<p>Generally I like Carleton's programs better, but it hasn't sold me hands down.
And I know Bates has its problems. </p>
<p>What sort of factors should I take into account when I make my decision come May?
(I have already been accepted to these as well as Grinnell and Whitman.
I also got waitlisted at Macalester.)</p>
<p>Whitman is a good school..go there</p>
<p>Overall, Carleton is a much better school than Bates. However, I firmly believe that the most important factor in choosing your college is the elusive concept of "fit." Visit these schools and see where you feel most at home.</p>
<p>I agree with Shadow, except I think it's stretching a bit to call Carlton "much better" than Bates. It's maybe the difference between an A and an A-.</p>
<p>I guess I may be a bit biased. Change "much better" to simply "better" and it may be more fair.</p>
<p>Of course, we can't comment on issues of "fit" or geographic considerations since we don't know you. But, just generally speaking, Carleton and Grinnell would be the two top schools on your list. Endowment size, median SATs and class rank, grad school acceptance rates, student-faculty ratios, and so on and so forth.</p>
<p>Have to agree with interesteddad.</p>
<p>If you know where you feel most comfortable and challenged, that's the college for you.</p>
<p>I do like Grinnell and Carleton as well.</p>
<p>Just my opinion.
IB</p>
<p>I agree with the previous statements...Grinnell and Carleton</p>