Searching for the Best History Major in SoCal

Hi there! I'm a high school junior interested in majoring in history. Can anyone recommend colleges in southern California that have strong history programs? Thanking you in advance.

Southern California is home to a number of colleges and universities with notable history programs. Here are a few suggestions:

1. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): UCLA's history department is one of the top in the nation. They offer concentrations in areas such as Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern, Modern, American, African, Asian, Latin American, and Middle Eastern history. The faculty includes leading scholars in various fields and the resources available in and around UCLA (like research libraries and museums) are substantial.

2. University of Southern California (USC): Renowned for its expansive and diverse course offerings, USC's Department of History encompasses a broad range of geographical, thematic, and methodological fields. Its faculty receive high rankings for their research and tend to focus on public history, making it a great opportunity to learn from experts.

3. Pomona College: As part of the Claremont Colleges, Pomona has a strong liberal arts focus, and its history department is very highly regarded. They emphasize research skills, writing, and critical thinking. Plus, through the Claremont consortium, students can also take history courses at the other Claremont colleges.

4. University of California, San Diego (UCSD): Particularly strong in world history, UCSD's history department features esteemed faculty and research opportunities. Though it's not quite 'Socal' in the conventional sense, it may still offer what you're looking for.

Of course, the 'best' program will depend on your personal academic interests. Be sure to explore course catalogs and faculty research interests to gauge which might be the best fit for your passion in history.