<p>My son is interested in the sciences and/or engineering, but he is undecided concerning a career choice. How difficult is it to succeed in the Sciences at Carleton? Are professors approachable, are there research opportunities? I have read that it is very difficult to get an A in Carleton.
Does this hurt chances at getting into a good graduate school?</p>
<p>I don't think it's any more difficult to succeed than at any comparable school, since math/science classes are generally graded on a curve anyway. As is the case in every department at Carleton, the professors are very approachable and classes are typically small. As mentioned in the physics thread, there are a number of research opportunities with Carleton faculty, which typically entail more substantial responsibility than at schools with graduate students. I also know a number of people who participated in programs at Oregon, Columbia and Rockefeller University over the summers.</p>
<p>As mentioned in the other threads, Carleton sends a huge percentage of its science grads to PhD programs, so I don't think it's holding anybody back. You're not going to find easy A's at any school that would give someone a good shot a med school.</p>
<p>If your son is really interested in engineering, if he wouldn't be satisfied with his practical engineering experience being limited to the robotics club, then he probably shouldn't come here. Carleton technically has a 3-2 engineering program though I don't know of any current student (or even heard of former students) who took advantage of the arrangement. There are no engineering classes here, just physics and chemistry labs, though someone involved in research or in building instruments for the departments will get that kind of experience I guess. Now pure sciences, on the other hand, are well-taught here and there are plenty of opportunities to be challenged in them. Carleton science majors who want to go to grad school will go to grad school, basically, and the ones who do well (when I say well I mean like maybe 3.7 GPA or so) will go to good grad schools. I don't have a very good concept of how hard it is to get A's here versus at other schools having never attended any other colleges, but truthfully it's not THAT difficult to get good grades in math/science classes here unless you won't settle for anything besides a 4.0 overall GPA. But hey, if that's your attitude, you're going to have problems everywhere, not just Carleton. Sure, you have to work for your grades, but if you deserve an A you almost certainly will get it. Carleton is not a school for grade grubbers, but if you (secretly of course) actually care about your GPA, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.</p>
<p>Thanks "use a toothbrush" and "Americanski" for your help. Your insight is very much appreciated.</p>