<p>Hi!
I'm considering applying ED to one of these three and I was wondering if people could tell me about their take on the students there. I really want to be at a college with students that are unpretentious, down-to-earth, and intellectual.</p>
<p>If you look at the top of this page under ‘featured discussions,’ you’ll see and index of all the past ‘Carleton vs. ________’ threads. Look there to see the comparisons then come back if your question isn’t answered. </p>
<p>If you want more information on Grinnell, after you’ve done that, I can point you to this thread: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/grinnell-college/438138-why-grinnell.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/grinnell-college/438138-why-grinnell.html</a></p>
<p>I’ve visited Grinnell and Im aware of the various academic programs at each. I’m interested in hearing more perspectives on the vibes at each college and what the students are like, which isn’t something I really saw in the other threads.</p>
<p>I have been to Bates and think it fits your description. The tour guide was the nicest kid ever and talked about all his diverse friends. Very collegial, down to earth</p>
<p>All three schools fit your description. Bates is slightly preppier than Carleton and Grinnell (although not as preppy as it’s usual competitors, Bowdoin and Colby). Strong social conscience at all three, although Grinnell has made social entrepreneurship a focus since the new president arrived and is slightly edgier than either Bates or Carleton. The midwestern vibe is quite different from the NE vibe: it’s more understated, self-deprecating and, because of the small town locations of Grinnell and Carleton, more friendly in the town/gown sense. (Most of the people living in Grinnell and Northfield depend on the students and the school for their livelihoods, so they try to make it work.) Bates’ more urban location has an impact on the culture - both positive and negative. </p>
<p>Really, the students are more alike at these schools than different so you might want to use other criteria to choose between them - like the coursework available in your areas of interest, or the research interests of the faculty in those areas, or the availability of facilities/resources/programs to support the things you care about.</p>
<p>snowy2009</p>
<p>All three of your choices will do a fine job of offering up “unpretentious, down-to-earth, and intellectual” students.</p>
<p>Bates, of the three, will have the largest contingent “from money” and from prep schools. An athlete’s culture is more pervasive there though to a lesser degree than at many other NE LACs. Off-setting this is a significant “granola” orientation to many students, to offer up yet another stereotype.</p>
<p>Were there a mantra to define Carleton’s student body it would probably be “unpretentious, down-to-earth, and intellectual” with “accepting and fun-loving” thrown in to complete the caricature. Carls will be the most academically accomplished among your options though all student bodies are strong. And academics will be the overriding priority of the school, offered up by a dedicated top ranked faculty, fortunately never at the exclusion of having enormous fun. </p>
<p>Carleton’s alumni are understandably about as dedicated as they come with an alumni giving rate consistently #1 among LACs and often first in the nation. It’s a great 4 year run.</p>
<p>If diversity is a factor in your decision, Grinnell is 59% white, Carleton is 68% white and Bates is 73% white (self-reported). This reflects, in part, Grinnell’s large endowment and commitment to diversity. Also, more than 85% of Grinnell student receive financial aid. Don’t have the numbers for Carleton and Bates, but I’m betting it’s considerably less.</p>
<p>“Bates, of the three, will have the largest contingent “from money” and from prep schools.” This. Approx. 50% of Bates students come from public schools, vs approx. 70% at Grinnell and Carleton. And I would guess a lot of the public schools kids at Bates are coming from wealthy school districts in Fairfield and Westchester Counties North Jersey. Bates and the other NESCAC’s are very popular in those places.</p>
<p>I would definitely say that Carleton students meet your criteria. I am from the Northeast, and the students here are some of the least pretentious I’ve ever met - almost everyone is extremely friendly, and the atmosphere is definitely intellectual. Most people are pretty down-to-Earth, although there’s a typical dose of LAC idealism as well. If you have any other questions about Carleton, please feel free to PM me or ask here!</p>