Boston University vs GW for international relations: which is better for an undergraduate IR major?

George Washington has the edge for undergraduate international relations. Its location in Washington, DC puts IR students next to the State Department, embassies, think tanks, NGOs, and Capitol Hill, and that proximity matters a lot when you care about internships, policy exposure, and networking during the school year.

For internships, GW is hard to beat because students can realistically hold part-time roles in diplomacy and policy spaces while classes are in session. That creates a tighter link between what you study and what you do outside class. At BU, opportunities are still very real, but Boston is not the same kind of day-to-day IR ecosystem as DC, so policy and diplomacy internships usually require more planning and are less built into the weekly rhythm.

On the academic side, both schools offer serious coursework, language study, and faculty with global affairs expertise, but GW is more directly oriented toward undergraduate IR students who want applied policy pathways.

For career support and grad school preparation, GW benefits from being surrounded by alumni and employers in the exact sectors you named. That often translates into easier informational interviews, guest speakers, semester-time internships, and a clearer runway into diplomacy or policy work after graduation. BU is still a strong choice, especially if you want a larger university experience in Boston with solid global affairs training, but for undergraduate IR specifically, GW lines up more directly with your goals.