No International Relations at Grinnell?? Wait...

<p>_Silence,
I’m thinking you’re right. The pride I’ll have in making my own major may offset the riggamarole it takes to make it. And yeah, outside the major, I think the school is a wonderful fit. Maybe the person doing her major in IR will still be there by the time I get there…and I can talk to her. :)</p>

<p>That’s the spirit! We’ll keep our fingers crossed for you. I’m sure you’d find that you will get the kind of education you are looking for at Grinnell!</p>

<p>Hi RoseBrigade,</p>

<p>I just want to throw in my own reassurances here, because I was actually in a spot similar to yours when I was applying. I want to join the foreign service too, and I nearly went straight into Seton Hall’s undergrad IR program before I chose Grinnell. I’m gonna major in poli sci now, but I only have to take 2 classes (including intro) that don’t have to do with international relations. I know there are several independent international relations majors right now, enough that there are actually plans in the works to establish an IR curriculum. They don’t know if it’ll be a major or a concentration yet, but it’ll probably be set up within the next year or two, at least by the time you have to declare. It’s in the initial stages now, with the student senate coordinating with the office of off-campus study.
And a quick tip: if you do come here, make sure you ask for a tutorial within the poli sci or econ department, because otherwise you’ll end up with a prof who has to spend a lot of time informing themselves before they can advise you, which can get tricky, and might make planning an inde major harder.
Hope to see you next year!</p>

<p>AWESOME. I hope they make it a major!! What does off campus study have to do with it? Hmm, hopefully the student senate acts quick!! I’m excited to think I might not have to pursue an independent major (though I will gladly do it). And I will definitely makes sure to get a professor who’s in the poli sci/econ department. How awesome ^_^</p>

<p>Thanks sarucane :)</p>

<p>I posted this in the Carleton forum and it was suggested I repost it here to hear the Grinnell point of view.</p>

<p>I was accepted to both Carleton and Grinnell, and I’d like to study international relations, with if possible, a concentration in Southeast Asia. I didn’t really like the vibe I got from the students at Mac when I visited, and I really liked what I saw Carleton. I plan on going to visit Grinnell within the next week or so. Which of the two schools has the best way to study IR (I realize there is no major at Grinnell), with as little political science as possible? Which one would be most willing to work with me to be able to spend an entire academic year abroad (specifically in Thailand)? Thanks</p>