<p>If one wishes to pursue a career in either politics or communications (or even a combination of both) is Harvard a good school for this? I only ask because I absolutely adore Harvard and the rich history and diversity of the school, yet I also am very passionate about pursuing a career in politics and/or comm.</p>
<p>Kennedy school of Government?</p>
<p>Yes that would probably be the school I would apply to, but I’m wondering if Harvard is actually the right school for my career interests in working for government in a communications based position? Like say a campaign manager or something… Harvard is of course an amazing school don’t get me wrong! But I am wondering if it would be in my best interest to apply to Harvard or to say a DC based school based on my interests.</p>
<p>You dont have to debate whether you want to apply since it costs you $70 to apply and some time to do it. You need to worry about whether you are good enough to get in.</p>
<p>Right but shouldn’t I at least need to know whether I would want to go or not before I would apply? It would seem like a waste to apply to a college that wouldn’t even be a good fit for me in the end… There is no doubt that Harvard is a good school, but I don’t see anything on their website about communications/writing which concerns me, because as I stated above, I wish to pursue a combination of communications and politics.</p>
<p>Do your own research. You should put more time into researching this if you want to make a 4-year commitment to a school.</p>
<p>He is doing his own research. This is obviously why people come to this website in the first place…</p>
<p>Exactly… I’m going to visit the college this summer… but until then just though someone might be able to give me some input.</p>
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<p>There isn’t even a communications major at Harvard.</p>
<p>Yeah that’s what concerns me… I’m not sure if I would want to rule it out though, because they do have a major in political science / government which can involve communications related courses… Ah well, guess I’ll just have to apply and see what happens :)</p>
<p>OP, Harvard offers a number of courses relevant to campaigns, elections, etc. if that’s what interests you, e.g.,
Government 1328. Electoral Politics - (New Course)
Government 1362. Democratic Citizenship Public Opinion and Participation in the US
Government 1372. Political Psychology - (New Course)
Expository Writing 20.021. Representations of American Democracy and Government - (New Course)
[*Government 98ee. Elections and Electoral Fraud] - (New Course)
*Government 98nk (formerly *Government 90hf). Voters, Parties, and Elections in Comparative Perspective
*Government 1010a. Survey Design - (New Course)
*Government 1010b. Survey Implementation and Analysis - (New Course)
*Government 1013. Election Polling and Public Opinion - (New Course)
Economics 1370. Media, Democracy and Economics
Sociology 136. The News Media and the Political Process - (New Course)</p>
<p>For some practical experience, e.g., internships, there’s always the Harvard Institute of Politics: <a href=“http://www.iop.harvard.edu/[/url]”>http://www.iop.harvard.edu/</a></p>
<p>If you want to focus more directly on communication, then look at Penn [The</a> Annenberg School for Communication at University of Pennsylvania](<a href=“http://www.asc.upenn.edu/Students/Undergraduate/Program/Default.aspx]The”>http://www.asc.upenn.edu/Students/Undergraduate/Program/Default.aspx) or Northwestern [Medill</a> - Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/]Medill”>http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/)
[Explore</a> the Departments, School of Communication, Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.communication.northwestern.edu/departments/]Explore”>Academics: School of Communication - Northwestern University)
or George Washington
[Undergraduate</a> Programs - School of Media and Public Affairs - The George Washington University](<a href=“http://smpa.gwu.edu/academics/undergraduate/]Undergraduate”>http://smpa.gwu.edu/academics/undergraduate/)</p>
<p>zapfino, </p>
<p>Thank you very much, that was some very useful info! I plan to apply to GW and UPenn as well… Along with some other schools with great comm / political programs… I guess Harvard just offers gov courses then and not really any strictly communications courses.</p>
<p>If you do a quick Google search, you should find that Harvard is consistently ranked very high for political science. The idea of a liberal arts education is that you will be able to apply the knowledge and skill you gain through your courses to careers such as journalism, nursing, and so on. </p>
<p>Some other colleges you can look into are U of Rochester, U of Michigan at Ann-Arbor, U of Wisconsin-Madison, and U of Iowa. Also, try directing this question to the College Search forum on CC.</p>
<p>Harvard is something that you wouldn’t want to turn down no matter what major. You are going to make great connections and social networks there that will help you do what you want to do</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I think I am just going to apply and see what happens! Harvard has always been a dream school for me, but then when I decided I wanted to pursue communications and saw they didn’t offer that major I wasn’t sure… But I agree it would probably be crazy to turn down Harvard if you got in…</p>
<p>Apg, I don’t know about that :). Some schools that are less well known are much stronger for certain majors and potentially better choices based on what people are seeking in their college experience. It’s great that LoveEducation is actually researching the schools instead of applying blindly.</p>
<p>I agree calioco, all I’m saying is Harvard is a great opportunity regardless of major.</p>
<p>Calico* >_<</p>
<p>I absolutely agree it is. :)</p>
<p>Thanks guys I agree as well… I think at this point it is just a matter of applying to schools that definitely have great programs in my area of concentration, and then apply to schools like Harvard and UPenn to see if I can even get in, and weigh my decision from there! :)</p>