Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

I'm going to be a senior in high school this fall and I'm really confused. I want to major in English and later on [*maybe*] go on to law-school. I live in Northern Virginia...I want to go to a university/college either in-state, in Maryland or D.C. I don't mind living on campus. My academic background isn't that strong, gpa being a B+ or an A-. I am taking AP/IB courses [four this year, three last year]. I recieved a 5 on the only AP exam I took last year. My SAT scores are yet to be determined. [I have registered for the fall SATs]. My SAT II scores weren't that strong...670 in U.S history but a lower score in English. I want to go to a not too big/not too small school in a suburban or city area. I want it to be relatively diverse and challenging as well. Please help me out.

By DUUUUDDDE on Friday, August 16, 2002 - 09:57 pm: Edit

If you want to stay around that area I would choose Georgetown......but if you want travel a little bit more I would choose one of those north eastern ivy schools. If you are def. about majoring in english, it is sometimes like splitting hairs to see what school has a better program.

By Dadster on Friday, August 16, 2002 - 11:17 pm: Edit

Scanning the Gourman rankings for English, Ivies and other elites dominate the top dozen... Virginia, though, comes in very strong at #21... That's the only one I saw that fit your geographic criteria, Saman. If you are doing English for pre-law, though, studying in a top ranked English department may not be the most critical factor. Finding a school that will be intellectually challenging and offer a learning environment that suits you is important. Since undergrad GPA is one of the components of law school admission, I'd also avoid any school where your stats put you at a big disadvantage compared to your classmates.

By Saman on Saturday, August 17, 2002 - 10:41 am: Edit

thx for those tips...however, I think Georgetown is way beyond my grasp. I'm pretty sure about majoring in english yet not absolutely confident about going on to law school. Do you think there are any good schools besides UVA and GTU around my area? I want to keep my options open, and since its not guaranteed that i'm gonna get into a school like GTU or UVA, i'd like to have some back up...but the kind of back up that I'll actually like. Any more suggestions? How about Mary Washington College's English program?

By Dadster on Saturday, August 17, 2002 - 12:13 pm: Edit

Saman, here's an alternative approach - ask the colleges you are interested in about their success in placing students in law school. Probably most will talk about their outstanding record in doing so, but by comparing their replies you might get a feel for who's not overstating the situation. Ideally, the colleges should be able to give you some concrete statistics.

Really, as an undergrad English major with law as a career interest, I think you should be looking at the overall quality of the undergrad education and college experience. Unless you plan to be an English prof and proceed to a PhD, you don't need a great English program so much as a great overall undergrad program. Putting that another way, unless you plan to be an English scholar yourself, there's not much advantage to studying under a prof who's written 15 highly-regarded books about Shakespeare but is an uninspiring teacher.

Based on the little info above, I guess I'd lean toward spending your undergrad years at a solid liberal arts college (if that kind of environment is appealing).

Try to do overnight visits at your top choices, and talk to plenty of current and former students. Understand, too, this is one person's opinion - only you know what kind of undergrad experience will work best for your personality, interests, and long-term objectives.

By Saman on Saturday, August 17, 2002 - 01:47 pm: Edit

hmm you're right. Seriously, that's what people have been telling me...especially since no, I don't plan on becoming an English Scholar or anything. I want an overall good college experience and yes I am considering Liberal Arts Colleges but not too many come in mind, especially around MD, DC and VA, unless maybe I haven't looked hard enough. If you have any names in mind, please recommend some and THANKS FOR UR HELP SO FAR.

By mattttt on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 - 07:05 pm: Edit

Washington and Lee University is a great school down in Lexington, VA, that hasn't been mentioned yet.

By rusty rooter on Saturday, August 24, 2002 - 10:02 am: Edit

Perahps consider W&M, UVA, Mary Washington College and james Madison, all VA in-state tuition bargains- all good prep ffor law school without getting into large debt for UG degree. There is a maryland LAC which is good, a hidden or overlooked jewel. good luck!