<p>the admissions office talks about this A LOT but what exactly does this mean? i’ve also heard from several people that it’s almost as important as SAT’s and your GPA. anyone want to help?</p>
<p>also, would attending the one-week International Relations program at Georgetown help in the admissions process?</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>I think “global perspective” means awareness of other cultures and the ability to see America in perspective from other points of view–including knowledge of less affluent societies and their problems, various world religions, foreign languages and their literatures. One week anywhere won’t make much difference–start by reading the NY Times, The Economist, and listening to the BBC World Service radio–or read Thomas Friedman’s books or Zadie Smith, Salman Rushdie, Gabriel Garcia Marquez…etc.etc. Or find out more about your own ethnic origins and the original homelands of your ancestors.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that the IR program does help. One of my friends, who is salutatorian in HUGE public but other than that has average extracurrics and stats, got in because of the IR program.</p>
<p>I don’t think the IR program really helps. It is only a week, and that is not enough time to fully develop a “global perspective” or really any significant opinions of your own.</p>
<p>Go if you want, and have the money, but don’t go thinking it’s a ticket to admission.</p>
<p>what about the month long regular summer school program?</p>
<p>As a general rule for all university admissions, you cannot “buy” your way in by attending a summer school–perhaps if you met a professor who was very impressed with you and he/she was willing to put in a good word–but this would be by far the exception, not the rule. Your entire high school career +summer activities over years are what count.</p>