Hello,
I’m a college senior who currently feels like they’re drowning in the college search process. I have been a good student my whole high school career (with the exception of one quarter junior year when I went to a mental hospital for agoraphobia) and feel very invigorated, passionate, and excited to learn… But I don’t know where to do it! I’d like to be a forensic psychologist, so I’d like to major in psychology and minor in criminal studies (or possibly a double major), but I’m also very interested in writing, game design, arts, etc. It’s also possible I’ll want to be a high school history/psych teacher… But, I’d really love a college strong in psychology.
I visited Hamline University in the Twin Cities my sophomore year and fell in love with the campus, but I visited it again this year, and… I still like the campus, but the class I sat in on (Criminal Justice in America) was extremely easy. I knew everything the teacher said. Afterwards, a student told me that was a typical class day. Was this an outlier of a class? Is it okay to have classes that seem to be common sense? Or maybe that particular topic simply came naturally to me? I have heard good things about the forensics program and creative writing programs at Hamline, but does anyone know how good the psychology program is?
I’m also interested in Carleton College, but I am not sure if the courses they offer will be adequate for my major. Though it seems to have a much higher rating than Hamline, so does that matter in the end?
Will either of these colleges allow me to have an engaging academic experience and get into a good grad program for forensic psychology? (I’ve also applied to Macalester College, Augsburg College, and Gustavus Adolphus.) I just want to be able to enjoy my experience in college both life-wise and academically, and I’m really starting to panic about the proverbial doors closing on my future if I go to this college or that college, even if I receive good grades.
I have a 3.8 GPA and a 32 on my ACT if that helps.
Thank you, and I’m sorry for the long first post…
Would you prefer a college near your family and home?
You appear to be in Minnesota. Did you apply to the U of MN? The median ACT of students attending Hamline is 24, far below yours - thus the classes will seem really easy. Macalester, Carleton and the U should be more your speed.
@siliconvalleymom Yes, I definitely would.
@bouders Thank you for the prompt and succinct advice. I think I just needed a straight answer like yours rather than all the iffy stuff everyone around me in real life was giving me. Thank you again <3