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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP: The study of history can be done at almost any school. The smaller the school, the fewer history professors and fewer courses & specialties offered.

I was a history major at an LAC of over 2,000 students, but under 2,500 students. The faculty was small and the courses offered were basic and not very exciting to me. I wish that I had attended a large university as I was interested in much more than just US history and I wanted courses taught by different professors who could offer different perspectives. The study of history is easy--just requires reading and analytical thinking. In order to experience a better education than my small school offered, I often bought and read additional text books on my own.

[b]Truthfully, the study of history can be self-taught using standard textbooks[/b] and additional books of interest to the student.

My best advice: Go to the university with the largest history dept. that you find. Small schools are too limiting. Also, consider double majoring. History and economics/business or history & a foreign language.  Surround yourself with the brightest, most intelligent peers and professors that you can. Find an environment that works for you. If you prefer a small school setting, then examine the courses offered in your intended major.

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I disagree.  Good history departments do not typically use textbooks.  You want a school where students can get involved in meaningful historical projects so that they can learn to ask good questions, search archives, build a case from primary documents, learn how to make compelling historical arguments etc. SLACs and  mid-size schools are good for having access to that for undergraduates.  If in VA, both W&M and UVA have strong history departments if you're considering in-state options.[/quote]

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