<p>I am interested in East Asian Studies as an undergraduate major, and was wondering if anyone else around here was also. I am looking at several colleges, but am concerned over differences in the programs. I don't want to just study a language. I am particularly interested in chinese history. I'd like to hear from people interested and i'd also be open to any advice from others. Thanks.</p>
<p>Kevets,</p>
<p>I studied Japanese as a minor at UCLA, and also studied some Chinese just for fun. UCLA offers excellent courses in Chinese history and culture, as well as a pretty good Chinese language program.</p>
<p>Other schools that kick ass on the EA studies front are:</p>
<p>Berkeley
Stanford
Harvard
Yale
Michigan
UC Davis
UC San Diego
Columbia
Brown
Penn
NYU
and honorable mention to Colby College</p>
<p>If you are particularly interested in Chinese history, then I further recommend UCLA, Harvard, and Berkeley. UCLA has the imminent C. C. Huang, as well as Richard Baum. Harvard has the great tradition of King and his followers, and Berkeley is well...Berkeley.</p>
<p>Hope that helps. For the record, I'm applying for my MA in EA studies, and most of the schools I listed are part of my personal list.</p>
<p>Thank you very much. That's awesome that you are going for a masters degree. Do you know what you eventually want to do as a career?</p>
<p>Eventually, I'm either going for my PhD or civil service (State Dept., etc.)</p>
<p>Just schools that come to mind ... columbia, stanford, michigan, cal, harvard</p>
<p>Besides Colby, are there any other LACs whose programs stand out? Or is it better to go to a place where one can get more depth within the major?</p>
<p>I tend to be slightly opposed to choosing an undergraduate program based solely on a major because you simply are unlikely to really require the resources of a particularly spectacular department for an undergraduate study program. My recommendation is that you look for a school that fits your needs first, then afterwards consider the strength of the major. I realize that "needs" and "department strength" are not necessarily mutually independent, but you really need to think about how well you'll fit in there. </p>
<p>I mean, if you prefer Pomona to say Colby or Yale or wherever, then you'll do better in the program, even if it isn't the number one program in the world. </p>
<p>That, and who knows, you might end up switching from East Asian studies to applied mathematics.</p>
<p>Thank you UCLAri. Your point is well taken.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>I tend to be slightly opposed to choosing an undergraduate program based solely on a major because you simply are unlikely to really require the resources of a particularly spectacular department for an undergraduate study program. My recommendation is that you look for a school that fits your needs first, then afterwards consider the strength of the major. I realize that "needs" and "department strength" are not necessarily mutually independent, but you really need to think about how well you'll fit in there.<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>With that said, if you do decide on a field of choice and know what you want, choosing a great department might be a good idea. That is because though you might not take full advantage of what the dept has to offer, you are likely to be exposed to professors, theories, and research that are top in your field. And because you know what you want to do and you are motivated, you have a great department at your disposal that you can somehow exploit it. Just a thought.</p>
<p>That is true, and of course the flipside to my general philosophy of fit over rank. </p>
<p>Nonetheless, I'm not advocating that the students give up Harvard for University of Podunk, but consider amongst the top choices which school is the best balance. After all, if you hate your school, you'll never do well.</p>
<p>Still, of course, top departments are a good thing to have around you.</p>