College Counseling: Great Schools for International Relations Programs

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Saturday, November 29, 2014

Emily Standish, GoLocalPDX College Admission Coach

The world becomes smaller and smaller with immediate internet access to global culture and political developments, teenagers are keenly aware of the interconnectedness of world events. The number of colleges and universities that have majors in International Relations continues to grow. Programs in International Relations are multidisciplinary curriculums that encompass history, economics, and political science combined with languages, anthropology, geography, law, and human rights. Here are five colleges with well-respected majors in International Relations:

American University, Washington, DC 

• AU students have the opportunity to choose internships from forty countries and 900 private, nonprofit or governmental institutions
• The Global Scholars Program is an accelerated program within the School of International Service that awards the BA degree in three years and the MA degree during the fourth year at AU
• By the numbers: 43% acceptance rate; SAT mid-ranges CR  590-690, M 570-660; ACT mid-range: 26-30

 

Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

• Nearly all International Relations majors study abroad in their area of concentration and most IR majors become fluent in at least one foreign language
• Students can choose to live in Residential Colleges such as Global College, Languages and Cultures College, Social Justice College, Humanities College, and more
• By the numbers: 30% acceptance rate; SAT mid-ranges CR 580-680, M 620-720; ACT mid-range 27-31

 

Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, CA

• Beyond required courses in government and economics, CMC students may take elective courses within a thematic or geographic focus.
• Summer internship opportunities abound, at world-wide locations such as the United Nations, The Carter Center, Doctors Without Borders, and the CIA
• By the numbers: 12% acceptance rate; SAT mid-ranges CR 650-740, M 670-760; ACT mid-range 30-33.

 

George Washington University, Washington, DC

• At the Elliot School of International Affairs at GW, students begin with a core curriculum in the humanities, social sciences, sciences and foreign languages, then focus on an internationally oriented major
• The summer seminar “US Foreign Policy in a Global Era” allows undergraduates to participate in discussions with graduate students and professionals from around the world
• By the numbers: 34% acceptance rate; SAT Mid-ranges CR 590-690, M 610-700; ACT mid-range 27-31.

 

Macalester College, St. Paul, MN

• Macalester offers many majors with an international focus, including Human Rights and Humanitarianism, International Development, International Studies, and Community and Global Health
• Macalester’s Model United Nations delegation routinely wins awards at National MUN
• By the numbers: 34% acceptance rate; SAT mid-ranges CR 620-740, M 610-710; ACT mid-range 29-32.

 

There are dozens of other colleges and universities in the US with strong undergraduate programs in International Relations. Check out Earlham College (IN), Davidson College (NC), Dickinson College (PA), Georgetown University (DC), Johns Hopkins University (MD), Lewis & Clark College, and Tufts University (MA), or search “international relations” at http://www.collegenavigator.gov. ;

Emily Standish is a partner in Portland, Oregon-based College Admission Coach LLC which helps students identify and gain admission to right-fit schools where they will thrive academically and personally. Contact her at [email protected].

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