American Graduate School in Paris (AGS) - Paris

Rachid Lasri

sa la bon ecole

Bebe T. H (Ebonee)

I'm a former student of this school and wanted to chime in with my fellow alumnae to discuss some of the great things about this school. First, the staff and faculty are overwhelmingly fantastic and incredibly supportive. I had some exceptional circumstances arise during my studies and from the financial aid to academic advisement, I was met with so much kindness and flexibility that completely wowed me. That is the best part of this school because it's small, you're able to get the kind of attention that larger schools can never give you. You're also able to be more flexible with your course load/ assignments because each student is treated individually and not only as numbers. The second reason why this school ranks highly for me is it's access to practitioners in the field of IR, like former ambassadors, heads of NGO's and employees at UNESCO/ OECD. It's refreshing to have professors who know more than just theory/ academic ideas that don't fly in the real world. It makes you feel like you're getting an education that can actually help you with your work and not just pass a class. Lastly, the location of this school is great. Right in the middle of Paris at the Alliance Francaise, which allows students to participate on their events and take classes. We're also near quite a few other University's which gives us access to other students and learning communities. Overall, I think this school does a lot of things well and depending on your attitude and focus, it's a great place to prepare for a career in IR.

Lishka Blodgett

GREAT School with a GREAT mission. Things that are so important to our life and our human experience are usually not taught in schools or in our society. Here is a school with a mission who are finding that this is a subject of the highest importance in life and in our educational system. I am so happy that they exist and that they are doing their best in the struggling hope that Peace and Democracy are possible. Thank you for being there!

Blanca Sandoval

I am a former graduate student from AGS, my experience has not been at all like that. Yes, I had a few disagreements with the administrative staff but be realistic that happens everywhere! What I was able to get here are professors that teach in the best institutions in Paris and former ambassadors who truly care about education in a more one on one scenario just like it happens in AGS. These same professors teach in bigger schools but students do not have access to them as we did in AGS and for that I am very thankful! This is a small school, but the level of education is not at all relative to the size of its student body, I dont think I would have had access to such experienced educators (in practice and in theory) in any other school. John and Jennifer, give some sustainable arguments about what you are complaining, indeed your rants not only show a low level of education, but are of the nature of a spoilt child -which I strongly doubt has anything to do with the education you received, and failed to capitalize, from AGS.

Cassandra Pate

This review is for the IR school only. I have no experience with the MBA program. Please make sure the reviews you read are from actual student, as some of them are not.

This school is very small and therefor has all the problems that small colleges and departments do. I definitely would have applied to some larger universities in Paris had my french been better or they had courses in English, simply because bigger universities have better alumni/networking opportunities. And yes, it costs just as much as the other American universities do (including AUP) and yes the fines for not submitting your thesis (NOTE: THESIS, not class assignments) late are annoying. The easy solution to that is don't submit things late. You have all year to plan ahead.

But, the weird tumblr someone started it totally unfounded appears to be written by someone completely unprepared to grad school, regardless of where they would have went. Half the things are there are completely made up and whiney. If you're repeating classes it's because you're failing them. And if you're failing them it's because you're just not going to class or doing the work. Period.
The administration can seem a bit clique-y and difficult at times (small school problems..my tiny undergrad engineering department at a big university was the exact same way) but the professors/faculty are great. They include Ambassadors, OECD and UNSECO staff, and visiting professors from other schools. The professors definitely make the school and they are amazing.

Kailin Mundt

I am so happy I chose this school to receive my M.A. It is definitely hard work but I have a whole team behind me at AGS, definitely my home in Paris!

Ruchi Anand

The only one of it's kind! International relations and diplomacy (MA & PhD) in the heart of Paris with international students and professors, housed in historic Reid Hall.

Jenna Williams

This place is so full of dysfunction, I don't know where to start. This has definitely been a horrific experience. For a cost of over $80,000 it is not worth it! I can see the faculty have been busy adding their own reviews.