George Washington University vs. Brandeis for political science: which is better for undergrad?

George Washington is the stronger overall pick for undergraduate political science. Its biggest advantage is location: being in Washington, DC puts you close to Congress, federal agencies, think tanks, embassies, advocacy groups, and political media during the school year, not just over the summer. For a student who cares about both academics and hands-on political experience, that access matters a lot.

GW’s political science environment is built around that ecosystem. Students can pair coursework with internships more easily, attend policy events and speaker panels constantly, and make use of nearby institutions as part of their education. The Elliott School also adds to the broader politics and policy atmosphere on campus, even if you remain a political science major rather than international affairs.

Brandeis is a very good school with a serious academic culture, and its politics department has strengths, especially for students who want a more intimate setting and close faculty interaction. Undergraduate teaching tends to be personal, and the campus has a strong intellectual tone. But it does not offer the same immediate day-to-day access to political institutions, which is a real difference if internships and public affairs exposure are high priorities.

For department feel, Brandeis may be more tight-knit, while GW can feel more professionally oriented and connected to real-world politics. If your goal is to study political science in a place where the classroom and the political world constantly overlap, GW has the edge.