As someone working in the "IR" field, for undergrad really not at all important what the major is called, or whether the school has a separate department, more important to truly master at least one and preferably more languages, spend meaningful time during semesters and summers abroad (and NOT just hanging out and drinking with other American students)LEARN TO WRITE WELL, quickly, clearly and under pressure, learn to analyze sources and come to a hypothesis and be able to defend that hypothesis, and learn to interact with and influence other people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of schools offer IR courses in their Government or Poly Sci departments. The larger universities offer an IR major. Small LACs generally do not.

Not sure that's true. I majored in IR at a SLAC years ago. It was in the Poli Sci dept but as a separate major. Based on the college visits I've done over the last few years (more than I'd like to admit with 2 kids and little overlap in their school interests) IR seems to be pretty common.

Interesting. I'd love a list. Not coming up with much using Google.

Anonymous wrote:Lots of schools offer IR courses in their Government or Poly Sci departments. The larger universities offer an IR major. Small LACs generally do not.

Not sure that's true. I majored in IR at a SLAC years ago. It was in the Poli Sci dept but as a separate major. Based on the college visits I've done over the last few years (more than I'd like to admit with 2 kids and little overlap in their school interests) IR seems to be pretty common.

Anonymous wrote:Link? Thanks!!

Sorry!

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/01/03/top_ten_international_relations_undergraduate_programs

I think this might be the article the PP referenced:

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/01/03/top_ten_international_relations_undergraduate_programs?page=0,9

Lots of schools offer IR courses in their Government or Poly Sci departments. The larger universities offer an IR major. Small LACs generally do not.

Link? Thanks!!

Anonymous wrote:Anyone out there with relatively recent experience at Dartmouth? DD is considering Dartmouth. She'd major in international relations/politics. Thanks!

here is an article that might be of interest to you. It contains the 10 top international relations programs. Georgetown, George Washington and American were listed. (Dartmouth was 8)

Anonymous wrote:Should look at Middlebury as well then, international relations and languages strongest departments, similar setting to Dartmouth, somewhat smaller, no sororities/fraternities-drinking culture for sure still very pervasive as at any school these days, but at least no hazing issues and socially much less pressure than at Dartmouth to drink and behave badly to feel part of a frat. Just as hard if not harder to get into compared to Dartmouth however.

This is good advice. I have a grad degree from Middlebury and an undergrad degree from another Ivy. If it were my kid, I would steer him toward Middlebury undergrad instead of Dartmouth for social reasons and the fact that I think the undergraduate education at Middlebury is top notch. The school settings/cultures are similar but Middlebury doesn't have the hard edges.

I do think the Greek life comments sum Dartmouth up pretty well. Agree with PP that if it's Dartmouth academics you crave look at Middlebury, Bowdoin or Amherst instead. A small notch down (2100 SAT/ 32 ACT or so) are other LACs like Colby, Bates or Hamilton.

Should look at Middlebury as well then, international relations and languages strongest departments, similar setting to Dartmouth, somewhat smaller, no sororities/fraternities-drinking culture for sure still very pervasive as at any school these days, but at least no hazing issues and socially much less pressure than at Dartmouth to drink and behave badly to feel part of a frat. Just as hard if not harder to get into compared to Dartmouth however.

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on the d-plan?

It's great. Sophomores love being there over the summer and then it's easier to find an internship/job for winter term than it is in the summer. One downside is that you have to go back right after Xmas, and don't get out until June, which is much later than most colleges.

Any thoughts on the d-plan?

I've got several friends with kids there now. I went there for grad school. People seem to like it, especially athletic outdoorsy kids. According to the last alumni report I got they are looking once again at Greek life. The Rolling Stone article was appalling, even with a huge grain of salt. Apparently the key reason accepted students choose other schools over D is the negative perception of Greek life on campus.

Not sure if my DC will be interested in it or not, currently leaning not. And of course it's ridiculously hard to get into. I know several super qualified children of alums who were not accepted.

Anyone out there with relatively recent experience at Dartmouth? DD is considering Dartmouth. She'd major in international relations/politics. Thanks!