Hi CC,
I posted something a couple weeks ago about choosing between JHU and Dartmouth for an IR major, with other interests in both economics and creative writing. I recently attended a scholarship finalist weekend at WM however and I really liked the atmosphere and the people/professors/current students that I met there.
I think some of this is because WM did a great sell job in terms of their IR program, but I’m really considering their program a lot more than I was before. Not only do they have a more relaxed vibe in terms of their academics, but they also have undergraduate research programs such as AidData and PIPS, both of which I sat in on classes for. Their great professors and small size would also enable me to conduct my own research, etc without too much difficulty.
However, I am still drawn to JHU and Dartmouth due to prestige, program quality, and overall impressions from visiting campus. I haven’t visited Northwestern yet, but I just wanted to also get a preemptive perspective on the IR program there. In terms of my other college experience components, I want to have a student body that is supportive, collaborative, intense but not extremely or dangerously stressful, and not too much “in their own bubble”. In other words, I want people to be nice and interesting, but also very conscious of the real world. So realists, I guess.
I’m also interested in a cappella and mock trial, and I want to get involved in Model UN/IR Club and maybe even play some ultimate frisbee (although that’s not a deal breaker). A good music department is also a plus, but I would mainly use that to continue private lessons in both piano and voice.
If anyone has any input, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much!