I’d agree that Georgetown looks like a great choice from a curriculum perspective with great language, economics, and data analysis programs. It’s one of the few schools with a very extensive Turkish program. I do think the school environment is weaker than other options due to hot weather, weaker sports, and I believe a more competitive culture. (Maybe all top-ranked programs have a competitive culture.) Their admissions are a little unusual in that REA, where you can’t apply to any school ED, doesn’t seem to give any advantage over regular admissions.
I should explain why the Turkish is getting equal weight with Arabic. He is probably not competitive with his classmates in Arabic because they’re a year ahead, having started the language in 8th grade. The NSLI-Y virtual requires that you take language at a beginning level, so he couldn’t apply for Arabic. The Arabic department will let us know how many kids are applying for the away programs. In past years, students have regularly gone to the overseas summer and academic year high school programs in Arabic.
Also, during the summer, the Arabic sites have an average high temperature of 100. Istanbul’s summer is more moderate with a high of 85. For a summer only program Turkey has kinder weather. I went to Turkey many years ago and have told my son about the great food, culture, and activities in Turkey, so that may have also peaked his interest.
If you have a school considering a new foreign language, Arabic is a very strong choice.