Tulane Political Science

fallenchemist
Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:01:42 +0000

Hi Laxboy - Frankly it is the wrong question to ask. I mean that in the nicest, most helpful way, really. As an undergrad, you more want to look for the school that challenges you best academically as well as the one you feel fits you best in terms of size, location, sports scene, whatever is important to you. All these schools will give you a GREAT undergrad education, in any area you pick probably. Well over 50% of students change their major after the first year, so even if you think you are sure, at least allow for that possibility with yourself. After all, there are subjects in college you haven’t even been exposed to as a high school student. That is one reason schools like you mention require you to take a variety of courses in different areas.

Also, I want to make sure you understand that at Tulane, all undergraduate students are accepted into Newcomb-Tulane College, and are only officially assigned to a school (Science and Engineering, Liberal Arts, etc.) within that college after they declare a major. So even though you told them you wanted to be a Poli Sci major, it doesn’t really make any difference to them. It is a great system that makes it very easy to change majors the first year, even well into the 2nd.

So having said that, it of course makes sense to have some idea about the department you are leaning towards. Tulane has a very good Poli Sci department, and has a related major called Political Economy that has become very popular. [Tulane Admission: Political Economy](http://admission.tulane.edu/livecontent/programs/69-political-economy.html)

You might also be interested in knowing the James Carville taught for a semester last year and is associated with the university. I am sure Georgetown can trot out many famous names, and studying politics in DC obviously has some advantages. The flip side of that is there are so many other students studying the same thing there (DC area, not just Georgetown) also.

But you should definitely do yourself a favor and look at your decision holistically, not focusing on any particular department. You will be much happier for it in the long run.