American v. Georgetown for IR, money is a consideration

divabre715
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 03:38:20 +0000

Hello! I was fortunate to get into both schools, but I’m torn between the two. For a long time, Georgetown was my dream school, but I gave it up because I thought I had no hope of getting in, and turned my focus to American. I really love DC and will pursue internships and the sort.

Gtown is the superior school - its SFS is world-renowned, the university itself is higher ranked and better regarded, its professors are higher ranked, the name appeal, it’s a smaller university, to name a few. However, I am concerned about a cutthroat atmosphere at SFS, I have doubts about being “smart” enough to succeed, and the price.

Gtown would cost $70,000 per year, as I do not qualify for financial aid. This includes tuition, room and board, flights, books, cold weather clothes (coming from Hawaii) and the like. I received a $15,000 merit scholarship from American, so the yearly cost is $46,000.

My parents are generally vague, and they have not given me a definite answer about affordability - some days they’re sure we can afford Gtown, other days we can’t.

Do I pay the full price for Georgetown and give up a merit scholarship? Or do I go to American, which is not as “impressive” and renowned, but is more affordable?

Thank you!