How can you decide between GWU (Elliott) and AU (SIS)?

[dali99]

Hi all,

I have to decide between the international development program at SIS and Elliott, and would like to know more about your perspectives on the two schools. Both are my top choices and offer me very generous financial packages. I also got external scholarships, so money won't be a problem. Frankly, I will be very happy to attend either school--but that's also the dilemma.

About me: I did my undergrad in Europe, majoring in anthropology & development studies. Since then I've been working for international NGOs and UN agencies in different capacities such as program officer, consultant, etc.

I apply to the International Development program at both schools because I am very interested in gender issues and applied anthropology. (I secretly hope that one day I will land in a Ph.D. in anthropology if I ever get bored with working for those organizations.) Both schools seem not to be heavily quantitative-oriented and offer tracks/concentrations gender and culture. There are also many gender/anthropologists in the faculties of the two schools.

I am an international student, who actually never been to D.C. before. So much of my knowledge about these schools are drawn from their websites. Any information about the programs, student body, internship, career development, etc. at the schools will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance!

[JAubrey]

Short answer: Elliott (GW) by a long shot.

Elliott boasts a better location in the heart of DC, greater access to the city / internship opportunities, and has a far better reputation. AU SIS is a fine school, however is a distant fourth in the DC area behind Walsh (GTown), SAIS (JHU), and Elliott (GW). AU also tends to have a much younger crowd, whereas Elliott has more people with work experience which allows for better networking not to mention what you can learn from them in the classroom.

[Ahab]

Short answer: Elliott (GW) by a long shot.

Elliott boasts a better location in the heart of DC, greater access to the city / internship opportunities, and has a far better reputation. AU SIS is a fine school, however is a distant fourth in the DC area behind Walsh (GTown), SAIS (JHU), and Elliott (GW). AU also tends to have a much younger crowd, whereas Elliott has more people with work experience which allows for better networking not to mention what you can learn from them in the classroom.

+1

[psychicoctopus]

I'm also deciding between these two schools, though for international affairs. I am leaning GWU, but I'd like to hear more if others can offer their insight into the schools.

[Jodjod]

I'm also deciding between these two schools, though for international affairs. I am leaning GWU, but I'd like to hear more if others can offer their insight into the schools.

I also applied to both schools (though I'm in at SIS and wait listed at Elliot) and I'm curious to know how their recruiting compare. I'd be working while attending but I'm interested to learn whether both schools tend to pull from the same fields (say heavily public sector where I am today) or one maintains an edge in pulling from the private sector (my interest).

[dali99]

I'm also deciding between these two schools, though for international affairs. I am leaning GWU, but I'd like to hear more if others can offer their insight into the schools.

Did you make the final decision?