Carleton vs. Grinnell

<p>So I've applied ED to Carleton, but I have this feeling I'm just not going to make the cut (I have almost all As at a very rigorous private school, outstanding recommendations, amazing and consistent extracurriculars, but my standardized test scores are pretty horrible). But of course, I'm trying to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Anyway, how does Grinnell compare to Carleton? I went to Carleton and absolutely fell in love with the academic intensity, yet the lack of competition and the student body. The people there just seem very chill, laid back, and cool. Are these qualities that are found at Grinnell? I was considering applying ED II to Oberlin, but now that I've done research on Grinnell, I'm getting second thoughts. (Although I'm applying to almost all midwest schools, I'm actually not from the midwest. I'm from the Mid-Atlantic) Can anyone elaborate on any of this? I feel like I have a decent shot of getting into Grinnell, and if it's a lot like Carleton, that would be awesome and maybe I'll take the EDII route.</p>

<p>I have a son at Carleton who also looked closely at Grinnell. They are both great schools with more similarities than differences, and lots of overlaps in applicants and admits. You’ll probably find a lot of the things you like about Carleton at Grinnell. Carleton is a bit more selective, and Grinnell is a bit more racially/ethnically diverse. I think there’s probably more emphasis on social activism among the students at Grinnell, though this is also present at Carleton. Some differences you might keep in mind are that Carleton has a trimester system, and Grinnell has semesters. Also, Carleton has fairly extensive distribution requirements, whereas Grinnell has an open curriculum. Since you’ve already applied ED I to Carleton, I assume you’re not looking to be “sold” on one as opposed to the other, but you might check out a thread on the Carleton forum that compiles various “Carleton v [X College]” threads. I’m sure you’ll find lots of comments comparing the two. Obviously, it would be great if you could visit Grinnell during the fall term, though understandably you might not want to go to that expense while your ED app at Carleton is pending. Good luck!</p>

<p>I think sunmachine identified the major differences. Carleton, Grinnell and Oberlin have a lot of overlap in the applicant pool because they are more alike than different.</p>

<p>What could potentially make a difference is the depth and breadth of coursework in your areas of interest, the research interests of the faculty in those areas, the ‘special features’ that each school has (Carleton’s arboretum, Grinnell’s observatory - for example), and the clubs and activities that are of greatest interest to you. If you dig a little deeper at each school, you can find these things out.</p>

<p>S looked at all three schools ended up at Grinnell. It was just a matter of personal fit.</p>

<p>If you aren’t able to visit Grinnell before deciding whether to apply ED or not, I’d recommend against it. I don’t know how you can base a decision like this without having seen the school. </p>

<p>When my son made his decision about which school to go to, he tried making a spreadsheet, but that proved impossible, and he ended up with the school where he felt most at home with the student body. That was Grinnell.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t rule out your chances of getting into Carleton because you have a lot going for you. What exactly are “pretty horrible” test scores? Carleton doesn’t seem like it will overemphasize scores unless they are horrendous.</p>

<p>We visited Grinnell and Carleton this summer and if my son is admitted to both, I suspect he’ll have a difficult time deciding between the two if financials are equal. A science major may prefer Carleton because it has a superb record of student achievement in graduate programs in the sciences. Grinnell has nearly $800,000 per student in endowment funds, which gives it the ability to offer programs such as paid summer research projects. Carleton says its trimester schedule makes it easy for students to study abroad, particularly science majors who ordinarily have difficulty scheduling it. Ultimate frisbee is huge at Carleton. Grinnell has beautiful new facilities, including a very impressive rec center. If you like basketball, Grinnell has a high-scoring team. Grinnell has fun jungle gym study carrells in its library. Grinnell will likely be a bit warmer and less snowy in the winter. Grinnell had the most attractive freshman seminar offerings of any school we visited. Both schools are surrounded by cornfields.</p>

<p>Also check out Kalamazoo College in Michigan. It may be easier for admissions and it is a great school with strong academics and highly regarded by graduate schools. Study abroad is very big there. It has the same laid back midwestern culture, although it’s more urban than Carleton or Grinnell.</p>

<p>…I thought I’d have something to say here. I’m a Carleton Alum who considered Grinnell. Presently, I’m a PhD student in Engineering.</p>

<p>-college0203 has a better chance than they think. Carleton likes to take students who are not from the Midwest, who are from rigorous private schools and who can pay in full. ED decision help too.</p>

<p>-Many other Carls would argue strongly with me, but I really feel that some of Carleton’s laid back attitude is a bit of an “act”. Students at Carleton are intense and competitive…maybe just not on the surface. When I visited Grinnell, I thought it was more laid back. </p>

<p>-Just a note based on some of the comments from other posters…Carleton also has a really nice rec center and observatory.</p>

<p>[Carleton</a> College: Campus Photos: Buildings: Goodsell Observatory](<a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/photos/buildings/?image_id=362348]Carleton”>http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/photos/buildings/?image_id=362348)</p>

<p>[Carleton</a> College: Recreation Center: Welcome to the Recreation Center](<a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/rec/]Carleton”>http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/rec/)</p>

<p>-I thought there was probably more activism on Grinnell’s Campus. Contrary to popular belief, Carleton will not be all Liberal Students. When I was there, there were a significant minority of vocal conservative students. It made debates fun.</p>

<p>-I still sorta miss Carleton…at least the parts where I was not studying all the time and stressed out.</p>

<p>Good luck on your decision.</p>

<p>If you don’t get into Carleton ED, then chances are pretty likely that you won’t get into Grinnell either. Grinnell is only <em>slightly</em> less competitive for admissions. But, since you asked…</p>

<p>I have heard from many Carleton students that the student body is actually very competitive. I don’t sense this at Grinnell at all. Of course, some people thrive in competitive environments.</p>

<p>Carleton is a dry campus whereas Grinnell is more accepting of substances. I don’t know where you sit on this issue, but it’s something to think about.</p>

<p>Grinnell actually has a very strong science program too. The pre-orientation program for science majors has been acclaimed by President Obama, and about 80% of Grinnellians get into med school (much more than many other schools). Pre-law is also great: 90% get into law school. The most popular majors here are actually biology, English, and economics.</p>

<p>A lot of Grinnell’s facilities were built in the last decade, including 4 dorm halls, so everything is very new and up-to-date!</p>

<p>Overall, it’s really a matter of personal preference. They’re so similar that you’d probably be happy at either one. Grinnell tends to be more liberal and even “hippie” with a very laid-back and collaborative environment, whereas Carleton is somewhat more conservative and competitive, though it is slightly more prestigious. Good luck on your applications, sir or madam!</p>

<p>Son goes to Carleton, but looked at Grinnell. Carleton is not a dry campus. Far from it. You’re probably thinking of Saint Olaf. </p>

<p>According to my son, it’s impossible to categorize Carleton students in general as competitive or anything else for that matter. He says the academics are intense, and the place is a bit of a pressure cooker academically, but he’s never felt pitted against his classmates. Much to the contrary. There’s a video of Carleton’s president talking about a culture of “where my success never comes at your expense,” and according to my son most Carls believe in that creed, with an enthusiasm that’s almost weird. I’ve visited Grinnell twice and have a very good impression of the place, but I’ve also heard that it can be intense academically. “Stressed and depressed” are two words that I’ve heard too frequently to describe Grinnell. Nevertheless, my younger son is applying there, and I’d love to hear that it’s a bit more layed back than Carleton, because I think that would be a better environment for him.</p>

<p>Just a response to Sunmachine comments about Carleton being competitive… </p>

<p>Something like “where my success never comes at your expense,” has always been a goal and hope at Carleton. I just found that it was a challenging goal to reach sometimes for some students…especially those in premed and in science. That is just my realistic assessment looking back at my four years at Carleton after working in industry and being in grad school. Perhaps this is a better discussion for the Carleton board, however it would be interesting to understand how Grinnell is different or similar.</p>

<p>The student bodies are more similar than not. But, I too have the impression that as a group Carls seem a little less politically active and not as liberal as Grinnell students. Grinnell was a top school for me during my search until I visited and felt that my moderately conservative outlook and indifference about “causes” would put me on the fringe there. I’m not sure that’s wholly true, though, in hindsight. I think that a lot of my perception came from marketing by the schools’ admissions offices. In an effort to create a unique identity, Carleton focused on the quirky, humorous, intellectually insatiable nature of its student body, while Grinnell chose to emphasize social justice.</p>

<p>S at Grinnell doesn’t have a political bone in his body. I am actually hoping that he develops some political awareness there – an awareness of the political world is not a bad thing for a citizen. The science facilities are awesome. </p>

<p>Think of college as the place where their development as people, what you have helped to shape their entire lives, will be “finished” in four YEARS at a college. That is why we looked only at LACs.</p>

<p>Grinnell, St. Olaf, and Carleton would all “finish” a student into a fine person, if that is that student’s natural inclination.</p>

<p>It’s interesting how much the marketing emphasis shapes the perception. I think that Carleton’s description could be applied to Grinnell’s student body as well. </p>

<p>As to political involvement, I haven’t seen any pressure whatsoever at Grinnell for students to be active in anything one way or the other. Students spend their time as they want, and there are all sorts of activities and interest groups there.</p>

<p>There absolutely is a liberal bent to the campus, and while I can’t speak to how well opposing views are received since I’m a parent, I do know that when my son was considering the school, he asked that question (he is moderately liberal) because he wanted to be at a place where debate was accepted. At the time, at least, the leader of the campus Democrats said that they were working with their Republican counterparts to facilitate that, but I really don’t know if any progress was made. </p>

<p>As to stress, well – I have three kids in college, and I hear from all of them at varying times about their academic stress… often due to time management lapses… It’s a challenge everywhere I think. But, yes, Grinnell is known for a heavy workload, as is Carleton.</p>

<p>What I hear from my S at Grinnell is this: he is excited about his classes and has a ton of friends and feels at home on the campus. I have detected a collaborative, supportive feel to his relationships as well. My S wouldn’t be happy at a place where competition was the norm. </p>

<p>The self-governance structure at Grinnell also supports a sense of collaboration and community. The students really treasure this system.</p>

<p>The school has alot of support help – its Academic Resource Centers offer classes, workshops and individual help not only with content tutoring but underlying study skills. These are offered by professionals. While they do use students to tutor (primarily for course content, IIRC), the opportunity to get help from professionals is really wonderful.</p>

<p>Interesting tidbit: On my floor, half of the first-years were deciding between Grinnell and Carleton. Ultimately, they chose Grinnell. </p>

<p>Bottom Line: The student bodies are very similar. Find which one you feel is a better ‘fit’.</p>

<p>As a native of the mid-Atlantic, east coast, and parent of a child attending a midwestern LAC (Oberlin), I want to applaud the OP for actually desiring to go to college in the midwest. So many kids from my part of the country are so biased towards it they don’t think a liberal arts college is even credible if it isn’t located in the northeast, preferably Maine or Massachusetts, with a grudging nod to Wesleyan in Connecticut and Swarthmore in Pennsylvania. The east coast bias is ridiculous and, frankly, obtuse. </p>

<p>Grinnell, Carleton, Oberlin, Macalester, and Kenyon, are the equals of any of the New England LACs. And the civility of midwestern culture makes them better places to learn tolerance and with it political activitism, in my humble opinion.</p>

<p>I went to college in the northeast and hated the snobby, class-based, if it’s not in the northeast it doesn’t count attitudes. So I was delighted when my own child turned her back completely on the Maine and Massachusetts schools, declined admission to one of the Ivies, and decided to go to Oberlin.</p>

<p>The world has become a much larger place then can become defined out of a couple regions out of North America. We’re going to find this become more the case in the years ahead.</p>