I am super passionate about humanities and social sciences and am looking for the best colleges in the US that excel in these fields. Does anyone have personal experience or should I just look at rankings?
Although rankings can give you a general idea, they should not be the sole determining factor in your decision. Universities' strengths can vary greatly within a general field like humanities and social sciences.
That being said, some popular institutions known for strong humanities and social science programs include Yale University, Columbia University, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Yale is particularly renowned in the field. Columbia and Penn are among the Ivy League institutions recognized for their strong emphasis on a well-rounded Liberal Arts curriculum.
Stanford carries a robust Humanities Centre, with many specialized programs like the Program in Writing and Rhetoric that could suit your interests.
Liberal arts colleges like Amherst, Wellesley, and Swarthmore shouldn't be overlooked as they prioritize a holistic learning approach, allowing for in-depth exploration across humanities disciplines.
When considering these options, accomplishments of faculty members in your field of interest, opportunities like research and independent study, and comparing course selection should be factored into your research. Moreover, talk with current students, and admission officers, or arrange for campus visits (if possible) to get an even more comprehensive understanding of what suits you the best.
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