Hello everyone, I'm doing my junior year of high school and English Literature is my absolute passion. I want to pursue a major in it and want to hear some of your top college picks for this field. Thanks in advance!
Hello there! It's impressive to see you've already discovered your passion for English Literature. There are quite a few schools renowned for their English programs.
To start seeing the top dogs, Harvard and Yale both have robust English programs and house expansive literature collections in their libraries. Columbia University's literature program is uniquely influenced by its core curriculum, encouraging a holistic understanding of Western philosophy and socio-cultural movements. Stanford is a strong choice, too, with particular emphasis on literary criticism and theory.
If you have an inclination towards cross-disciplinary studies, the University of Chicago could be an ideal choice. The curriculum features literature in conjunction with philosophy, history, and the arts.
The English program at UC Berkeley is also noteworthy, especially if you're interested in critical theory and postcolonial literature. Similarly, UCLA has a renowned English department that covers a wide range of areas within the discipline.
Don't forget to explore the Liberal Arts Colleges: Amherst College, Williams College, and Swarthmore College, for instance, stand out for their strong English programs.
Lastly, when considering colleges to apply to, think about the setting, class size, campus culture, etc., aside from purely academic factors. Remember that where you'll be the happiest and most comfortable will also be where you're most likely to succeed acadically. Good luck on your journey!
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