<p>My top two choices have boiled down to a prestigious large public university near San Francisco and a prestigious, small LAC in Massachusetts.</p>
<p>I have political aspirations (Democratic/liberal) and I'm worried the small size of the town of the LAC won't allow me to pursue those aspirations, i.e. help with Party stuff, internships, etc.</p>
<p>But I think the intimacy and teaching and overall prestige of the LAC will be better-regarded and the grade inflation will help me in law school admissions as opposed to the university's grade deflation which it is known for.</p>
<p>For someone who wants to really get involved in politics and activism but still wants to know my professors and have freedom in my coursework/research opportunities, what would you advise?</p>
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But I think the intimacy and teaching and overall prestige of the LAC will be better-regarded and the grade inflation will help me in law school admissions as opposed to the university's grade deflation which it is known for.
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<p>\parental_sermon{on}
Aaah, political calculus at a young age, present at both sides of the isle. Just witness the butt-kissing going on between McCain and the "agent of intolerance", aka Jerry Falwell. It is so sad to see our children doing whatever it takes to get ahead when they are so young.</p>
<p>furgesson, you have a bright political future ahead of you wherever you choose to go. You have already shown you have got what it takes to succeed in the field. Good luck with your choice...
\parental_sermon{off}</p>
<p>P.S. Berkeley is one heck of a school for a true liberal who wants to prove his/her mettle at being able to deal with social issues and all kinds of people. Amhers.... eeeh, I am a bit too old for college, but if I did have to choose I would never attend a LAC, no matter which one --- the fishbowl atmosphere is not for me. Research has shown that school is what you make of it, and that people who follow their heart and do what they love are happier and better at what they choose to do than those driven by other factors.</p>
<p>P.P.S. Most professors love NOTHING more than a kid who has the courage to raise their hand in a large class and ask a meaningful, well thought-out question; a kid that comes prepared to class and does more than what is merely expected. Kids that want to know their professors get to know them, whether they are in a class of 20 or 200.</p>
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For someone who wants to really get involved in politics and activism but still wants to know my professors and have freedom in my coursework/research opportunities, what would you advise?
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<p>You essentially want an LAC. I don't think you should rule out the LAC because of its location. If it offers or fulfills most of your requirements for a school than big university does than go for that LAC. People in politics tend to be educated, and as such a top LAC education will be well regarded.</p>
<p>I can't speak to the specific choices here, and either would doubtless present many opportunities. I know, though, that many LACs have professors who are deeply involved in conventional and unconventional politics. Furthermore, the scale and demographics of college towns are often more amenable to significant participation by students than those of larger cities. But it's also the case that the student politics of flagship state universities often carry over fairly smoothly into the real, postbaccalaureate world.</p>
<p>The blunt truth is that no particular college will prepare you for political office (if that is what you want). You will be at home among fellow liberals at almost any college - but that form of indoctrination will not necessarily advance a political career. The unfortunate fact is that success in politics is all about raising money and cashing political chits. And you can start raising, or being involved in raising money, virtually anywhere. Put another way, a college degree is good for your own self-development - pursue it for its own intrinsic means - but to get in the political game - start volunteering, helping to raise money, and getting a feel for the frankly grubby game is that is politics - and that can be done anywhere.</p>
<p>UC Berkeley (there I said it!) has the UCDC program and various students from Cal have interned with Nancy Pelosi, Clinton and other influential Democrats.</p>
<p>Amherst, I believe, one must seek out internships alone, though I think given its open-curriculum it would allow a lot of flexibility in that arena.</p>
<p>Does where I go really matter, then? Berkeley professors are more well-known in politics than Amherst professors, but that is because of the research; will I actually get to know any of them or will I just be learning from the GSIs?</p>
<p>The top two Democratic Nomination contenders both went to top LACs, it's just that Barack decided to stray to Columbia and leave Occidental.</p>
<p>Maybe you're reading too much into it. It sounds like you're expecting the undergrad degree program at the college itself to define you to some extent and open up the political opportunities just due to the name of the particular institution. I doubt that'll happen.</p>
<p>I think you also need to take into consideration that you ARE seeking to potentially attend Law School. Why hinder your chances at a low gpa? I can only imagine Amherst gets recruited and has opportunities in internships that rival Berkeley's.</p>