<p>Hey everyone! After spending a lot of time comparing the colleges I've been accepted to (Grinnell, Colgate, Macalester, Whitman), I've decided that Carleton is the where I want to be!</p>
<p>I was thinking that everyone else who has decided to go to Carleton could talk about what they're excited/scared/curious/nervous/whatever about! =)</p>
<p>Plus, I'm from Hawaii and I was wondering if anyone can tell me more about Minnesota weather. Every time I've told someone that I'm going to Minnesota the first thing they say is, "Minnesota? It's so cold over there!"</p>
<p>Weather. Fall term is great. Toward the end of fall term it turns cold, possibly with snow, but then you leave for break. When you return in January, be prepared for lots of snow and some subzero temperatures. Windchill makes it even colder. The trick is to learn how to dress with layers. The students embrace the winter weather, but are ready to see it go by the time spring break rolls around. Spring term starts out chilly, but the shorts and flipflops come out when the temp gets past 40 degrees. There can still be some snow during the early parts of spring term, but it does warm up quite a bit. Muddy. And then it is wonderful in May.</p>
<p>My heat-lovin' Texas daughter learned to adapt and loves it there!</p>
<p>As for the rural area/small school issue, will you be able to visit? Northfield is a small town, but the main street is within walking distance from Carleton. It's also only 45 minutes from the Cities, and there is shuttle service available. However, there is such an amazing array of activities available on campus that most students stay on campus. </p>
<p>Coursework is demanding, and grades are given with plus and minus (B+, A-, etc). You are allowed to take certain classes pass/fail (scrunch option). I have heard that approximately half the class graduates with honors (3.25 or better).</p>
<p>I haven't made my decision yet but Carleton is one of my tops choices. I love it, but I don't know if I'll be able to adapt to the weather because I live in Puerto Rico and I've never seen snow or been in less than 60 degrees.</p>
<p>Fall and Spring terms are beautiful with median temperatures similar to-mildly warmer than New England. The seasonal changes are lovely to enjoy, in evidence all over campus and in the Arb.</p>
<p>Our third frigid, I mean, Winter term, January and February specifically, are Cold with a capital C more-so than in New England. This may be stating the obvious. What is less obvious, and modifyingly good, is that:
1. There is substantially less snow here than in New England.
2. The area also has (surprisingly) significant sunshine - none of the spirit-dampening relentless gray typical at places like Cornell, U Chicago, or other schools along the Great Lakes, upper Atlantic/Pacific or caught between mountain ranges.<br>
3. You get to play Broomball on not one, but two, outdoor skating rinks built into the Bald Spot.</p>
<p>GRADES/WORKLOAD:</p>
<p>Simple answer. Workload is heavy but professors are caring and students incredibly mutually supportive. It is a truly nurturing environment in which people thrive. Median graduating GPAs are solidly in the middle of the pack compared to other top schools. Grad/professional schools WILL know youve truly earned your grades and they have great respect for curricular rigor.</p>
<p>SCHOOL SIZE/NORTHFIELD:</p>
<p>As fireflyscout said, there is an amazing array of activities on-campus. Northfield is a really charming town of around 20,000 and Minneapolis/SP are around 45 minutes away for those big city breaks. Boredom is not an option. Carletons enrollment of 2,000 can actually seem large if you feel integrally part of the student body. But this is not a generic kind of place. If you visit and it doesnt feel right, go elsewhere. If you do not want a residential campus experience and yearn for a downtown hipster club scene, go elsewhere. If youre looking for Greek life and big DI sports, go elsewhere. If youre a committed loner, go elsewhere. The strength of this place lies in the cohesion of the student body. This is a place where the great sense of wonderful SHARED experiences bond graduates for the rest of their lives.</p>
<p>Carleton</a> College Weather Database for weather data since 1999. Look at the temperatures/wind chills for the past few winters to get an idea of the variability.</p>
<p>I got really similar aid packages from Carleton/Grinnell/Colgate which made it really hard to decide! </p>
<p>I'm nervous about the demanding coursework, but I'm also really excited about it (lol) because I'll get to see how far I can push myself! I'm also really excited about the students and the teachers. From everything I've read and heard, Carleton seems to have the most interesting, accepting student body which will be such a big difference from my high school experience.</p>
<p>fireflyscout: I'm glad to hear that your daughter loves it!
1190: I've heard a lot about Broomball from alumni and its something that I'd love to watch (but probably not play!).
dietcokewithlime: Thanks for the link, I'm gonna check it out right now!</p>
<p>I kind of can't wait to make my first snowman! =)</p>