English, history, or journalism

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a junior now and by the end of this year I'll have to start applying to colleges. The most difficult part of planning for college (besides actually choosing which colleges I'd like to attend), in my opinion, is selecting a major. I've been at an impasse with three majors, and I'm not sure which one would be most helpful in the long run.</p>

<p>I'd like to become a writer, or more specifically a print journalist, in the future. Idealistically, I'd like to write for The New Republic, Slate, The New Yorker, etc. Of course, these are just career dreams, and I have no way of knowing what I'll become.</p>

<p>I settled on English, history, and journalism as possible majors simply because English, history, and the school newspaper are what I most enjoy at school. A few weeks ago, I read on CC that a history major may be invaluable towards developing important skills for the journalism field. Also, I read that a journalism major may be too specific to have job mobility after college.</p>

<p>I've also thought of attending a liberal arts college that is strongly geared toward writing (i.e. Sarah Lawrence College).</p>

<p>What are your thoughts or suggestions? Obviously, I'm set on writing as a career, but I'd like to know what would help me most in the long run.</p>

2

<p>I think a dual major or dual degree in journalism/English or journalism/history would be adviseable, if you can handle it. Syracuse might be a good school for you. Also the Cronkite School in Arizona or maybe U of Iowa. I think Iowa State has a good journalism school too. Of course, Northwestern if your credentials are good.</p>

3

<p>Dual major is a good idea. Also, check out the student newspapers at the colleges that interest you. It's important to have hands on experience there--preferably all four years.</p>

4

<p>The dual major might be good, but I don't think the journalism major limits you as much as you might think. I know a journalism major from the University of IA who became a senatorial aid and is now independently contracting her time as an advisor to nonprofits. My cousin went to Sarah Lawrence and is now an editor at a major magazine. So...I guess the moral of that is it won't be a crisis either way;)</p>