I work in international affairs, and hire dozens of entry level professionals each year. Don't worry so much about undergrad. It's common to see a bachelor's degree from a state school or a liberal arts college, and a graduate degree from Johns Hopkins SAIS, Georgetown SFS, Columbia SIPA, or London School of Economics.

DD applied to both last year and I toured both with her. I got a better vibe at AU--it really feels like a school that is
"up and coming" and working hard at raising its selectivity an profile, and the new president is impressive. GW felt a little more chaotic and "on autopilot" to me. Both have strong, well-regarded programs in international relations. FWIW, DD got into both with a big merit offer at GW and a smaller one at AU.

GW is where rich people send their kids who didn't get into Ivies.

GW is in the action; AU is in the burbs. Nothing else is remotely as important in distinguishing between these two schools. Pick your fit.

[quote=Anonymous]My take as recent high school grad who toured both:

Theyre very comprable. Personally I think more highly of GW bc it is a more substantial research university-- med school, more engineering, better law school. IMO employers, international people/companies, and people in general have higher opinion of GW for the same reason, my peer group did.

I liked GW campus better too, I didnt mind how urban it was-- closer to public transport potential jobs and internships etc. I only applied to GW, Elliott IR school, was accepted w merit scholarship, opted against it, heres what i didnt like abt GW: they basically invented the skyrocketing tuition that has since been emulated by literally every other college, read the atlantic article abt how tacky their president was-- building spree, higher tuition, total shift away from mission statement of university. Also, it seemed like wealth divisions would stand out quite strongly-- ie there is no dining hall on campus, so I assume wealthier kids find that quite easy, but that seems like a total middle finger to poor kids for whom that might pose a challenge. Money isnt an issue for my fam but that seems quite insensitive and gross of the university to do. [/quote]
I worked at GW and yes, the wealth divisions are real. The boujee tri-staters can be a lot to handle.

[quote=Anonymous]My take as recent high school grad who toured both:

Theyre very comprable. Personally I think more highly of GW bc it is a more substantial research university-- med school, more engineering, better law school. IMO employers, international people/companies, and people in general have higher opinion of GW for the same reason, my peer group did.

I liked GW campus better too, I didnt mind how urban it was-- closer to public transport potential jobs and internships etc. I only applied to GW, Elliott IR school, was accepted w merit scholarship, opted against it, heres what i didnt like abt GW: they basically invented the skyrocketing tuition that has since been emulated by literally every other college, read the atlantic article abt how tacky their president was-- building spree, higher tuition, total shift away from mission statement of university. Also, it seemed like wealth divisions would stand out quite strongly-- ie there is no dining hall on campus, so I assume wealthier kids find that quite easy, but that seems like a total middle finger to poor kids for whom that might pose a challenge. Money isnt an issue for my fam but that seems quite insensitive and gross of the university to do. [/quote]
I worked at GW and yes, the wealth divisions are real. The boujee tri-staters can be a lot to handle.

For foreign policy, GW is more selective and has a better name around town. That really matters, and should make the choice given the industry.

-GU grad long ago, now work on foreign policy, impressed (and not in a condescending way) with how GW has grown their programs

My take as recent high school grad who toured both:

Theyre very comprable. Personally I think more highly of GW bc it is a more substantial research university-- med school, more engineering, better law school. IMO employers, international people/companies, and people in general have higher opinion of GW for the same reason, my peer group did.

I liked GW campus better too, I didnt mind how urban it was-- closer to public transport potential jobs and internships etc. I only applied to GW, Elliott IR school, was accepted w merit scholarship, opted against it, heres what i didnt like abt GW: they basically invented the skyrocketing tuition that has since been emulated by literally every other college, read the atlantic article abt how tacky their president was-- building spree, higher tuition, total shift away from mission statement of university. Also, it seemed like wealth divisions would stand out quite strongly-- ie there is no dining hall on campus, so I assume wealthier kids find that quite easy, but that seems like a total middle finger to poor kids for whom that might pose a challenge. Money isnt an issue for my fam but that seems quite insensitive and gross of the university to do.

Thanks, everyone! Some good things to think about.

One thing I forgot to mention is that there is a high likelihood my daughter could get lots of scholarship $$$, up to full tuition, at these schools (Tuition Exchange- I work at a college in WA). This is why Georgetown isn't on the list, bc they don't participate. If she didn't get the money she'd probably end up at UW, but she really does want to go to college in DC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two of my HS peers went to these colleges (well more probably but two I knew very well). The guy who went to GW was extraordinarily intellectual and capable (politics, international affairs etc) the girl who went to AU was a little wishy-washy. She was a solid B student, zero imagination, very suburban and predictable.

American has changed in the last ten years, it’s much harder to get into. It used to be Georgetown, then GWU, then American very definitely. I don’t see American as far behind of GW as it once was.

I don't remember mentioning when my HS peers attended these colleges.

I went to GW for political sci/international relations and I don't recommend it. Low bang for the buck.

I used to work for GW. It's a great-but-flawed, generally respected, increasingly internationally known university.

American is not as known, not as highly ranked, not as respected. It's not viewed as being nearly on the same level as GW.

GW has a top-ranked law school and a medical school. The business school and international school are each becoming increasingly well-known.

Anonymous wrote:Two of my HS peers went to these colleges (well more probably but two I knew very well). The guy who went to GW was extraordinarily intellectual and capable (politics, international affairs etc) the girl who went to AU was a little wishy-washy. She was a solid B student, zero imagination, very suburban and predictable.

American has changed in the last ten years, it’s much harder to get into. It used to be Georgetown, then GWU, then American very definitely. I don’t see American as far behind of GW as it once was.

I actually went to one for undergrad and the other for law school. Both undergrads moving up and both solid for IR and Poli Sci. GW stronger for Poli Sci a tad because they have the grad school of political management. Big difference is campuses. Suburbanish (though still in DC) for AU and city (think NYU) for GW.

GW ranked a little higher and on the cusp of top 50 with a good ranking in US News. AU top 75 or so. Could make the slight difference.

See what you get for merit aid and then decide. I loved my time at both.

And get used to NY/NJ crowd at both. Similar student demographics. But you can't go wrong with either.

Two of my HS peers went to these colleges (well more probably but two I knew very well). The guy who went to GW was extraordinarily intellectual and capable (politics, international affairs etc) the girl who went to AU was a little wishy-washy. She was a solid B student, zero imagination, very suburban and predictable.