Which is better for starting a political career: Boston University or Georgetown?

The biggest practical tradeoff is Georgetown’s day-to-day access to Washington, D.C., versus Boston University’s access to Boston’s state and city politics, policy organizations, and a broader urban university experience. Georgetown students can pursue internships during the academic year at congressional offices, federal agencies, think tanks, advocacy groups, and political media without leaving campus for a semester. BU offers strong opportunities in Massachusetts government and civic organizations, but many Washington-focused students build their D.C. experience through summers or a semester away.

For a career centered on federal government, national policy, diplomacy, campaigns, or political consulting, Georgetown has the clearer built-in advantage. Its Washington location makes informational interviews, guest speakers, alumni events, and part-time policy work more accessible, and its government-related academic offerings are closely tied to the city’s institutions. Georgetown’s political culture can also make it easier to find peers who are actively seeking Hill, agency, and policy internships.

BU is not a weak route into politics. Its political science and international relations opportunities, connections in Boston, and access to Massachusetts’s active public-policy environment can be especially valuable for someone interested in state government, urban policy, public health policy, education, or local organizing. BU may also offer more room to explore politics alongside journalism, communications, data, public health, or other fields that can strengthen a policy career.