College vs SFS HELP!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Georgetown University
1

<p>So I'm really interested in languages, linguistics, literature, international relations, and international history. I would really love to become either a diplomat or work internationally in academia (two really different things... I know).</p>

<p>I already am trilingual and I want to learn more languages and study abroad which makes SFS seem like a perfect fit. I am particularly entranced by the SFS RCST major since it seems to be highly interdisciplinary and allows students to take courses about culture, economy, politics, and history. </p>

<p>My one big downfall is that I am afraid that if I major in RCST at SFS I won't be able to enter academia, particularly for linguistics and modern languages/literature. Could I still take a lot of courses in linguistics/psych/literature or get a minor from the college? </p>

<p>Also, if I am accepted to SFS, is it possible to switch to the college, or vice versa, after I am at Georgetown? I am 99% sure SFS RCST is for me but I don't want to find myself trapped if it turns out not to be.</p>

2

<p>I don’t think you can minor when in the SFS, but you can get one of these certificates, which are basically the same thing:</p>

<p>[Certificates</a> - Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service](<a href=“http://bsfs.georgetown.edu/academics/certificates/]Certificates”>Certificates & Minors - SFS - School of Foreign Service - Georgetown University)</p>

<p>You can use your electives on those other classes and it is easy to switch (if it’s before you get there in August, otherwise it kind of is a pain).</p>

3

<p>Does the RCST have literature and culture components, or is it purely economically and politically focused?</p>

4

<p>Course list:</p>

<p>[RCST</a> Courses - Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service](<a href=“http://bsfs.georgetown.edu/academics/majors/rcst/courses/]RCST”>http://bsfs.georgetown.edu/academics/majors/rcst/courses/)</p>

5

<p>So in your opinion, could I major in RCST with a lot of literature and language courses and still enter academia if I decide that is what I want to do?</p>

6

<p>If by “enter academia” you mean “apply to PhD programs immediately/shortly after graduating from undergrad,” then my answer would be “probably.”</p>

<p>Doctoral programs are interested in getting a diverse set of backgrounds for their (very small) classes of candidates each year. Even if it is a linguistics/modern languages/literature PhD program, they don’t want everyone to be coming from a nearly-identical background where they majored in that exact thing in undergrad. Obviously, you need to demonstrate major aptitude in that discipline that shows you can handle advanced work in the field, as well as independent pursuit of it (thesis, other publications, independent research, etc.), but you needn’t necessarily come from a specific major.</p>