<p>hey
i am an austrian student, who wants to spend a semester abroad.
my almer mater (univesity of vienna) got these universities to chose.
i am studying political science and business administration
so what college would be your choice?</p>
<p>all four are really great. </p>
<p>Georgetown and Science Po are more renown for politics, chicago and nyu would be better if your focus is on business. I’d simply base my choice on the city/environment or individual great faculty members with whom you would like to work. </p>
<p>For me it would be Georgetown as I’m an IR buff, but Science Po sounds great too (though my french sucks and i really dont like paris).</p>
<p>In terms of pure academics, I would go for Chicago as it is the strongest (by far) in Economics and Political Science. In terms of overall experience, I would recommend Georgetown as it has a very strong name and is decent in both Business and Political Science (much stronger in International Relations). If you want an incredible city life, Paris and NYC are unbeatable. Tough decision. What do you hope to get out of you semester abroad?</p>
<p>Go for NYU. NYU is strong for polsci and business. AND it’s in New York!!!<br>
Unless you can opt to go to LA, in which case, i’d recommend UCLA.</p>
<p>thanks! for the fast answers!
well, i political sciences is much more important to me and so the business focus is no that important
what can you tell me 'bout the differences of the colleges?
about the life there? housing situation and also 'bout the acedemics?</p>
<p>Well all of those schools ar ein cities so ou’ll always have something to do. If you’re looking for more nightlife you would definitely go NYU, if you’re looking for more academics you would go UChicago
I think the best combination would be UChicago…but you should visit these schools and talk to other students if possible.if not</p>
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<p>I would say drop science po because you are already in Europe and coming to America will be a newer experience for you, it will take you out of your comfort zone more.</p>
<p>Of the three I would say that Chicago is bottom of the list, it’s the strongest academically and arguably the most prestigious but not as much fun as NYU or Georgetown. I assume you are not just going to a university which will challenge you academically for a semester but instead you are doing study abroad to experience a new environment/culture and style of teaching, and have a great time while you are at it.</p>
<p>Between Georgetown and NYU it depends on what you want. Georgetown has one of the best international relations programs in the world with great classes, world renowned professors a student body in the school of foreign service that is highly competent and driven to succeed in international politics. NYU has a great international politics program as well and is in nyc. NYC might be a big factor, because it will be much easier for you to fit in, in one of the most diverse cities in the world. There are also many more entertainment options in the NYU area than in the Georgetown area. Georgetown will give you a more traditional American college experience with frat parties and centralized campus socializing. If you are interested in business, stern is one of the best undergraduate business schools in the country. Both places will be “fun” but just offer very different environments, in my mind you should decide on which environment you want, because the difference in environment is bigger than the difference in the quality of departments / classes.</p>
<p>If you’re not 21 NYC isn’t as fun as you might think 
however, I’d still choose NYU out of those options</p>
<p>Guys, remember that the OP is from Europe, and in Europe, there is no difference between UofChicago and NYU. And, even if there is, it does not matter to a German. NYU is as much of a big name as is Chicago outside of the US. And, it does not hurt Max787 to attend an American school that is less cutthroat academically, as exchange students often expect to enjoy their stay at the host university at the same time. Max787 will surely enjoy at UofC, but it’s a no-brainer that he’ll enjoy more at NYU.</p>
<p>I am not so sure RML. I would chose Chicago over NYU. At least Chicago has a campus and a cohesive center, NYU does not. And although NYC is larger and has a little more things to do than Chicago, I personally prefer Chicago as a city. The people in Chicago are more genuine and down to earth. </p>
<p>Finally, in this case, I don’t think prestige matters. The OP is only spending one semester in the US and will not be getting a diploma from either school. The most he will be able to do is mention that he spent one semester in the US. As such, I don’t think he needs to concern himself with prestige. He really should go for the overall experience. It is a tough choice as all three US schools have much to offer.</p>
<p>I haven’t been to chicago but NYC is one hell of a time for anyone 
The only people who I’ve found to dislike it are people from ultra rural locations that hate crowds, which is understandable.</p>
<p>Actually Taggart, I dislike NYC and I grew up in a pretty cosmopolitan city with a population of 1 million. I do not have issues with large cities mind you. Paris is my favourite city on Earth. I also love Chicago. For some reason, NYC and I never clicked! hehe! My wife, whom I took to NYC for her first time last summer was also disapointed. NYC is a great city to be sure, but it is not for all tastes.</p>
<p>Alex, I was actually born in Chicago (that’s why I hold an American passport), but left the city a few months after I was born. I guess it was a way for my parents to make their children American citizens. lol. And you’re correct that it is an amazing city, and one of the most beautiful cities in America, although I have not lived in Chicago that long to have interacted with the local residents there, so I can’t vouch for their culture and friendliness. </p>
<p>You do have a point about U of C having a campus whilst NYU is kind of scattered, so the OP has to take that into consideration as well. But I’ve been to NYU, and for me, it looks pretty fine. I also admire their student body which is generally from “upscale” social strata. I have not been to the U of C campus.</p>
<p>Another nice thing about NYU and Georgetown are the immediate surrounding areas. Their campuses are smack in the middle of awesome and quaint locales (The Village and M Street). The University of Chicago on the other hand is located roughly 4-5 miles from Chicago’s nicer areas.</p>
<p>Still, I would pick Chicago over Georgetown and Georgetown over NYU…but all three are excellent universities in great areas. Like I said…this is one tough decision.</p>
<p>Various factors could tip the decision toward any of these schools. Georgetown, in my opinion, has the best balance. So, although I never thought I’d find myself recommending Georgetown over Chicago (having attended both), in this case I agree with Alexandre on the “overall experience” aspect. I don’t know about Science Po, but since the OP is Austrian, wouldn’t it be more interesting to get out of Europe for a few months?</p>
<p>Chicago vs. Georgetown
Chicago has a beautiful campus with predominantly neo-Gothic architecture (reminiscent of Cambridge), arranged around traditional quadrangles, with connections among buildings intended to reflect the connections among academic disciplines. The library and other facilities are excellent (far superior to Georgetown’s). However, Georgetown is set in a safer residential area, with upscale shops, restaurants and bars/clubs within walking distance. It is a short bus ride to the national monuments and the Smithsonian Institution (major museum system). The UofC is many miles from Chicago’s downtown “Loop” area. Chicago’s winter weather is brutally cold, windy, and snowy. DC winters are typically more mild (though, as I write from the Baltimore-Washington area, we are in the midst of a crippling snowstorm that may top off as high as 75 centimeters.)</p>
<p>Undergraduate classes in the Social Sciences and Humanities at Chicago typically are small, focused on close reading and discussion of classic texts. Quantitative methods are very big there, too. Georgetown’s classes more often are a little larger, lecture based (with Question & Answer), and supported by modern textbooks or contemporary academic publications. Chicago’s tenured faculty are more distinguished (with many leading scholars in their fields). Georgetown likes to hire political celebrities (like former Secretaries of State) for a few years after they retire; the core, tenured faculty typically are good teachers but not as likely to be major scholars in their fields (with exceptions in a few niche areas.) Still, it would be a memorable experience to get a class with a celebrity professor at Georgetown (like Madeleine Albright).</p>
<p>Chicago is a world-class research university, Georgetown is America’s number one or two Catholic college with a few strong graduate programs. In the Social Sciences, Chicago benefits from its association with the National Opinion Research Center ([About</a> NORC](<a href=“http://www.norc.org/Aboutus/]About”>http://www.norc.org/Aboutus/)). If you are serious about social science research, there are few places in the world better to learn how to do it than at Chicago, especially if you can line up an internship at NORC. Even a job as telephone interviewer might be a very worthwhile way to dig deep into American public opinion ([Telephone</a> Interviewers](<a href=“http://www.norc.org/Careers/Telephone+Interviewers/]Telephone”>http://www.norc.org/Careers/Telephone+Interviewers/)). On the other hand, Georgetown is known for leveraging its location in the nation’s capital to connect students with great internship opportunities. </p>
<p>Another thing to consider is that Chicago is on a quarter system, with slightly shorter terms than most American semester systems.</p>
<p>
Well and succinctly stated. I agree. Georgetown has the best “traditional campus” experience of those listed, and NYU is in the most interesting city (Google hits for “semester in New York” trump “semester in Chicago” by roughly 2.5:1). Unlike Chicago, it’s also relatively close to other interesting areas and cities like Philadelphia, about 1 1/2 hours away by train.</p>
<p>Academics are nice, but people are greatly exaggerating their importance in this thread. The OP is not going to receive earth-shattering insights from the 3-4 courses he would take while in the US, regardless of the university chosen. NYU is not noticeably weaker than Chicago in political science, and while Georgetown is, it compensates by offering the most interesting speakers on campus due to its location. NYU and Georgetown are stronger in undergraduate business by default.</p>