Which of these 3 is the best college for English major?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I wasn't quite sure where to post this, so I will try here first.</p>

<p>I applied and got into 2 prestigious liberal arts schools--amazing for English--but my parents won't pay for it so I have my 3 backup schools to choose from. I have really no desire to go to one over the other, so I am looking for the best for English.
I want to do SOMETHING with English (w/ a concentration in creative writing for sure) and maybe minor in communications speech/rhetoric or something. I am looking to be an editor or do publishing or eventually go into something with magazines (writing or editing). Yes, that is all very broad and strung out, but I am not quite sure what I want to do, just as long as it has to do with me writing...and making money! (which I know my major doesn't really lead me to..)</p>

<p>Anyways, the colleges are:
University of Georgia, University of Iowa, University of Wisconsin-Madison</p>

<p>I am extremely worried that I will not be able to find a job after college, or that I will not have many opportunities, or not have good professors in English. Yes, I have delved into the colleges and personally know the stronger points in each, but I want to know your opinions.</p>

<p>PLEASE do not tell me that an English major is a waste of time, and especially don't tell me to go to journalism or find something more practical.
I am simply asking, in your opinion, which would be the best choice for someone looking to major in English and pursue a career pertaining to English? That's it. Thanks! :)</p>

2

<p>I’m thinking UW-Madison, I have some friends there who are English majors and they personally like it a lot academically.</p>

<p>I don’t know too much about it though, sorry.</p>

3

<p>Congratulations on your acceptances! I don’t have any real experience, but my personal choice would be University of Wisconsin-Madison. They have the strongest name recognition and supposably a good English department as well (only what I’ve heard through word-of-mouth, so again just my opinion). Good luck wherever you end up! :)</p>

4

<p>is there any way you could garner money for your prestigious liberal arts colleges? yes, they are expensive, but don’t be so quick to dismiss options! are scholarships available that you could apply for?</p>

5

<p>Iowa is best for creative writing, though English would probably go to Wisconsin.</p>

6

<p>English is the type of major where you really should go to the college you like best overall, unless if you have some special interest that a college specializes in.</p>

7

<p>What Hope2getrice said–Wisconsin for English, Iowa for (graduate) creative writing. Since Iowa’s UG creative writing is still unproven, I would go for Wisconsin. Look at the courses and make sure you like the focus (e.g. theory vs. history).</p>

8

<p>UGA ;)</p>

<p>I’ve heard Iowa is great.</p>

9

<p>You know, an undergraduate degree in English isn’t anything like a MFA Creative Writing program. It’s probably the most common undergrad major. You really shouldn’t have to worry about the department, just the campus / overall school you like best.</p>

10

<p>Thanks guys. I was leaning towards Iowa just because I used to live there and liked that I already know the state. I know it isn’t much to base college off of, but it is the only thing that seems to help me delineate between everything.</p>

<p>I haven’t been offered any scholarships or aid at Wisconsin though…so if Iowa gives me something, I think that will be the winner. Also, I am going to try to get in-state in Iowa if that is even at all possible.</p>

<p>However, if Wisconsin is light years better than Iowa for English and I will have a much ‘easier’ time getting job oppurtunities, I will for sure put Wisconsin ahead. Help! I am so indecisive!!</p>

11

<p>The least expensive one. I don’t think any one of them is much better than the other.</p>

12

<p>Iowa has an amazing creative writing program at the masters level; I’m not sure what of that applies to undergraduate.</p>

13

<p>Ok, I know people get ticked when hearing this, but is it REALLY true that the name on a degree doesn’t really matter? I hate the fact that I won’t get the name recognition at UGA, Iowa, or Wisconsin that I would at the Ivy or lib arts school. I know I can’t help the situation, but I am still trying to figure out if it does give an advantage or not.</p>

14

<p>Name recognition doesn’t work for some majors. A creative writing major (minor?) is not going to be helped by an Ivy degree if he or she is not what the company is looking for (different from them or not up to their standards). An English major… well, I’m not sure what an English major does, really, but if you’re going into education, it doesn’t matter. I had a music teacher with a PhD from the Berkeley School of Music, or something (some school in MA). I was like, that’s great, but you’re making $40,000 working at a crappy school in the middle of nowhere just like the teachers who graduated from Frostburg.</p>

15

<p>At which other schools were you accepted? How different are their financial aid offers.
If you don’t mind me asking…</p>

16

<p>I know this may seem a really ignorant question, but I haven’t thought about FA much yet…</p>

<p>Can an 18 year old unilaterally enter into student loan contracts without participation of the parents?</p>

17

<p>It would be extremely unusual (since I doubt an 18 year old would have much collateral on which to borrow). You’ll need a cosigner.</p>

18

<p>Both Iowa and Wisconsin have two of the best graduate programs in creative writing. This means that, if you take creative writing, you will be taught at first by graduate students (who may be influential themselves one day) and then, if you’re lucky, by some of the best writing professors in the country.</p>