<p>Brown, Georgetown, and Northwestern seem to have a lot in common, but suppose I had to choose one. Which school do you think offers the best combination of courses related to my interests?</p>
<p>I have three main academic interests:</p>
<ol>
<li>US politics (not necessarily international relationsI would enroll in Georgetown College, not SFS)</li>
<li>Philosophy</li>
<li>US history</li>
</ol>
<p>For the purposes of this discussion, let’s say financial aid is not an issue.</p>
<p>I would say that if you’re not thinking SFS, you should be comparing on fit, not prowess.</p>
<p>I did political science with a focus on theory, and I’ve been very impressed by the professors here (even if there are only a few). David Estlund in philosophy and Sharon Krause and Corey Brettschneider in poli sci are both fantastic, and both Estlund and Charles Larmore (also in phil) are quite well-known as contemporary American philosophers.</p>
<p>All three universities have great programs in your areas of interest. Because of its location in Washington D.C., Georgetown would be your best bet if your primary focus is US politics and government. If you are equally interested in all three concentrations, base the decision on factors besides department strength. Definitely visit each campus to get a sense of each school. Brown’s open curriculum would allow your to pursue your interests more fully without any distribution requirements.</p>