NYU or GWU - International Relations M.A.

[kelsiv]

I am having trouble deciding between NYU and George Washington University for grad school. At NYU I would be studying International Relations at GSAS while at GW I would get an M.A. in international Affairs with a concentration in international development. My hope after obtaining my masters is to work for an NGO that focuses on trade and development and eventually go back to get a doctorate in International relations, focusing on trade, development, and economic relations. I prefer D.C. as a city in general as it is much nicer in my opinion, but I don’t mind New York either. I understand that both are going to be very expensive in terms of living which I can accept though I really hope to not have to share a bedroom which seems like the only option in NYC from what I have been looking at. I have heard from many professionals that NYU is a better choice because it is better known and higher ranked in general, though not necessarily for the field I am hoping to go into. 

*I might also mention that I was also accepted to American University for International Economic Relations. I absolutely love this school too (especially the campus) but have found that the majority of people I talk to have not heard of it, which seems a little scary to me. I like the idea of having a more focused M.A. After receiving my B.A. in International Affairs I was often told by employers that this degree seemed too broad. American would give me the opportunity to show a little more focus in my resume.