So I've decided that English is definitely the major for me. But which colleges out there have the best programs for English majors? Better if they also offer good internships and post-grad opportunities.
There are numerous colleges that are known for having strong English programs, many of which offer lucrative internships and post-graduation opportunities. Keep in mind that certain schools may have a specific focus or strength within their English department (such as creative writing or literature analysis), so it's a good idea to check out the curriculum and faculty excelling in your areas of interest.
Two Ivy League universities, Columbia University and Yale University, have widely acclaimed English programs. Columbia's English program is particularly strong in terms of literature history and text analysis, while Yale boasts a renowned faculty and offers a wide range of concentrations, from poetry to postcolonial theory.
If you're interested in creative writing, consider the University of Iowa, home to the Iowa Writers' Workshop, one of the best-known Master's of Fine Arts writing programs in the world. While it's a graduate program, the culture and offerings trickle down to the undergraduate level.
Also on the list is the University of California, Berkeley. It is highly regarded for its English department, particularly with scholars in the field of critical theory. The program is rigorous and offers a good balance between creative writing, rhetorical theory, and literary analysis.
Another school to consider is the University of Pennsylvania. It has a unique system where English majors can specialize in specific concentrations such as writing, literature, or cinema studies.
Worth mentioning too are liberal arts colleges like Amherst College and Williams College which provide smaller class sizes and more engagement opportunities with faculty. These colleges have excellent English programs and often provide a well-rounded education that can be a great foundation for careers in diverse fields like journalism, education, law, and publishing, to name a few.
Most of these schools provide ample internship opportunities, particularly in the summer, for English majors, and their alumni networks are robust and active, which can be immensely valuable for post-graduation opportunities.
Remember, the "best" program will vary based on your specific interests within English, whether that's creative writing, literary analysis, or something else entirely. Reviewing the specific offerings, faculty, course listings at the schools you're interested in will help you make the right choice for your academic career.
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.