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I'm applying Early Action to G-Town, and want to focus on politics. Obviously, DC's the place, but for a person with future aspirations of political office, would it be more beneficial to major in Government at the college, or should I go to SFS like Clinton did?

By Fallentear04 (Fallentear04) on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 04:21 pm: Edit

College.

By Efs424 (Efs424) on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 05:37 pm: Edit

i was wondering the same thing.

can you apply to both?

By Tlaktan (Tlaktan) on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 06:44 pm: Edit

No.

By Netshark2005 (Netshark2005) on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 11:19 pm: Edit

Even so, it's possible to transfer after a year or two, right?

By Shortcakefairy (Shortcakefairy) on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 01:32 am: Edit

Fallentear , why would the College be better instead of SFS???

By Fallentear04 (Fallentear04) on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 08:38 am: Edit

Because he said Poli Sci, not anything International. I'm not saying he couldn't go into politics right out of SFS, but truth be told you can go into politics after majoring in anything at college. Bush studied business, if I'm not mistaken.

Clinton followed what he wanted to do at the time. I'm sure he didn't know he was going to be president. netshark, however, knows he wants to go into politics and therefore should major Poli Sci.

By Netshark2005 (Netshark2005) on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 11:48 am: Edit

thanks fallen tear - that's what i basically figured. still, is it possible to take classes in SFS if I go to the college, for example a class madeleine albright teaches

By Bballplayer (Bballplayer) on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 03:16 pm: Edit

Def. go to SFS its very prestigous and looks better on ur resume. SFS is like the Wharton of business schools. A lot of there grads go into Diplomat service poltitcs law. But I heard u have to be fluent in a language before u can graduate

By Tlaktan (Tlaktan) on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 07:43 pm: Edit

The Wharton of Business Schools? I thought Wharton was the Wharton of business schools?

I may be mistaken, but I do believe there are opportunities for you to go across schools and take a course or two that suits your interest. I'll look it up.

By Sixsixty (Sixsixty) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 12:41 am: Edit

Bush studied business? Now that explains everything...

By Itziar (Itziar) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 07:04 am: Edit

You can only take SFS classes (and MSB classes) when you're COL if you apply to the college as a foreign language major in the FLL (Faculty of Language & Linguistics). People do transfer between schools, though, and I hear it's not *too* difficult. Still, SFS has a lot of requirements, so you might have to do a bit of catching up coursewise.

By Nosx (Nosx) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 05:21 pm: Edit

What is SFS?

By Northrams (Northrams) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 05:21 pm: Edit

its really a no brainer to apply to SFS if youre poli sci. the level of prestige is not even comparable between SFS and the college. and the fact is, entering politics straight out of college doesnt happen normally, and if it does (like if you want to be on a senator's staff or something) an SFS degree would certainly NOT hurt you. they wouldnt be like "well, he'll be good in the job and graduated from one of the most prestigious programs in the nation, but he doesnt have a poli sci degree, so he's out."

By Netshark2005 (Netshark2005) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 09:21 pm: Edit

well, I do plan to go to law school after, so I'm not heading STRAIGHT into politics out of undergrad. Plus, wouldn't SFS better prepare me for international politics and diplomacy than for American government?

By Tlaktan (Tlaktan) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 11:38 pm: Edit

Yes, that is very true, Netshark.

Political Science is more the in-depth study of the American form of government, so all the legal rhetoric and etc., would be in political science. Although it is not officially a "law school prep major" many people take it to get a good background in the workings of government before they move on to law school.

To my knowledge, the School of Foreign Service is more for the purpose of foreign relations training and development. Father Walsh, I believe, developed it for the purpose of expanding the knowledge of foreign relations to the youth of America.

I'll say go for the B.A. in Poli Sci.

By Sportula (Sportula) on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 01:51 am: Edit

If you want to go to law school SFS is the place to go. Apparently a ton of SFS students go to Law school and have a really good acceptance rate. Going to either the college or SFS isn't going to make or break your career so I'd worry more about what interests you-Domestic politics and the American political system, or the political systems/cultures of other countries and their relationships with the US.

By Clipper (Clipper) on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 06:39 pm: Edit

My daughter has the same career goals as you do. She is in SFS International Politics. She wants to go to law school and, according to most things I have read, you can major in anything and go to law school. She wanted SFS bc it is the harder and more challenging program and in this international world it would be beneficial to have the skills that SFS prepares you for. She spoke with a DC corporate attorney and he said they hired many lawyers who were graduates of Georgetown SFS because of their background. But you should choose what you will enjoy the most and will do the best in.
Good luck!

By Nosx (Nosx) on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 06:53 pm: Edit

err what is SFS?

By Calidan (Calidan) on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 08:20 pm: Edit

It's the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown- pretty much the only school of its kind in the nation!

My opinion: I think that you should go for SFS, since while Presidents do need to focus on domestic affairs, the idea of international affairs and relations is becoming so much more important in politics.

By Stanfordnualum (Stanfordnualum) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 02:11 pm: Edit

...while Presidents do need to focus on domestic affairs, the idea of international affairs and relations is becoming so much more important in politics...

i think the current president and vice president know less about poli sci than an average georgtown undergrad. apparently, you don't have to know much to be a prominent politician; connection is a huge factor; often being low and slimy seems to offer a faster track. the current adminstration is a good example. LOL!