it's over. move to somnia.

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The Incomplete Non-description of My Quick Trip to D.C. Last Week

I was recently accepted to two international relations (IR) programs for this fall: the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of The Johns Hopkins University* and the Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) at Georgetown University. Both great schools, both great programs, both located in beautiful Washington, D.C. (Well, sort of: on a whim, I applied for the SAIS-Bologna program, which would put me in Italy for a year, then to D.C. For God's own reasons, the school is letting me do it.)

Seems like a pretty easy decision: international adveturism in one of the world's favorite tourist detinations, or two years stuck in Oxbridge-on-the-Potomac? Yeah, I thought so, too.

Nevertheless, in a fit of practicality, I decided to attend their open houses--conveniently scheduled for last Wednesday and Thursday...and damned if they didn't both provide horrendously well-orchestrated presentations. I walked out of Georgetown thinking I'd be a fool not to go there: the program is more intimate, there aren't so many economics requirements, they actually have a certificate program in refugee and humanitarian emergencies (!), and the people were just plain friendlier.

But...Italy.

It's tough. There's so much to weigh. SAIS has language programs; MSFS actively discourages language-study during the program. MSFS has a campus with a gym and lawns and a library and stuff; SAIS is six blocks from the White House and two blocks from practically everything else in D.C. Georgetown makes no bones about being a religious institution, but Johns Hopkins has a reputation for pockets of shocking conservatism. SAIS is graduate-only; MSFS students cross paths with undergrads fairly often. The MSFS program enrolls 80 students per year; SAIS has around 300--but fewer than half of those will be in Bologna with me. SAIS students took me out to dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant; MSFS students took me out to a gay dance club.

Both are in the top five--perhaps even top three--IR programs in the nation. Both have massive alumni networks around the world. It would cost me the same to go to either. I cannot go wrong. It is, I have decided, basically a personality test. Maybe it will come down to the pitches they offered. SAIS said, "We are the best. You cannot go wrong here"; the MSFS program said, "We are not perfect for everyone, but we are very good at what we do. Make the choice that is right for you."

Hmmm...


*Yes, it is officially "The Johns Hopkins University." How definite of them.
peachy as always, Mike at 3:27 PM