Philip Allen '16, a classics and biology double major, is currently pursing his M.D. at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
"Classics is a huge part of my life, and I highly suggest studying it. Classics molds the way you think and approach different subjects and it helps you better articulate yourself and your arguments. Just as importantly, studying classics gives you an ability to understand the historical and cultural background to Western civilization. History repeats itself and as a classics major, you can recognize these events as they happen. The classics program at Notre Dame is fantastic. The teachers are extremely knowledgeable and do a great job working with you to help you master the material. There are plenty of opportunities to branch out and read a variety of different authors and subjects, both at Notre Dame and abroad.
I was able to spend a semester abroad at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies (ICCS) in Rome, Italy, where myself and 35 other classics majors studied the historical and cultural treasures of Rome and the surrounding countryside. Except for Latin and Ancient Greek language classes, every single one of my classes was either in a museum or at an archeological site. We spent a week in Sicily and a week in the Naples area visiting Pompeii and ancient Greek and Roman settlements. Discussing class divides while seeing the different housing structures in Pompeii or talking about the mixing of Greek, Italian and Roman culture while examining city-center layouts is an experience that I will always cherish. Simply put, it was an amazing opportunity, and I owe it to the Notre Dame classics professors, who were extremely supportive and bent over backwards to get me into the program. It’s another reason to study classics at Notre Dame. You won’t regret it."