Best Schools for an Interest in Politics

<p>I'm not necessarily interested in political science; however, I am interested in politics as a career - for instance, I'd love to be an adviser or ambassador (I'm nearly fluent in Arabic; I'll take some courses in college). That said, I don't really know which schools would be best for that interest.</p>

<p>I know University of Chicago has a great Political Science program, but I don't know if that translates to success in the actual field. I've heard good things about Georgetown (which makes sense, given its location), but I still dunno.</p>

<p>Any input is appreciated. Thanks guys.</p>

<p>For a political career stateside, you might consider Claremont McKenna. Government is a very popular major there.</p>

<p>Foreign/international relations is a different animal though. Some well-known programs are Georgetown, Tufts, Cornell, and Middlebury.</p>

<p>Tufts, Georgetown.</p>

<p>These schools are a little lower in standards compared to the schools mentioned before, but George Washington University and American University are very strong in political studies, and they are located in Washington DC.</p>

<p>Being in DC is perhaps the best thing you can do for yourself, in terms of internships, real world experience, making connections, etc.</p>

<p>So I'll second the recommendations for GWU and American. They're excellent poly sci schools. There are also quite a few in the surrounding area, such as UMD, which is quite strong.</p>

<p>Advisor or ambassador? Advisor in what sense? Ambassador is a job given to those who have worked in politics for years, and generally requires no skills, knowledge of foreign relations, language skills, or even knowledge of the country to which one is becoming ambassador.</p>

<p>If you want to begin in politics by working in campaigns, you might find both political science and marketing useful to you. Or communications. Or behavioral psychology (my field). </p>

<p>As for working in politics, remember that most politics are local. You can start in a national campaign, but you'll be stuffing envelopes and knocking on doors for a long time, because those working in that campaign in higher level jobs are tops. If you start in a statewide campaign, you'll probably get more opportunities, so you can attend college anywhere, build a reputation and then move up.</p>

<p>Another way to go is to get on the staff of a sitting member of Congress. I know a young lady who did that with her Harvard credientials. In fact, in DC, Ivy League credentials in that sort of job seem fairly common, so that might be a way to go.</p>

<p>Finally, look up the CVs of people in the top political consulting firms. That will give you a clue.</p>

<p>I would advise you to choose a school based on your academic interests over your professional interests or a school's reputation for a certain job field. A University of Chicago degree (or a degree from another top school) will do anything you want it to.</p>

<p>Claremont McKenna ?</p>

<p>Washington and Lee</p>

<p>You should also consider colleges in cities that are state capitals. Vanderbilt in Nashville and University of Wisconsin-Madison come to mind. I know students at Madison frequently get internships with the state government.</p>

<p>UC Berkeley is pretty close to Sacramento.</p>

<p>If you are interested in LACs, Willamette University in Salem, OR has a good political science major and many of their students intern at the State Capitol, which is (literally) across the street from the campus.</p>

<p>On the note of state capitals...</p>

<p>UT Austin is supposed to be really good too.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the replies.</p>

<p>Okay, this is semi-related: if one wants to become a Representative, what's the best way to go about it?</p>

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Ambassador is a job given to those who have worked in politics for years, and generally requires no skills, knowledge of foreign relations, language skills, or even knowledge of the country to which one is becoming ambassador.

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<p>Actually, there are two categories of ambassadors, political appointees and career diplomats. Posts in politically sensitive countries generally get career diplomats who definitely have well developed resumes, plenty of experience, knowledge and language skills.</p>

<p>Chicago is better in my opinion. Why? classes are hard.</p>