UPenn VS Gtown VS Virginia VS Cornell

[sincereheart]

plan to apply for 2014 fall.

Any ideas about UPenn VS Gtown VS Virginia VS Cornell in IR? Seems that US News, NRC, and TRIPS rank them differently.

[PoliSwede]

I guess they weren't too helpful over at psjr?

What topic in IR are you interested in? And what are your plans after completing the degree(academia, policy, etc)? More information will help people in answering your question.

Edited March 3, 2013 by Lemeard

[sincereheart]

yeah psjr doesn't help much.

Interested in IR theories, juncture between comparative and IR. Not so sure about it cause I transfer from history to poli sci and do not take too many courses on IR yet.

[Doorkeeper]

I'm not an IR expert, but I would have to think Cornell leads the pack between these four given your general interests.  Between the last three, I'm not sure.  I would imagine it would have to depend on what area you're interested in for your comparative interests.

[eponine997]

yeah psjr doesn't help much.

^ Understatement.  That site is for comedy, not information

 

Cornell, assuming your goal is a TT job rather than a think tank (in which case Gtown or perhaps UVA would more appropriate).  If you are only planning for the '14 app cycle, there is no need to pick a favorite just yet.  Cast as wide of a net (read: as many schools) as you can reasonably afford (there are people on this forum who applied at 15 or more).  But it will also depend at least partially on your specific interests within IR. The "best" program (wherever that is) can be a great program for someone wants to focus on IPE and development (for example), but if your interest is in security, it might not be the best place for you.  

[ThisGuyRiteHere]

One lesson I learned. Don't underestimate yourself as an applicant (both in how high or low you should apply) and fit.

[sincereheart]

another question is that: why Cornell is ranked so differently in US News ranking and NRC ranking?

[dnexon]

Because they use different methodologies. I'd ignore NRC and use USNWR as a rough guide to the status hierarchy in the discipline. 

[sincereheart]

Because they use different methodologies. I'd ignore NRC and use USNWR as a rough guide to the status hierarchy in the discipline. 

Then do you think TRIP survey by William and Mary college is a good guide for IR students?

[dnexon]

Sure. No better or worse than any other reputation-based survey. At some point I'll post some thoughts on how I think this stuff should be parsed.

[CGMJ]

Sure. No better or worse than any other reputation-based survey. At some point I'll post some thoughts on how I think this stuff should be parsed.

 

That would be really helpful!