I am currently a high school junior in the midst of my college search. I feel that it would be easier to narrow my search as I narrow my choices for a major. I am interested in working in some way in politics or public policy, but am unsure about a college major, as well as the top schools in each major. Now, before I am barraged with responses about the meager pay, poor job prospects, and quixotic nature of my career aspirations, I know. I understand that in choosing to pursue a career in politics I am likely to never move past acting as an aide to a more successful and wealthier politician, and I realize that I will more than likely need to earn a degree beyond undergrad. I have a passion for this field, and therefore I want to know which majors and schools give me the best opportunity to be successful.
Everything I have read has said that a political science degree is pretty much useless, but what about public policy? Do you agree that a polisci degree limits you? There are only a few schools that offer public policy undergrad, but I am interested in the program at William and Mary. Am I better off pursuing economics or communications? Also, what about a government major? Opinions on law school?
Beyond the more obvious choices (Ivies and DC schools), are there any schools with particular programs that seem to fit my interests or strong reputations in the field? I have done some of my own research but am interested in any opinions or personal experience.
It is not true that a degree in political science is "pretty much useless." Most jobs in the field that you are entering will not require or even necessarily prefer one major over the other; they will want someone who has certain skills - problem-solving, public relations, communicating with others, analyzing and synthesizing large amounts of information, writing, presenting/public speaking, etc. Any major that can teach you those things - paired with internships in the field in which you can hone your skills - will help you. Many politicians and others in the political sphere (political correspondents, journalists, advisors, aides, etc.) majored in political science or another social science in undergrad.
In very general, I think that the undergraduate college is more important than the major. This isn't graduate school; you're not picking a department or a concentrated area of study. Only about 1/3 of your coursework will be done in your major; the rest will be general education and elective courses to build breadth across the liberal arts. Especially in politics - where connections are important - it's far better to be a political science (or even English) major at a school with the network and connections to get you internships at top political agencies and positions than it is to be a government major at a school that doesn't have that network.
You can major in anything, especially if you are aware you will need or want a graduate degree to advance.
Remember that every state has a government and a capital, and that it may actually be easier to get internship work in a state or local government than at the federal level. You might have an easier time in Sacramento or Atlanta or Austin than D.C.
With that said, check out Claremont McKenna; that school is known for the government major and the political involvement of students. Rice, in Houston, has a public policy major as well. Wesleyan University has a government major. Skidmore College also has a government major, as does Lafayette (government & law), Bowdoin College, Hamilton College, and Connecticut College.
If you are in-state to UVa, they have a politics major with a government concentration.
It would probably be helpful if you shared your stats and/or what level of college you are looking for (elite? mid-range? Lower-tier?), as well as your home state.
^This is good advice. Enjoy your college major, whatever it is. Enjoy your college. Learn to speak, read, write, research, work hard, and work in groups. You can find a career in public service no matter what you major in. Your major is not necessarily preparation for your career but for a skill set. Start by choosing a college, not a major, as long is there’s no chance you would switch to engineering or some major that not every college has. Transferring can be expensive.