I'm passionate about anthropology and want to study it in a liberal arts setting. What are the top liberal arts colleges with strong anthropology programs? I'm looking for a supportive academic environment too.
There are quite a few liberal arts colleges that are well-known for their strong anthropology programs, and I'd like to recommend a few in particular.
1. Pomona College: Located in Claremont, California, Pomona College's anthropology department is highly-regarded and offers a thorough and diversified overview of the field, which is ideal students looking to specialize later on. They emphasize fieldwork and often arrange for many abroad opportunities as well.
2. Swarthmore College: Swarthmore promotes an innovative approach to anthropology, stressing the interconnections of social, cultural, and biological aspects of humanity. Swarthmore tries to involve students in research projects, even at the undergraduate level.
3. Haverford College: Haverford College, in Pennsylvania, offers an anthropology major that equips students with the methodological and theoretical tools of the discipline. The size of the departments makes for close student-faculty relations and individual mentorship.
4. Reed College: In Portland, Oregon, Reed College has an excellent anthropology department. It's a quite intense program, with a focus on student research and the senior thesis, but students report that it's also very rewarding.
5. Bates College: Bates in Maine offers unique opportunities for study in medical anthropology, environmental anthropology, and visual anthropology. The department also encourages anthropology students to study abroad during their junior year to gain practical fieldwork experience.
Remember, the best program for you highly depends on your personal goals and interests within anthropology. I recommend reaching out to the Anthropology departments at any schools you are interested in to see if they can provide more detail on what you can expect if you attend their institution. Good luck in your search!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.