Anonymous
04/20/2026 13:23
Subject: Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Do you still need a masters coming out of sfs? Is there a 5 year ba/ma program like Hopkins has with SAIS?
Anonymous
04/20/2026 13:20
Subject: Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Both great -- kid should pick based on vibe.
That said, as an SFS grad, people immediately understand why I wanted to go to Georgetown and that Georgetown is a standout in my field.
For IR at Johns Hopkins, they have great scholars and I'm sure kids could learn as much (minus the DC internship possibilities). However, I'd guess there might be a sense of 'did you fail out of premed/ BME'? Lay people don't associate JHU with IR.
That said, as an SFS grad, people immediately understand why I wanted to go to Georgetown and that Georgetown is a standout in my field.
For IR at Johns Hopkins, they have great scholars and I'm sure kids could learn as much (minus the DC internship possibilities). However, I'd guess there might be a sense of 'did you fail out of premed/ BME'? Lay people don't associate JHU with IR.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 11:25
Subject: Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:both great schools for IR. will get a great education at both.
now cue the fighting about Georgetown's rats and mold vs Baltimore's crime and JHU being (gasp!) 50%+ Asian.
Not really.
SFS at Georgetown is like BME at JHU. IR at JHU is like BME at Georgetown.
It's crazy to put these two for comparison.
No, Georgetown is top for IR (helped by being closer to DC) but JHU is also in or near the top ten. They are closer peers in IR than they will ever be for BME, which Georgetown doesn't even have a notable dept of.
I don't know if you are serious or a troll. Georgetown is mecca of IR.
Saying they are close peers just because JHU rank near the top ten by a magazine?
Then I guess MIT and UDub are peers.
Georgetown invented the IR program. It was the foreign service school. SFS has always been known as “the Harvard” for foreign service.
Georgetown University ranked first in the world for its international relations master’s and undergraduate programs, according to 2024 rankings released by Foreign Policy magazine.The university also scored highly for Ph.D. programs focused on a policy career, coming in second.
The rankings are based on a broad survey of 1,500 foreign policy professionals administered by William & Mary’s Global Research Institute, including three distinct groups – international relations faculty, policymakers and think tank staff.
It is recognized as one of the top schools for international affairs globally. It is frequently ranked #1 for international relations master’s programs and in the top three for undergraduate programs by policymakers and faculty and it’s crazy this forum is clueless or purposely being obtuse.
Georgetown University is a top producer of U.S. diplomats and politicians, with 28 alumni and faculty serving in the 119th Congress (2025–2027). Known for its strong international relations program, it has educated at least 92 U.S. ambassadors and consistently ranks among the highest in producing congressional members, staffers, and chiefs of staff.
It’s where future leaders around the word come for education—royalty, presidents, etc.
I don’t disagree that Georgetown is better on this front but the gap between the two is more of a crack in the sidewalk than the Grand Canyon. Especially for undergrad, which really is not that important in this space.
In IR, your master's degree will be more important. But generally, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Tufts, GW, Harvard, and Princeton are all very strong. I don't think there's much of an educational or opportunity difference whether a student goes to SFS or SAIS. Choose based on all the other reasons one chooses a college - vibe, fit, location. The peer groups in these two programs will be similar.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 11:15
Subject: Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:both great schools for IR. will get a great education at both.
now cue the fighting about Georgetown's rats and mold vs Baltimore's crime and JHU being (gasp!) 50%+ Asian.
damn.. comparing Asians to rats/molds... new level.
I am certain that’s not what PP said. She meant the competition level.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 11:12
Subject: Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Anonymous wrote:both great schools for IR. will get a great education at both.
now cue the fighting about Georgetown's rats and mold vs Baltimore's crime and JHU being (gasp!) 50%+ Asian.
damn.. comparing Asians to rats/molds... new level.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 10:41
Subject: Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Hopkins alum, adding for op, the IR kids at Hopkins tend to be very social, not geeky.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 09:21
Subject: Re:Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
^ agree. My kids seriously debated both. Parent is a JHU alum in the field.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 09:21
Subject: Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:both great schools for IR. will get a great education at both.
now cue the fighting about Georgetown's rats and mold vs Baltimore's crime and JHU being (gasp!) 50%+ Asian.
Not really.
SFS at Georgetown is like BME at JHU. IR at JHU is like BME at Georgetown.
It's crazy to put these two for comparison.
No, Georgetown is top for IR (helped by being closer to DC) but JHU is also in or near the top ten. They are closer peers in IR than they will ever be for BME, which Georgetown doesn't even have a notable dept of.
I don't know if you are serious or a troll. Georgetown is mecca of IR.
Saying they are close peers just because JHU rank near the top ten by a magazine?
Then I guess MIT and UDub are peers.
Georgetown invented the IR program. It was the foreign service school. SFS has always been known as “the Harvard” for foreign service.
Georgetown University ranked first in the world for its international relations master’s and undergraduate programs, according to 2024 rankings released by Foreign Policy magazine.The university also scored highly for Ph.D. programs focused on a policy career, coming in second.
The rankings are based on a broad survey of 1,500 foreign policy professionals administered by William & Mary’s Global Research Institute, including three distinct groups – international relations faculty, policymakers and think tank staff.
It is recognized as one of the top schools for international affairs globally. It is frequently ranked #1 for international relations master’s programs and in the top three for undergraduate programs by policymakers and faculty and it’s crazy this forum is clueless or purposely being obtuse.
Georgetown University is a top producer of U.S. diplomats and politicians, with 28 alumni and faculty serving in the 119th Congress (2025–2027). Known for its strong international relations program, it has educated at least 92 U.S. ambassadors and consistently ranks among the highest in producing congressional members, staffers, and chiefs of staff.
It’s where future leaders around the word come for education—royalty, presidents, etc.
I don’t disagree that Georgetown is better on this front but the gap between the two is more of a crack in the sidewalk than the Grand Canyon. Especially for undergrad, which really is not that important in this space.
And let me just clarify, I’m talking about IR. The last two paragraphs of accolades you posted are mostly due to Georgetown law.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 09:17
Subject: Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:both great schools for IR. will get a great education at both.
now cue the fighting about Georgetown's rats and mold vs Baltimore's crime and JHU being (gasp!) 50%+ Asian.
Not really.
SFS at Georgetown is like BME at JHU. IR at JHU is like BME at Georgetown.
It's crazy to put these two for comparison.
No, Georgetown is top for IR (helped by being closer to DC) but JHU is also in or near the top ten. They are closer peers in IR than they will ever be for BME, which Georgetown doesn't even have a notable dept of.
I don't know if you are serious or a troll. Georgetown is mecca of IR.
Saying they are close peers just because JHU rank near the top ten by a magazine?
Then I guess MIT and UDub are peers.
Georgetown invented the IR program. It was the foreign service school. SFS has always been known as “the Harvard” for foreign service.
Georgetown University ranked first in the world for its international relations master’s and undergraduate programs, according to 2024 rankings released by Foreign Policy magazine.The university also scored highly for Ph.D. programs focused on a policy career, coming in second.
The rankings are based on a broad survey of 1,500 foreign policy professionals administered by William & Mary’s Global Research Institute, including three distinct groups – international relations faculty, policymakers and think tank staff.
It is recognized as one of the top schools for international affairs globally. It is frequently ranked #1 for international relations master’s programs and in the top three for undergraduate programs by policymakers and faculty and it’s crazy this forum is clueless or purposely being obtuse.
Georgetown University is a top producer of U.S. diplomats and politicians, with 28 alumni and faculty serving in the 119th Congress (2025–2027). Known for its strong international relations program, it has educated at least 92 U.S. ambassadors and consistently ranks among the highest in producing congressional members, staffers, and chiefs of staff.
It’s where future leaders around the word come for education—royalty, presidents, etc.
I don’t disagree that Georgetown is better on this front but the gap between the two is more of a crack in the sidewalk than the Grand Canyon. Especially for undergrad, which really is not that important in this space.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 09:13
Subject: Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:both great schools for IR. will get a great education at both.
now cue the fighting about Georgetown's rats and mold vs Baltimore's crime and JHU being (gasp!) 50%+ Asian.
Not really.
SFS at Georgetown is like BME at JHU. IR at JHU is like BME at Georgetown.
It's crazy to put these two for comparison.
No, Georgetown is top for IR (helped by being closer to DC) but JHU is also in or near the top ten. They are closer peers in IR than they will ever be for BME, which Georgetown doesn't even have a notable dept of.
I don't know if you are serious or a troll. Georgetown is mecca of IR.
Saying they are close peers just because JHU rank near the top ten by a magazine?
Then I guess MIT and UDub are peers.
Georgetown invented the IR program. It was the foreign service school. SFS has always been known as “the Harvard” for foreign service.
Georgetown University ranked first in the world for its international relations master’s and undergraduate programs, according to 2024 rankings released by Foreign Policy magazine.The university also scored highly for Ph.D. programs focused on a policy career, coming in second.
The rankings are based on a broad survey of 1,500 foreign policy professionals administered by William & Mary’s Global Research Institute, including three distinct groups – international relations faculty, policymakers and think tank staff.
It is recognized as one of the top schools for international affairs globally. It is frequently ranked #1 for international relations master’s programs and in the top three for undergraduate programs by policymakers and faculty and it’s crazy this forum is clueless or purposely being obtuse.
Georgetown University is a top producer of U.S. diplomats and politicians, with 28 alumni and faculty serving in the 119th Congress (2025–2027). Known for its strong international relations program, it has educated at least 92 U.S. ambassadors and consistently ranks among the highest in producing congressional members, staffers, and chiefs of staff.
It’s where future leaders around the word come for education—royalty, presidents, etc.
We were at admitted day. My kid loved the number of global students in his group. Our tour guide was from London and there were students from Ireland, Columbia, Italy, Argentina in his small group.
^ my kid also really liked the diversity in the students. It’s down to GU and a state school and he knows about 50 kids headed to the state school and everyone he met at admitted day was from the same 30 mile radius.
Ha. Same. My freshmen got ribbed about going somewhere so close to home- yet her college friends aren’t all from VA (in fact- none of them are) unlike the kids ribbing her. We never see her even though we are nearby. Fully emerged in the school.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 09:05
Subject: Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:both great schools for IR. will get a great education at both.
now cue the fighting about Georgetown's rats and mold vs Baltimore's crime and JHU being (gasp!) 50%+ Asian.
Not really.
SFS at Georgetown is like BME at JHU. IR at JHU is like BME at Georgetown.
It's crazy to put these two for comparison.
No, Georgetown is top for IR (helped by being closer to DC) but JHU is also in or near the top ten. They are closer peers in IR than they will ever be for BME, which Georgetown doesn't even have a notable dept of.
I don't know if you are serious or a troll. Georgetown is mecca of IR.
Saying they are close peers just because JHU rank near the top ten by a magazine?
Then I guess MIT and UDub are peers.
Georgetown invented the IR program. It was the foreign service school. SFS has always been known as “the Harvard” for foreign service.
Georgetown University ranked first in the world for its international relations master’s and undergraduate programs, according to 2024 rankings released by Foreign Policy magazine.The university also scored highly for Ph.D. programs focused on a policy career, coming in second.
The rankings are based on a broad survey of 1,500 foreign policy professionals administered by William & Mary’s Global Research Institute, including three distinct groups – international relations faculty, policymakers and think tank staff.
It is recognized as one of the top schools for international affairs globally. It is frequently ranked #1 for international relations master’s programs and in the top three for undergraduate programs by policymakers and faculty and it’s crazy this forum is clueless or purposely being obtuse.
Georgetown University is a top producer of U.S. diplomats and politicians, with 28 alumni and faculty serving in the 119th Congress (2025–2027). Known for its strong international relations program, it has educated at least 92 U.S. ambassadors and consistently ranks among the highest in producing congressional members, staffers, and chiefs of staff.
It’s where future leaders around the word come for education—royalty, presidents, etc.
Correct, and correct!
Anonymous
04/20/2026 09:01
Subject: Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:both great schools for IR. will get a great education at both.
now cue the fighting about Georgetown's rats and mold vs Baltimore's crime and JHU being (gasp!) 50%+ Asian.
Not really.
SFS at Georgetown is like BME at JHU. IR at JHU is like BME at Georgetown.
It's crazy to put these two for comparison.
No, Georgetown is top for IR (helped by being closer to DC) but JHU is also in or near the top ten. They are closer peers in IR than they will ever be for BME, which Georgetown doesn't even have a notable dept of.
I don't know if you are serious or a troll. Georgetown is mecca of IR.
Saying they are close peers just because JHU rank near the top ten by a magazine?
Then I guess MIT and UDub are peers.
Georgetown invented the IR program. It was the foreign service school. SFS has always been known as “the Harvard” for foreign service.
Georgetown University ranked first in the world for its international relations master’s and undergraduate programs, according to 2024 rankings released by Foreign Policy magazine.The university also scored highly for Ph.D. programs focused on a policy career, coming in second.
The rankings are based on a broad survey of 1,500 foreign policy professionals administered by William & Mary’s Global Research Institute, including three distinct groups – international relations faculty, policymakers and think tank staff.
It is recognized as one of the top schools for international affairs globally. It is frequently ranked #1 for international relations master’s programs and in the top three for undergraduate programs by policymakers and faculty and it’s crazy this forum is clueless or purposely being obtuse.
Georgetown University is a top producer of U.S. diplomats and politicians, with 28 alumni and faculty serving in the 119th Congress (2025–2027). Known for its strong international relations program, it has educated at least 92 U.S. ambassadors and consistently ranks among the highest in producing congressional members, staffers, and chiefs of staff.
It’s where future leaders around the word come for education—royalty, presidents, etc.
We were at admitted day. My kid loved the number of global students in his group. Our tour guide was from London and there were students from Ireland, Columbia, Italy, Argentina in his small group.
^ my kid also really liked the diversity in the students. It’s down to GU and a state school and he knows about 50 kids headed to the state school and everyone he met at admitted day was from the same 30 mile radius.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 08:16
Subject: Re:Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Rats. Yeah. My kids go to HS in DC and see rats on campus. They also see dead rats in Arlington and when they visit cousins in NYC. The “rat lady” always pops up.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 08:14
Subject: Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:both great schools for IR. will get a great education at both.
now cue the fighting about Georgetown's rats and mold vs Baltimore's crime and JHU being (gasp!) 50%+ Asian.
Not really.
SFS at Georgetown is like BME at JHU. IR at JHU is like BME at Georgetown.
It's crazy to put these two for comparison.
No, Georgetown is top for IR (helped by being closer to DC) but JHU is also in or near the top ten. They are closer peers in IR than they will ever be for BME, which Georgetown doesn't even have a notable dept of.
I don't know if you are serious or a troll. Georgetown is mecca of IR.
Saying they are close peers just because JHU rank near the top ten by a magazine?
Then I guess MIT and UDub are peers.
Georgetown invented the IR program. It was the foreign service school. SFS has always been known as “the Harvard” for foreign service.
Georgetown University ranked first in the world for its international relations master’s and undergraduate programs, according to 2024 rankings released by Foreign Policy magazine.The university also scored highly for Ph.D. programs focused on a policy career, coming in second.
The rankings are based on a broad survey of 1,500 foreign policy professionals administered by William & Mary’s Global Research Institute, including three distinct groups – international relations faculty, policymakers and think tank staff.
It is recognized as one of the top schools for international affairs globally. It is frequently ranked #1 for international relations master’s programs and in the top three for undergraduate programs by policymakers and faculty and it’s crazy this forum is clueless or purposely being obtuse.
Georgetown University is a top producer of U.S. diplomats and politicians, with 28 alumni and faculty serving in the 119th Congress (2025–2027). Known for its strong international relations program, it has educated at least 92 U.S. ambassadors and consistently ranks among the highest in producing congressional members, staffers, and chiefs of staff.
It’s where future leaders around the word come for education—royalty, presidents, etc.
We were at admitted day. My kid loved the number of global students in his group. Our tour guide was from London and there were students from Ireland, Columbia, Italy, Argentina in his small group.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 08:12
Subject: Georgetown vs JHU ,major in IR?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:100% JHU. Better school plus prestige overall and also top notch for IR.
And they can avoid the rats and mold. NP and I can’t get over the reports from Georgetown. It’s enough to make my kid not apply.
Hasaaaaaaaahaaaaa omg!!!! Lady, let me let you in on a little secret: Baltimore has rats too. Signed, JHU alum