<p>Hi everyone! I just got off the wait list at Emory University and am not sure if I should choose Emory over Berkeley. IMO academically the pros of Berkeley are an amazing poli sci department (ranked 6) and the cons are huge classes. Emory has a solid poli sci department (ranked 25th) and small classes and more student teacher interaction. What do u guys think?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>We’re ranked 25th? In what publication and what category of polisci (I know the Ph.D programs in polisci are ranked well, but I didn’t know any of them were in the 20s. Pretty good for a younger private school)? The ranking for the Ph.D program will likely not influence the undergraduate education (This is because these mainly attempt to measure research quality and scholarly productivity, not necessarily job placement and certainly not teaching and mentoring, so it has nothing to do with the academics you think of) and I would not trust any publication attempting to rank an undergrad social science or humanities program, and maybe not even science (I can trust engineering though), so I would disregard it unless you already plan to do a huge research project with a major faculty member you know of there. And plenty of such faculty exist at Emory and are likely much more accessible because of the smaller environment. Plus, if you are open to something other than law after graduating, the east coast is slightly more convenient I guess (in terms of being closer to DC and other major political internships and opportunities). Also, I took several polisci and history classes at Emory (though I was essentially a double science major) and the small size of them did make a huge difference (in terms of the level of discussion that could be had and the types of pedagogical techniques used. Plus, a lot of the professors are simply excellent at running their course along with mentoring) and I hear that even the larger (probably don’t get as large as Berkeley’s. Maybe only as high as 60 per section at Emory) intro. level sections are run very well as the floor is still open for discussion and a deeper engagement with material because they have breakout sessions. I’m not sure about Berkeley, but Emory for undergrad polisci or history seems excellent from my perspective. If you are big into the prestige and Berkeley is cheaper, just go to Berkeley. If you do indeed care about the way courses are run and the potential for student-teacher interaction, then consider Emory. This is just in terms of your polisci experience. You need to consider other differences at each as well (quality of life, academic and intellectual climate, the difference between huge public vs. medium private, demographics, location, etc).</p>
<p>Thanks! Also, do u know how many kids major in Poli sci at Emory?</p>
<p>I’m not exactly sure, but it’s one of the most popular majors (it’s huge) especially if its numbers are combined with international studies. Actually, here: [About</a> the Department | in Atlanta, Georgia at the Political Science Department, Emory University](<a href=“http://polisci.emory.edu/home/about/index.html]About”>http://polisci.emory.edu/home/about/index.html)</p>
<p>Apparently 500 majors, but keep in mind, many are double majors so classes aren’t large and as competitive as you would think because many also have reqs. for other depts to complete.</p>