College Questions

[rockin_amigo14]

Well, I think I've finally settled on what I want to do. I'm not sure how practical it is, but I plan to major in U.S. History, and minor in Acting/Musical Theatre. I'm not set on the minor, as I might consider music performance, but my minor will be some form of performing art.

Now, my guidance counseling center is absolutely worthless, as is the Collegeboard website. So I turn to you all. I have a few questions:

1.) Aside from being a historian or a teacher, what else can I do with a major in U.S. History? Do you think I could go to law school and become a lawyer with that kind of major?

2. ) What schools are good for U.S. History, or are they all about the same? I know the general specs of a college I want. Not a huge university ex: University of Maryland: College Park. Just too big for my taste. And I'd like to stay away from the city. A suburban area would be nice. The school my brother is going to is just the campus, a shopping center, a hotel, and that's it for about 5 miles.

3. ) Is that kind of major/minor even practical? I know they aren't really related, but I love performing too much to just completely give it up. Any opinions?

My general stats: My cumulative unweighted GPA is about a 3.8. I scored a 1930 on the SATs, and am still undecided on whether or not I should take them again in the fall (would not mind hearing opinions on this either). I will not take the SAT II. I am a member of student government and NHS.

So if anyone could offer any insight on anything I mentioned, I would be most appreciative.

 

[plus_c]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockin_amigo14 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, I think I've finally settled on what I want to do. I'm not sure how practical it is, but I plan to major in U.S. History, and minor in Acting/Musical Theatre. I'm not set on the minor, as I might consider music performance, but my minor will be some form of performing art. Now, my guidance counseling center is absolutely worthless, as is the Collegeboard website. So I turn to you all. I have a few questions: 1.) Aside from being a historian or a teacher, what else can I do with a major in U.S. History? Do you think I could go to law school and become a lawyer with that kind of major? 2. ) What schools are good for U.S. History, or are they all about the same? I know the general specs of a college I want. Not a huge university ex: University of Maryland: College Park. Just too big for my taste. And I'd like to stay away from the city. A suburban area would be nice. The school my brother is going to is just the campus, a shopping center, a hotel, and that's it for about 5 miles. 3. ) Is that kind of major/minor even practical? I know they aren't really related, but I love performing too much to just completely give it up. Any opinions? My general stats: My cumulative unweighted GPA is about a 3.8. I scored a 1930 on the SATs, and am still undecided on whether or not I should take them again in the fall (would not mind hearing opinions on this either). I will not take the SAT II. I am a member of student government and NHS. So if anyone could offer any insight on anything I mentioned, I would be most appreciative.

1. You can go to law school with any major - one of my best friends is going to start at UT Law in the fall, and was a bioengineering major in undergrad. Pre-law isn't a major, or even really a track - it's about doing well in your classes and then scoring well on the LSAT.

2. I wouldn't look at history majors per se, but rather look for good liberal arts schools. This is mainly because you'll probably change majors a couple times. I'd look into some smaller schools, like Franklin & Marshall or William & Mary.

3. You shouldn't have to minor in theater to keep it going - when you look for a school, look at extracurricular theatre programs. There were 10 or 15 such groups at my alma mater (Penn). That said, if you love it, do it.

In general: don't get hung up on major/minor combos just yet - you don't have to have that locked down until junior year of college. Maybe you'll take a class in something unexpected freshman year and fall in love with the field.

If you don't want to take the SAT II's, take the ACT. Top-tier universities require either the ACT or SAT + 3 SAT IIs. If you think you can do better on another test date for the SAT, by all means go for it. If you've only sat the SAT once, definitely do it again - most people get a 100 point pop just for sitting the test a second time.

 

[Jemsic]

I say go for law school! Since there's not really any pre-law bachelor's degree, a law school will accept you with any bachelor's. You learn law at law school, there's no pre-requisite education needed - other than good reading comprehension.

I'm majoring in poli-sci, and am currently studying for the LSAT (law school admissions test). Now that I think about it, I might've had alot more fun majoring in history! Good choices, Amigo

.

 

[Azure]

Definitely retake the SAT I if you've only taken it once (do a LOT of official practice tests and go over the answer explanations for EACH question!). Also definitely try to take the ACT as some people score much higher on the ACT than the SAT.

 

[zachary80]

I agree with plus_c on the point of liberal arts colleges, and two I recommend are Hillsdale (where I attend) and Grove City. Are you looking at colleges in a specific region?

 

[rockin_amigo14]

@zachary80: somewhere not cold

Thanks for the tips guys. Chances are I will take the SATs again in the fall, as it's a little too late to sign up for the one on Saturday.

@Azure: What's the significance of the ACTs? What do they test?

 

[Azure]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockin_amigo14 /img/forum/go_quote.gif @Azure: What's the significance of the ACTs? What do they test?

The ACT is another test that most colleges accept just like the SAT I. The ACT consists of 4 sections (Score is out of a total of 36), and an optional writing section (you sign up for either the ACT or the ACT + writing; from what I've observed, the essay seems to always be an open-ended question involving school or something nearly all students can relate to on a personal level). The four sections are English, Math, Reading, and Science. The general consensus seems to be that the ACT doesn't "trick" you with its questions like the SAT, but time is more of an issue with the ACT than the SAT. I personally found the all the sections easy (especially the English section), except the Reading section (mainly due to a lack of time; I read a little slower than average, and I had to go into turbo mode to be able to read all the passages carefully and still have enough time to answer each question). I think every college-bound student ought to take the ACT along with the SAT because some students score a lot higher on the ACT than the SAT.

 

[cotdt]

i thought that the highest possible SAT score was 1600? at least it was back when i took it, so 1930 must be quite good.

 

[rockin_amigo14]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotdt /img/forum/go_quote.gif i thought that the highest possible SAT score was 1600? at least it was back when i took it, so 1930 must be quite good.

haha. You're a little behind the times. It was either last year, or two years ago, the SATs were revamped. The analogy section was removed, and replaced with a writing section, which consists of analyzing sentences for grammatical mistakes, as well an essay. The new SATs are out of 2400.

So a 1930 is nothing really that great. It's not amazing, but it's not too bad. I'm pretty pleased, especially for only having prepared the week of the test.

 

[dropkickduffy]

I start law school this Summer and will tell you that your major is not a huge factor into getting into a law school. That said, performance/art majors are at a disadvantage, performance especially. Law schools want to see advanced reading/writing/analysis courses (which can be found in a myriad of majors) while performance/art majors usually lack those courses. Your minor, IMO, is irrelevant to your chances.

History/Poli Sci/English/Liberal Studies/Phil/Sociology/Psychology/Anthropology/Math/Hard Sciences/etc. all have a good chance of getting into a school. Just rock the LSAT, get some good letters of rec, and get a high GPA and you'll be set!

 

[Sherwood]

US History is a fine major for law school, and I don't recommend choosing your major on the assumption that you'll change it a few times. Of all the students I know, very few of them have actually changed their major. However, if you're uncertain, going undeclared is an option.

As far as the minor is concerned -- skip it. Minors give you nothing. You don't get preferential enrollment status, and unless it's something directly related to your major it will not likely impress anyone on a resume. I worked hard for a minor in Jewish Studies, and it is all but worthless. I loved the courses, and I would take almost all of them again, but every program has some prereqs you don't want, so why waste your time when it doesn't matter?

Just a little advice. My best advice of all, however -- go to every class.

 

[rockin_amigo14]

the reason i want to do performance as a minor is because I know it isn't strong for law school, but I would like to continue in it. since it's a minor, I'll still receive instruction on something I love to do, but it won't be the main focus of my life.

 

[zowie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockin_amigo14 /img/forum/go_quote.gif the reason i want to do performance as a minor is because I know it isn't strong for law school, but I would like to continue in it. since it's a minor, I'll still receive instruction on something I love to do, but it won't be the main focus of my life.

You can accomplish that just as well without getting a minor in it.

 

[zowie]

As far as the minor is concerned -- skip it. Minors give you nothing. You don't get preferential enrollment status, and unless it's something directly related to your major it will not likely impress anyone on a resume. I worked hard for a minor in Jewish Studies, and it is all but worthless. I loved the courses, and I would take almost all of them again, but every program has some prereqs you don't want, so why waste your time when it doesn't matter?

Quite true.

 

[nghiasays]

Robert Gates has a masters in U.S. History and was recruited by the CIA.