities and social atmospere at each? Thanks.

UCLAri

There's a sort of pantheon in DC, with Georgetown sitting squarely at the top, and GW and American kind of fight over the second spot. Or at least that seems to be my impression. I personally see the undergrad program at Georgetown having a distinct edge academically. My word, however, is not necessarily canon.

Internship opportunities in DC are incredible. You may not always end up in Brookings or the State Dept., but there are literally thousands of places where one can intern and get substantive experience. Competition for the top programs is of course fierce, but the three you're comparing are going to all do a good job of getting students into good positions.

I don't know enough about any of those three socially to say much, but DC itself is a great town.

Helpermom

Thanks, UCLAri. Would you go so far as to recomend Georgetown, GW,
and American over the likes of UVA, William and Mary, or UNC-Chapel Hill
for undergrad IR education? Or is it possible to get a good grounding in IR at
a big public uni and then pursue grad degree in DC?

UCLAri

Well, I did go to a big public uni and did get into some DC programs of note for grad, so I think the answer is definitely yes.

I'm a bit on the fence about undergrad IR programs vs. a solid poli sci or econ background. For one, I think that many of the IR programs don't provide nearly enough quantitative skills. And I also think that any decent poli sci department's IR concentration will cover the majority of what a student needs in terms of foundational skills and knowledge. On the other hand, Georgetown and other DC schools are rife with internship opportunities in the heart of where it all matters, so they have a serious practical advantage.

Would I take Georgetown at the same price or even a few $K premium? Yes. Would I take it over UVA and $80K less debt? No. Many, if not most, of the top careers are going to want grad work anyway, and in that case, it's even more debt...