[DubaiSis]

I'll address Iowa. It is NOT more of a party school than any comparable size school, and less so than a lot of others. It's certainly no Wisconsin. The Writing Program at Iowa is phenomenal, but I wouldn't choose Iowa as an undergrad just for that. There are great summer programs, and the Writer's Workshop really isn't a degree program. However, for a good solid liberal education with a Great English department, I think it's a great choice. It just seems like an odd next choice after the list you've given. If she's overreaching on her choices and has to end up at a state school (nothing wrong with that AT ALL, but she may feel that way) she can at least hold her head high because of the prestigious writing program there.

As far as majoring in Journalism, as a person who did just that, I will both agree and disagree. I think learning the journalistic style of writing is helpful in a lot of careers because it teaches you how to write in a clear and succinct way, which is extremely helpful in all career fields. It's also a common undergrad for people going on to Law school (at Iowa, anyway). But you would get a lot more help in becoming a professional news writer by working for the Daily Iowan. If you have specific questions about Iowa, PM me. And I can probably get you in touch with a recent grad who can address the current climate there.

Go Hawks!