<p>Hello,</p>
<p>This may be a bit lengthy, but I hope you take the time to read it and not pass it by because, honestly, I need advice and recommendations. </p>
<p>The summer before my senior year is coming to end, and I need to plan some college visits. I do not know exactly what I want in a college, because they're are so many factors (as I'll mention below). However, the one thing I am sure of is my major - History, specifically American history. I keep pondering on double majoring in journalism/writing also. </p>
<p>A few things I am sure of are these. When I visited UChicago, I was very impressed with the intellectual atmosphere. That is what I want in my college. I'm not concerned with the greek life, but definitely want there to be at least a mild party scene. I don't want a college like Ohio State ( I live in Ohio), because 25,000+ is far too big. I also don't want a little college with less than 2,000 like some LAC's. A nice campus is very important to me. Ohio University, although below my standards (no offense), has a beautiful campus for example. </p>
<p>My first choice would be Georgetown, in part because I would love to study history in D.C. However, I doubt I would make it in (though I'm going to apply). Other colleges I'm thinking about are Case Western Reserve, Miami at Oxford, William & Mary and UVirginia to name a few. Most of these choices are just from hearsay and minor research. </p>
<p>In summary with what I've said, I need a college with a strong history program, nice campus and is in the Midwest (close to Ohio) or East Coast. LAC or large University, name em all. I have a strong application, so the only colleges I ask you to leave out are the Ivy's and very top-tier schools.Just please provide some reason as to why they would be a good choice, and please do not post one of those garman's lists or anything like that as they do not help.</p>
<p>You're probably referring to Gourman (garman), which ranks programs by major.</p>
<p>Another resource to get an idea for schools is a book called Rugg's. I like Rugg's a lot more than I like Gourman because it doesn't rank, but rather it alphabetizes and separates schools by general selectivity. (Virtually all schools mentioned on CC would be in the highly selective category in Rugg's).</p>
<p>The frustration with Rugg's is probably that you don't know how the rankings were made, and what sort of research was done to support the decision to put a school in the book or not. Here's where you come in. It isn't that hard to examine different' schools' history programs, e-mail professors who study topics you may be interested, check out syllabi, grad school placement, etc. I don't think those are things that we as CC can necessarily do for you, unless some people have specific experience with a program.</p>
<p>If you like Chicago intellectual and low-keyness, I suggest considering: Tufts, University of Rochester, Johns Hopkins, Wesleyan, Vassar.</p>
<p>I think you would pretty hard-pressed to find a "bad" history program among the schools that rank in U.S. News's top 50. You should try to learn more about the schools' social scenes because U of Virginia is a lot different socially than Case Western Reserve.</p>
<p>Excellent point, Igellar.</p>
<p>I would suggest U Maryland College Park which is in a suburb of Washington DC. The Smithsonian Museum of American History is closed for renovations right now but is scheduled to reopen in the fall. The National Archives are in DC. College Park is just a subway ride away from the Smithsonian Museums. UMDCP is especially strong in US Colonial History. I would say it is one of the best in the US in early US history. Great campus, lots of fun, not far from Williamsburg, Philadelphia, NYC, Baltimore.</p>
<p>Look at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Similar in size and intellectual atmosphere to Chicago; Top 10 history department; Also JHU has a subsidiary campus and semester program in DC.</p>
<p>Case Western is the king of anti-social colleges, and it's really science-oriented. It doesn't seem like a good fit for your interests, IMO.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses, all very helpful. Anyone else?</p>
<p>William and Mary. Can't be beat for the items you list. It has a beautiful campus and strong history. You must visit to fully understand the vibe of the campus. Make arrangements to sit in on a class orat least email the professors</p>