<p>what schools? (reaches,matches,safeties) </p>
<p>what major? politicial science? other</p>
<p>what to work for after graduation? </p>
<p>how to rise up in politics? </p>
<p>where to start after college?</p>
<p>bumperoo !! hehe</p>
<p>what a loaded question. georgetown is the center of the political universe as far as colleges go. its location in DC allows a large percentage of students to intern with legislators and other federal employers. its school of foreign service is a great place to "start." the ivy league also offers a great place to 'start.' HYP have unrivaled alum bases, many of whom are in politics; doors are immediately opened if you are ambitious, personable, and graduate with an ivy degree in poli sci, IR, economics, etc. W&L is also known to turn out a high number of politicians/judges (per capita) b/c of its Williams School of Commerce, politics, as well as its close proximity to the Capital, and powerful alum base. if you want a LAC and plan to go into politics, i see no better option than W&L. however, your best bet lies with the ivy's, georgetown if you want a large research institution.</p>
<p>if I cannot get into these schools, would a lesser DC school like Catholic University of America do?</p>
<p>yes, catholic and american, becuase of their location would give you a slight advantage if the others arent options.</p>
<p>George Washington probably makes more sense than Catholic. But college is what you make of it. Catholic can help you more than Harvard if you're active and take advantage of being in DC to intern like crazy and get really involved in politics.</p>
<p>It's not that I'd prefer GW or American to Catholic, its just that I want to be able to get into some school.</p>
<p>getting into politics and becoming a politician are two very different things. </p>
<p>if your goal is to get into politics, the above suggestions are fantastic. but id stay as far away from dc as possible if the goal is to BECOME a politician. a case study to illustrate my point:</p>
<p>*one of my best friends is currently attending the honors college at his states flagship university. in addition, he serves as an elected member of his home districts school board and is quite active within local republican politics. EVERYBODY whos anybody at the local level knows him, so much so that the republican us senator running for reelection this year just made him his campaigns campus liaison. my friend didnt even ask for the position.</p>
<p>another of of my friends is studies international relations at george washington university. she served as a page one summer several years ago and has gotten several decent internships in washington. shes not involved in any way with local politics because shes in dc year-round.</p>
<p>both are set to graduate next spring.*</p>
<p>the point of this is that, yes, it is all about networking. but going to a big college in the city isnt networking with the right people if you want to become a politician. befriending the locals, getting your name out in your home county, is whats going to get you in line when that state rep office opens up. having a big, shiny degree isnt.</p>
<p>of course, there are some communities in this country that value elite educations more than others. in these communities getting an 'elite' education is not a bad thing. but in most of america, staying local and getting involved at that level is going to help a whole lot more.</p>
<p>What actions do you recommend for teens currently in High School. (sophmores?)</p>
<ul>
<li>Stay familiar with current events</li>
<li>Intern for a politician (try the state level if you can't find anything at a national level)</li>
<li>Work on a campaign (or two) if it's election season</li>
<li>Get involved with school activities such as Leadership, Junior State of America, Model U.N., debate, etc.</li>
<li>Look into the Senate page program and the United States Senate Youth Program. If you can get them, they look great.</li>
</ul>
<p>GTown, HYP, GWU and American are all great Undergrad IR schools.. but are there schools in the south or midwest that also have good IR programs ? Except Macalester</p>
<p>Location, location, location. If you're interested in the national political scene, you can't do much better than some of the above-mentioned D. C.-area schools. The internship opportunities there must be wonderful.</p>
<p>in a lot of cases, you are better off going to your state Uni which helps you build in-state contacts. It also makes you appear like a regular guy/gal.</p>
<p>I agree with ericatbucknell. If you want to become a POLITICIAN, as you you want to run for public office someday (assuming something big, ie, congress, Senate), it's actually probably a good idea to steer away from Washington. Most elected officials like to try to come across as Washington-outsiders, they have more appeal that way. Being more familiar with a local voting block, rather than the subculture of Washington D.C. will be much more advantageous towards your political profile. </p>
<p>However, if you want to get into politics as in work with Congressmen/lobby/assist/write/journalism, Washington's a good place for you. Only there can you build the connnections for top jobs.</p>
<p>Let me make a suggestion -- Go to the House and Senate web sites - house.gov senate.gov -- and look up some of the members of the House and Senate. They often say on their bios where they went to college and what they did before coming to Congress.</p>
<p>Almost all politics is about money and how money flows, is apportioned, etc. - through the government and between the gov and private sector.</p>
<p>I think all politicians should be financially sophisticated. (Heaven knows that is not the case). I suggest majoring in Econ/Finance with a Polit Sci minor, or similar. Go to work in the real world (non-governent) perhaps in healthcare, communications, or some other industry with heavy regulatory oversight. AN international focus would help. See the way government interacts witih the private sector.</p>
<p>That will give you insights into real issues of government and what does, and does not, work.</p>
<p>Georgetown or George Washington. You would be in D.C, and you can do internships and things like that on capitol hill. Georgetown is more selective, but I think that their financial aid is better.</p>
<ul>
<li>be prepared to spend a life under constant scrutiny</li>
<li>be prepared to look good in front of a camera (or on the internet)</li>
<li>be prepared to make a ton of friends and your share of enemies (the higher you go the more you'll owe and the more people will try to bring you down)</li>
<li>be prepared to sell out / compromise every value you hold dear to the point that you won't remember why you got into politics in the first place </li>
<li>be prepared to give your life for the public and get very little thanks in return</li>
</ul>
<p>and if you eventually make it, you can write a book of memoirs for millions of dollars and can go on the public speaking circuit and charge 10s of thousands of dollars for each appearance. THEN you might have some real power and can make a difference... maybe... its a long shot.</p>
<p>you make it sound so attractive ...</p>
<p>
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you make it sound so attractive ...
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</p>
<p>why sugar coat it?</p>