Philosophy/ Creative Writing/ Indie music scene?

SBmom · 12-17-2007, 12:42 PM

My S is a junior who loves all of the above. He's a B/B+ student in an extremely challenging IB program. ~200 PSAT. Would love to go somewhere far from home (west coast). International schools fine as well. Probably LAC or small University (<7000 kids).

I have seen some Philo/Creative writing Master's programs but what about BAs with this combo-- does that exist?

I would love to hear your ideas.

jessiehl · 12-17-2007, 02:09 PM

It might be big for your tastes, but University of Georgia's music scene is *legendary*, to the extent that it has been called the "Liverpool of the South". From Wikipedia, "The city's musical reputation draws many tourists to the area; as much as 10% of the total visitors to Athens are attracted by the music, according to the Athens Welcome Center."

Music of Athens, Georgia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It offers undergrad majors in both English and Philosophy, and students are allowed to double major. And it's certainly far away from the West Coast.

SBmom · 12-17-2007, 04:17 PM

thanks, jessie

mrobbs1266 · 12-17-2007, 06:12 PM

Definetly look at Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass because its got a great reputation in those academic areas and Amherest itself has a great music scene from what I've heard. University of Vermont Burlington has a good academic rep. and Burlingtton has an incredible Indie scene itself. I don't know maybe a college like Reed or Lewis and Clark, but I'm not from the west coast. I do know that Portand got's a good indie scene as well and that reed has an incredible rep.

SBmom · 12-17-2007, 07:21 PM

thank, I will suggest he look these up.

I appreciate the help

teenage_cliche · 12-17-2007, 07:38 PM

Your first post was a bit awkwardly worded; do you mean that he wants to go away from home, home being the west coast, or that he wants to go away to the west coast?

If it's the former, I second Hampshire and add Sarah Lawrence and Eugene Lang, though I'm not sure if the last one has philosophy.

SBmom · 12-17-2007, 07:57 PM

To clarify, we live in California. Sarah Lawrence is a good call.

mrobbs1266 · 12-17-2007, 08:42 PM

How about Skidmore or Bard? Both are really great and super selective liberal arts college and from what
I've heard, Saratoga Springs is great for skidmore.

SBmom · 12-17-2007, 09:23 PM

Good ideas... I looked up Eugene Lang and it looks great, but here is my question: does it have any campus/cohesive feel? I worry about that aspect.

hollyert · 12-17-2007, 09:51 PM

Reed! Portland is no cultural desert, and it's excellent in philosophy, and pretty much everything else.

Also, Oxy in L.A. is in the west's most musical city (arguably, but you see I'm biased) is a beautiful school excellent in nearly every discipline.

TourGuide446 · 12-17-2007, 10:39 PM

Clark U. in Worcester, MA.

SBmom · 12-17-2007, 10:48 PM

Oxy is great but probably too close to home for him.

Thanks for all the good ideas.

joecollegedad · 12-18-2007, 02:20 AM

knox college in central Illinois is supposed to be good with creative writing.

teenage_cliche · 12-18-2007, 06:52 AM

About Eugene Lang:

From the online campus map (The New School - Campus Map, it seems as though most of the academic buildings are together, yes. And, living in New York City, I can tell you that that's a great neighborhood, full of the types of people and places your son would, I'm assuming just from the title of this thread, like. The residential buildings are more spread out, but I would guess that that might make students bond more with those in their building. I could, however, be wrong. It's probably best to talk to students about that.

ittknee · 12-18-2007, 10:36 AM

Sarah Lawrence is great for all of those things. Since the campus is close to the city, he could make a short trip there for the music (if he isn't happy with the on-campus music scene - which is amazing!).

Out of all those recommended, I would say that SLC might be a really good fit for your son.