<p>How is the English program at George Washington? Do they put any emphasis on writing?</p>
<p>It’s decent.</p>
<p>Uncommon major here.</p>
<p>It’s not a major that’s emphasized, nor popular. </p>
<p>GW isn’t known for this program, either.</p>
<p>That’s what I thought :/</p>
<p>If I did want to study English in DC, is there a school that you would recommend? Or should I look elsewhere?</p>
<p>What about majoring in journalism instead?</p>
<p>At least there’s some “real world” application to that can land a job easier. Majoring in English? Can’t teach English at a college without an MA or Ph.D. Low pay even if you do. </p>
<p>I will say that I enjoyed some of the English Lit classes I took at GWU. While it’s not quite a major that can easily land you a job, and while GWU isn’t known for it’s English majors, they were pretty decent classes. If you want DC, and want GWU, it’s a fine program.</p>
<p>GWU does offer a pretty good variety of literature classes, from Jewish literature studies to Chaucer to contemporary literature and standard stuff. Pretty enjoyable lit professors. </p>
<p>GWU does offer a 5-year BA/MA combined program. If you’re majoring in English, you had better plan on an MA. And, internships/jobs during college relevant to PR, marketing, lit.</p>
<p>And, DC itself has nice opportunities. There’s museums, internships at Smithsonian (hard to get with many applicants), government internships (be a photocopy kid), etc. Regardless of major, DC offers a number of employers for jobs/internships, museums, special events, and a cool experience. It’s an experience city and an expensive college… think carefully about the likelihood of getting a high paying job as an English major. If you can cough up $200,000 cash for college, by all means, go for it. Having $100-200,000 in student loans for college with a BA in English to show for all that money would suck. Writers, editors, literature reviewers, etc. aren’t known for making great salaries. Think carefully about how much college debt you’ll have versus how much money you’ll make in your desired field. </p>
<p>What do you want to do with that English degree? Pre-law? Be a professor? Teach ESL?</p>
<p>Other schools? There’s American or Georgetown in DC. </p>
<p>I would worry more about majoring in English… unless you want an academic career. In which case, get the BA/MA 5 year program in English from GWU, get some lit or PR internships, and pursue academia. </p>
<p>Highest ranked English programs are probably:
- Middlebury (Vermont)
- Princeton
- UNC - Chapel Hill</p>
<p>Well, I want to be a writer, but that’s probably just going to get me lectured. Journalism wouldn’t be a bad alternative though.</p>
<p>I probably won’t major in English because it is impractical, but it’s just very important to me that I go to a school where English is taken seriously, because at my high school it’s basically a step up from lunch in how seriously everyone takes it (and it’s not enjoyed nearly as much). Even if I don’t major in English/creative writing, I want to go to a place that has a decent amount of English majors because I want to meet people with common interests. I feel like at an overwhelmingly science-y school, I wouldn’t have as much in common intellectually with the other students (and that doesn’t mean I can’t make friends, but I’ve spent the first 17 years of my life being friends with science-y people and I just this to be something I have in common with the people I meet in college). It’s really important to me that I go to college to learn, not just receive job training, and that I can have intellectual conversations about things that matter to me rather than just get the job with the highest salary. </p>
<p>I’m aware that Georgetown and American are the other schools in DC, and they are (correct me if I’m wrong) most known for political science/international relations/social studies type of stuff. Which one would you say has the best English program? Or should I look elsewhere for a literary atmosphere at college?</p>
<p>I should add that for me, this is more of a “vibe” issue than an academic issue. You know, in the same way that students prefer big vs. small schools; liberal arts colleges vs. big universities; party schools vs. more studious institutions; urban schools vs. rural schools- it’s not directly related to their major, but it does affect how they’ll feel at college.</p>
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<p>I’m surprised you’re considering GW. It’s never been a place where people go crazy for knowledge a la William & Mary; getting an internship, or working for the government, is much, much more important for students here than having intellectual discussions about the merits of Chaucer vs. Milton. As you said previously, look elsewhere for a “literary atmosphere.”</p>
<p>English departments have different vibes at different schools. The GW department is more alternative – it does a lot of queer studies/women’s studies type stuff; Shakespeare is not required, but minority literature is. Some people love that stuff; others prefers to discuss the classics. What appeals to you?</p>
<p>The Georgetown English department offers more leeway in what you can do with your major. If you want to focus on the classics, go for it. If you want to focus on transnational modernism, that’s cool, too.</p>