<p>I'm a senior with a 4.0 including APs, NMScholar, 2100 SAT score (800 in Writing), and extracurriculars like newspaper, mock trial, track, speech and debate, etc. I am looking for a semi-small LAC for English and (possibly) a minor in Philosophy. Location is not really something I'm worried about yet. As far as English programs, from what I've looked at, I like all the course lists that most colleges have up on websites, so I don't know how to distinguish there. I am also a singer-songwriter on the side, and although I don't plan to study music, an environment rich in indie/folk/rock music would be nice.</p>
<p>My top choices so far are (many are 'reach', I am aware): Claremont McKenna, UC Berkeley, Amherst, Williams, Oberlin, Vassar, Swarthmore, Washington U in St. Louis, Vanderbilt, Bennington</p>
<p>I'm interested in a lot more, but those caught my attention as having good English programs and an environment I might like.</p>
<p>I am looking for either a.) some feedback on the specifics of the above schools
or b.) better suggestions.</p>
<p>In particular, I'm curious about Bennington College. I like a lot of what they had to say on their website, but I'm wondering how good their English program actually is.</p>
<p>I know that's a lot of info, but any response would be greatly appreciated as I am in over my head on all the great LACs!</p>
<p>As a Bennington student I’m always happy to tout the school. I originally transferred to Bennington for English, but last term I ended up writing my plan in Biology/Education (Bennington does this to people…). Scene wise Bennington is a pretty nice match for you, because much to my friend’s chagrin the music scene is entirely hipster-indie-folk-freak-folk kinda stuff. Score wise you’re a shoe-in.</p>
<p>Now what you can expect from Bennington in terms of English classes: there’s truth in the advertising, small, intense, writing heavy classes. You will get to know the core Lit faculty very, very well (and there are downsides to having a small faculty at a small school, if you don’t get along with one of the teachers, well…but on the upside you form close relationships which generally improve the experience, imo). Creative writing classes are rare (one highly competitive short stories class and a less competitive poetry class in the spring, with other classes about adaptations and play writing offered regularly), and the vision of the Lit department really is to better your writing through extensively examining great writers. Because of the small permanent faculty they bring in visiting professors every term for Literature, and they range from wonderful (one was just hired full time, and I have heard nothing but wonderful things about him) to kind of bad (Long story about a feminist nature writing course taught by a slightly insane lesbian poet), but the permanent faculty are all wonderful, and dedicated to teaching. </p>
<p>If you have any specific questions or want to chat drop me a message. I’m bored out of my damn mind waiting for the 31st to get here.</p>
<p>Your list is a little unusual-Amherst and UC Berkeley? Could two schools be more different? Rather than just focusing on a major-most good schools have good to excellent English depts and most students change their minds several times- why not spend more time figuring out the kind of academic and social environment you thrive in? Small, personal LAC-like settings? NE prep culture? Huge state universities with tons of variety? Laid-back, west coast vibe?</p>
<p>I think it’s okay to have different size and settings on your list. Keep your options open! I do wonder about your choice of CMC for the Claremonts; I’d imagine one of the others would be better for you. </p>
<p>Look at Bard. Great Engilsh department and very artsy kids, music going on everywhere. </p>
<p>Are you male or female? If you’re male, then Vassar is not a reach; it accepts 35% male.</p>
<p>Macalester also has a great English program for an LAC (with a Creative Writing major offered, which is unusual for a school to begin with). You might want to look at Pomona and Carleton as well.</p>
<p>I confess that I do not have inside knowledge or personal experience with any of the schools on your list except Amherst and Vanderbilt, but I have a friend who is an English/Creative Writing major at Oberlin and says that the department is great. The impression that I got when I visited Amherst was that they had a focus on the sciences, but also great humanities programs, so I’m assuming that they’re fine. Also, I believe Vanderbilt has a good program.</p>
<p>@M’s Mom: The only thing I am sure of is that I want to study English. Although I’m not really fond of creative writing, I assume I’ll have to take some courses in it either way. I would prefer a smaller-sized, intimate LAC with a, like I said, local musical community. The reason Berkeley and Claremont are on my list is because I live in Southern California and I want a couple close, yet good, options. Claremont McKenna has the best English program out of all the Pomona Colleges, but Pitzer also interests me. Berkeley and other UCs would also be a lot cheaper, so I want to apply for sure just in case.</p>
<p>To the others, thanks very much, I will look into those schools.</p>
<p>@mtangent: I believe you are misinformed about the Claremont (not Pomona Colleges). Pomona has a better English program than CMC. Look at Pomona’s staff. Pomona just hired renown author Jonathan Lethem for the Roy Disney Writing Professor (a prestigious professorship given to the likes of people such as David Foster Wallace, considered as one of the best authors of his generation). This is not to knock down CMC’s English Dept, but CMC’s real strength is Economics.</p>
<p>mtangent - you might want to think a bit about why you want to major in English. Do you want to write - fiction, non-fiction? Do you want to teach? Do you want to do research? Are you interested in becoming an editor?<br>
Also look at core requirements - those can give you a sense of what a school is like.</p>
<p>You’re looking at small LACs but you have UCB on your list?? I hope you’re in-state for CA. What can your family afford? What are your stats? In addition to Kenyon I would add Denison.</p>
<p>Hmm I guess I have been misinformed about Claremont. All the Pomona colleges seem great though.</p>
<p>@nemom: I do not want to be an author. I’m semi-interested in becoming a professor, as well as going into pre-law after undergrad (hence the philosophy minor). Other than that, I plan to just wait and see what else piques my interest.</p>
<p>@Erin’s Dad: I realize that’s a bit confusing, but I explained it in an above post. Yes, I am a CA resident. To be honest, most LACs are going to be a stretch financially, but I’m hoping for aid.</p>
<p>I think CMC might be a fine fit for the OP. It does have a very good English department - very much under the radar - and often offers courses I personally would have preferred to take than some of those at Pomona. CMC is really strong in debate (one of the top teams in the nation) and kids who love mock trial love it there. They also have a top notch track team. And, of course, the benefit of any of the Claremont colleges is that you can take courses which interest you at all of the other colleges - so the English departments of all four of the other schools are available. Philosophy is a strong major at CMC as well (and at Pomona.)</p>
<p>As for music - lots of music at the 5 C’s and students do go into LA to clubs, as well.</p>
<p>Really - from the OP’s self-description, Claremont McKenna is the first of the 5 C’s I would suggest.</p>
<p>Holy Cross and Bowdoin have solid English programs. Holy Cross(don’t have to be religious) has a long list of famous authors and a nice campus-1 hour from Boston. HC is also need blind for financial aid. Bowdoin great school with nice campus in Brunswick Maine is also SAT optional.</p>
<p>Take a look at Oberlin. Solid English Dept. and, because of the music conservatory and the type of student they attract, they have an abundance of music performances of all kinds. S’s friend, who sings a capella and acts, says the question his freshman year was “what do you play?” not “do you play?” He’s not in the conservatory, by the way-it’s just that the school attracts kids who want a LAC experience, top academics and love music and performing arts.</p>
I’m not sure what your need will be but some great recommendations here for schools that meet need (Reed, HC, Pomona). However, if you don’t have a defined FA need because your family makes too much money then you’ll need to look for merit aid which Reed and other schools don’t offer.</p>