Desperately confused; Oxford, Georgetown or GWU

[emay2015]

So this entire process of applying to grad school has been totally exhausting, but as it comes to a close I find I am very confused about where to go from here. I have been fortunate enough to have received acceptances from all the programs I applied to:

Georgetown: Democracy and Governance

Columbia: Human Rights Studies

Oxford: International Affairs (MPhil)

American University: International Affairs GGPS

GWU: International Affairs

I have been able to rule out American and Columbia, but am really having a hard time deciding between Oxford, Gtown and GWU. I am hoping somene out there has experience or insight to help me make this life altering decision! Let me explain why I am confused and maybe that will help...

1) Oxford- i could not believe I got accepted. It was definitely a reach, but I found out via an informal email yesterday that I will be receiving an offer. However, there is no indication about funding AND I won't know until Mid-April. The program is also a bit different than the traditional IR program in the US since there is a lot more independence and courses are a bit broader than they would be here. Living abroad in Europe also offers boundless opportunity and it's a once in a lifetime kinda thing... I also heard that the MPhil is viewed different in the US once you come back, espeically to DC, since I wouldn't have had many networking/internship opportunities.

2) Georgetown- definitely my dream school/program. They offered me a small scholarship, but it still remains the most expensive school by far. I also really like that they have small class sizes and offer one on one attention with professors. The location is ideal since I plan on working in DC after I graduate and parttime or full time while I am in school.

3) GWU- same location benefits as Gtown, however it's not as 'good' a school. They did offer me over 50% tuition assistance, which is why I am thinking about it a lot more seriously. I also like their professional development classes, but Gtown has those too.

At this point I am okay with taking out SOME student loans, since I think it is a good investment in my future, but just HOW much I take out and what the ROI will be remains to be seen. If anyone has any insight I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

[hustlebunny]

Oxford because I love everything that is English! 

 

I saw this on LinkedIn: "The best education is the one you can afford" , it spoke volumes to me. However I would take a a million dollar loan to go to Harvard without blinking   so... look at where alumni from those programs are right now professionally, that should help.

 

Rooting for Oxford \o/, hope they give you a good package, all the best with your decision. 

[1FJG]

Oxford. My understanding is that they accept international students only if they have funding (fellowship/scholarship) for that particular international students.

[chelaylay]

I remember reading something a year or two ago about how there were more staffers in the Obama administration with an Oxford degree than a Harvard degree. So I think it can definitely get you places when you come back, and there probably is a network of US alumni!

 

I went to GW undergrad so I can say that the Elliot school has a few places it's not outstanding - career services is one of them. Perhaps it's different for Masters students but I remember being significantly underwhelmed. I hustled on my own to get jobs/internships. I think whether or not it's a "good" program depends on what area you're studying. They are stronger in Security studies than other areas (and that's coming from a professor I'm still in touch with there). My opinion though is that location matters more than program to a large extent - being in DC will make a bigger difference than going to GW vs Gtown likely. You'll have the same opportunities those students have. 

 

 

[emay2015]

For those of you that are suggesting Oxford, do you think the education/name/experience will outweigh the benefits that DC has to offer? I've read a lot on this forum and others that US students who go abroad for their degrees have a more difficult time finding jobs because they don't have the internship experience or developed network systems in place compared to those who did study here. I'm thinking specifically of DC since that's where I plan on living after graduation.

Even just comparing Gtown and GWU-- is Gtown worth the extra money? How should you compare a lower ranked school that offers more funding than a higher ranked school which offers little?

[Guest]

I'm pursuing the security aspect of International Affairs. I don't think it is about the school's name is the biggest aspect that most careers look out in terms of International Affairs. If you plan to get involved with the government, they do not care about where you have attended. My dad sits on a federal government admit board, and he tells me that all the time. I believe that it is the same for things such as NGOs, IGOs, etc. Experience will be the biggest factor.

 

But, I believe that the main hype about DC is just the 'connections' that you can get there by means of networking. It also receives hype due to having the opportunities to do internships or work for some type of agency as you study.That's probably one of the most important things, especially if you do not have much experience in your fields of at the moment. Unlike some people on this site within International Affairs, I'm straight out of undergrad. So, being able to use the DC job prospects will help me get job experience that I currently lack. I've been accepted to 2 non-DC programs, and I am already considering to turn one of them down. I feel that it does not offer any type of internship or job oppportunties 'as' I pursue my studies. I am looking for these things within a program: networking, various types of work-study positions/internships within my field, curriculum.

Edited March 21, 2015 by Guest