<p>If I wanted to spin an answer, I’d probably point out that until recently, the longtime Dean at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown was Bob Galluci, a Brandeis PhD who studied under Prof. Bob Art (and Prof. Art still teaches the undergraduate Introduction to International Relations course). But the truth is that the undergraduate program in international studies is undoubtedly stronger at Georgetown than Brandeis–after all it is an entire school, not just a program. That said, keeping in mind that studing international studies as an undergraduate is really an interdisciplinary liberal arts eduation, the education one will receive in that field is not going to vary a lot between the two institutions, and the $40,000 you would save would go a long way toward paying for a Masters degree.</p>
<p>In my mind, the main difference between Georgetown and Brandeis is cultural rather than academic. Georgetown is a Catholic institution with all that entails (crucifixes in the classroom, priests on the faculty and in the administration, etc.). And while Georgetown undoubtedly has a lighter touch in the Catholic department than, say, Notre Dame–it is still a major influence. The majority of students at GU are Catholic and, while many are not that religious, the school is constrained to follow the teachings of the Catholic Church. There are students of all faiths at Georgetown, but there is no question that the Catholic influence is keenly felt.</p>
<p>Conversely, while Brandeis has no formal Jewish affiliation in the way that GU is Jesuit, it was founded and largely funded by Jews and the Jewish influence is present in everything from the academic calendar to the availability of Kosher food. Brandeis’ undergraduate population is @50% Jewish, although the graduate school’s demographics are quite different so the total percentage of Jews at the University is well south of that number. Like Georgetown, there are students of all faiths at Brandeis (which sports three separate chapels–Jewish, Catholic and Protestant as well as a Muslim prayer room). But there is no denying that the culture is dominated by Judaism.</p>
<p>So the prevailing cultures are different–not necessarily better or worse–just different. Your son might well feel more comfortable at one than the other; conversely, a little discomfort is not necessarily a bad thing for an undergraduate experience. This, however, is a very personal decision. </p>
<p>Williams is an altogether different culture from both GU and Brandeis. Academically, it is an outstanding LAC–arguably the best (although my friends who are Amherst and Swathmore alums will take issue with that:) ). But, as a relatively small school with a long history of excellence if not domination in Div. III sports–it also has a decidedly “preppy jock” culture. Now if your son is an athlete and attended a boarding school–that might be viewed as a big plus. On the other hand, that culture is not for everyone and I know students who transferred from Williams because it wasn’t the right fit. </p>
<p>Bottom line is that all three are great academically–I think that cultural differences and perhaps finances should be the deciding factors.</p>