How can I determine the academic strength of and English, PR or Publishing program

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>How can I find out about the academic strength of a college's program. My daughter is just finishing up Junior year so we've got to get busy about visiting colleges this summer/fall.</p>

<p>She's most likely interested in an English, Public Relations, Publishing type of major...something reading/writing oriented.</p>

<p>Her GPA is 3.7 (weighted), top 20% of her class, SAT: CR-600, M-550, W-580</p>

<p>She would like a bigger school offering lots of activities and a surrounding area that has some interest too (We live in the sticks.) </p>

<p>I would like a school that has some way of drawing the freshman students in. She's pretty reserved until she feels comfortable and I don't want to see her hanging on the sidelines her entire freshman year trying to find a way in. I'm making her sound like a recluse and she's not, but she could use some encouragement. (Maybe I'm just reliving my own horrible freshman year!) Any ideas on that? Freshman seminars, honors programs, strong advising programs, mentorships?</p>

<p>We're thinking about:</p>

<p>Penn State
Indiana University of PA (Honors College looks interesting)
U of Pittsburgh
Virginia Tech
James Madison
UNC Wilmington</p>

<p>We're PA residents and would like to stay within 6 or 7 driving hours of eastern PA.
Thanks for your input!</p>

2

<p>I would definately look at Pitt. They have excellent English and PR progams. There is a large student organization fair at the beginning of the year. Also, they have a week's worth of freshmen orientation, and the Towers are all-freshmen dorms. Your daughter would have no trouble fitting in and getting involved.</p>

3

<p>That sounds just right. Thanks for the reply.</p>