<p>Hi everyone, </p>
<p>so I'm deciding between Case, American U and Swarthmore currently. I want to major in International Relations although I know Case is bigger in the engineering department. AU didn't give me as much money as Swarthmore did although AU has a better program for what I want. Swarthmore, while it may have incredible prestige (one of the top 3 liberal arts schools in the U.S) it also doesn't have my specific major although it has a program in which you can start your own major. Does anyone know how easily this can be done at Swarthmore and how recommended it is? Case Western also gave me an incredible financial aid package awarding me everything but 10k (best package i've received)
So, any input?
Thank you!</p>
<p>No matter how prestigious a school is I cannot recommend that you go somewhere that they do not have your major. Chances are that you can cobble together your own major, but will the school really have the experts that you want in the classroom or the contacts that you need when you look for a job?</p>
<p>You may want to consider how absolutely sure you are about your major. While all of the schools you have listed are very good, Swarthmore stands out as exceptional. My son was strongly considering Swarthmore, but chose Case in the end because he wanted a program where he could fully engage in Engineering Science (in a hands-on way with a lot of research opportunities). He didn’t feel he could get that at Swarthmore. I don’t know if the same limitations hold true for International Relations. But, I do know Swarthmore is very strong in the humanities and also has a conflict/peace studies major. They are also very well known for “Design your major” options. Could you supplement with classes at Haverford/Bryn Mawr, or a class/two at U Penn? I would contact Swarthmore to see whether other students at the school have put together programs that would satisfy your needs. They are very flexible/creative in that way. Finally, if you are already thinking that you would be interested in a graduate program, then Swarthmore would give you an excellent foundation for that. Last point, you need to decide what kind of undergraduate environment you are looking for. Swarthmore is an extremely intellectual liberal arts setting with a very small program - Case and AU are much larger, university and city-based. Both Swarthmore and Case are schools with very academically serious students.</p>
<p>I’m confident that, just because they don’t have the major, Swarthmore would work with you very closely in making sure all of your needs are met. Don’t pass down a fantastic school just because you think you want a certain major before you even start college. Call their admissions department and talk to some professors! </p>
<p>Sent from my DROID RAZR using CC</p>
<p>I have several friends in that major at Case and they are all very happy! A lot end up double major/minoring in public policy or political science, as they are all intertwined!</p>
<p>It would be difficult to turn down Case Western’s great financial package.</p>
<p>Katie,
My son is a junior at American University in the School of International Relations. Write to me at <a href="mailto:mary@horvaths.org">mary@horvaths.org</a>, and I will let you know all the things that make AU better for this area of study. On the other hand, my other son would like to go into physics/chemistry/material science/engineering, and Case is the better choice.</p>