Noah J.
Yelp
I got a master of arts degree at Georgetown in one of its less-prestigious schools (i.e. not the School of Foreign Service or McDonough Business School). The education was mediocre at best. I had some great teachers, don't get me wrong, but the curriculum was not particularly rigorous. My BA in the same subject (at a state school) was far more difficult. I thought I would be building on my prior knowledge, but alas didn't; furthermore, the cohort size of almost 50 meant I also didn't build particularly close relationships with professors or feel like the environment fostered stimulating discussions. Most of the students were foreign, which I have no problem with, and in fact was one of the best parts. Yet the large class size, the proportion of students from abroad, and the lack of structure and support in the program gave the impression the degree was mostly hawking the name for our resumes, in exchange for exorbitant fees (and for some students providing visas). My one-year program cost over $50,000 for what I would call a decent, but not stellar, education. Having researched and applied to state schools in my home state, I came away feeling like I could have gotten a better education for about a tenth of the cost (not including the expense of living in DC, one of the most expensive metro areas in the country).
And yet. Since graduating several years ago I can't help but acknowledge that, indeed, having Georgetown on my resume helps. I hear "Ooooo, Georgetown" from time to time, and get the feeling I've gotten some interviews I wouldn't have without it. I had a great time going there, and loved living in DC; however, I think I would have enjoyed any master's program, and could have had fun living in other major American cities.
What frustrates me about Georgetown is that I subscribed to the charade that is elite education--and it works. While I don't think I should be treated any different than someone who went to the University of Vermont, I am. And that is exactly what I paid for. So if you are thinking of applying, I'd say this: it is expensive, and the education isn't any better than somewhere else, but it works. It gives you the gravitas and credibility that comes in handy sometimes. Just like a Louis Vuitton handbag, people will be impressed by it, and will know it is a fancy brand name, but in the end a cheap tote bag holds stuff just as well and costs way less money.
The campus is funny, visually. When you walk in the main entrance you are met by a beautiful scene. There is a grassy courtyard, spotted with gorgeous old trees (as long as it isn't winter). Around the perimeter are magnificent, imposing, stone buildings that make you feel as if the place is of historical consequence. Yet as soon as you leave this courtyard the rest of the builds are drab brick-and-or-concrete rectangles. The architectural style could be best described as boring (besides the business school, of course, which is a giant, modern, glass monstrosity). Thus the school is sort of like a Potemkin village. It looks very impressive at first glance, but upon further inspection is rather mundane. The same can be said of the education.
Five stars for teaching me a lesson about the economics of brands, for all the fun I had, for having a nice courtyard, and for probably helping me get a job.
