Suggestions, Phil Dept important

blossom
Mon, 18 Nov 2013 10:36:47 +0000

OP- I think you need to help your son create a hierarchy in order to evaluate schools.

What’s most important- debt free full ride? Then he may need to compromise on some social or religious aspects. Small size and respected philosophy major? Then he may need to compromise on Biblical Hebrew or may be looking at a moderate amount of student loans. Lots of academic freedom to pursue many things at once vs. a strong core? Etc.

Don’t try to solve this equation for 6 variables simultaneously. Figure out the one or two most important elements of the search, and then go from there. I’d be happy to start throwing out random suggestions for you… but what’s the point?

You should also know (which I’m sure you do) that the vast majority of 17 year olds change their majors, career plans, etc. several times. While your son seems committed to something in the Philosophy/Theology/Classics space right now, don’t ignore the possibility that he may find enthnomusicology or anthropology or Art History just as compelling once he discovers them. And he may decide that he needs fluency in German or French for grad school, and two ancient languages are sufficient. Or that he wants to attend a grad program in Archival Preservation or Art Restoration, and so needs a few semesters of chemistry/materials science in addition to the content classes. Etc.

Just saying- don’t try to slice the bologna too thin here. If the money is going to drive the search, encourage your son to look for colleges with some or most or part of what he’s looking for intellectually, and be prepared to compromise a bit on the social aspects.

And he may find the academic orientation at a place like Chicago even more to his liking than a more doctrinally focused theology program at a Christian university. Take a look at the non-classroom opportunities as well- who comes to speak? Give seminars? Dean’s Teas or debates? Summer jobs editing professors books or cataloguing in the university museums?