Hi everyone, I was recently accepted to Carleton and Macalester class of 2022, but despite my excitement I’m having a tough time deciding between the two especially since I live abroad and won’t be able to visit.
Can someone tell me which would be the better choice based on my interests? Or if there’s anything about either school that a prospective student should absolutely know? Also any general things I should know that I can’t get off the websites.
I want to go into biology (research not med).
I want to continue music–possibly in chamber orchestras or small ensembles.
What about internship possibilities?
Other general questions: How are the students/professors/atmosphere? How is the academic rigor?
Both schools gave me the same finaid/scholarship bundle.
Tough choice, but great choices.
Mac is in a more urban environment, near a big city if not exactly in one. Are you more of a country mouse or a city mouse? Carleton is near a very small, quaint town. If you prefer bigger cities, you might get bored at Carleton. But Carleton has a beautiful arboretum, so if you like nature and quiet, Carleton is the place for you.
If you wanted to work during the school year, I think Mac would be better since it is in the state capitol, closer to businesses and government, and even near several large Unis. But these are not necessarily biology jobs I am referring to.
Carleton is on a trimester schedule, so while you only take three classes at a time, those classes move quickly.
This is entirely subjective, but I think of Carleton as being more introverted, Mac as more extroverted. Neither is better or worse, just different. Which environment would you prefer?
I found them both to be very friendly and supportive. Students are welcoming and open minded in both places. Mac seems more politically engaged.
I like Carlton College’s ensembles:
https://apps.carleton.edu/curricular/musc/ensembles/
Carlton has a strong biology department as well–
https://apps.carleton.edu/curricular/biol/
Carlton science professors really help students who want to get a PhD in the sciences.
The chemistry at Carlton sometimes gets one of the highest ranks for an LAC, is really
very strong.
Carlton has very good study abroad programs that may include field work for geologists in New Zealand
and other really well planned study abroad programs.
Carleton is slightly higher ranked and a bit more selective for admission.
Carleton has a slightly more “life of the mind” reputation while Mac is more outward looking, engaged in the world, global citizenship oriented. However, you will find people of both types there so I wouldn’t exaggerate this difference too much.
Mac is 7 miles from the airport; Carleton is an hour away.
In the same town as Carleton is St Olaf, which has an amazing music program. As a Carleton student, you’d not be involved in performance over there. But a lot of their musical performances are open to the public and are pretty amazing. You can check out youtube videos to get an idea.
Mac is in consortium with 4 other LACs in the Twin Cities. It is possible to take courses on other campuses if Mac doesn’t offer them. I don’t know how often people actually do this. St Thomas is the closest - about a 10-15 walk away.
I would do some more digging into Mac and Carleton’s respective biology departments - check out how many faculty there are, what their areas of specialization are, what kind of courses they offer, etc.
Two great options, congrats!
Both very good schools, but Carleton is considered to be a bit better. Also considered to be top notch in sciences.
Neither is a bad choice, though. There is a very uplifting vibe to Carleton, smart without being in yer face, maybe a bit more down to earth than it’s peers on the coasts. Food is good, also.
If you’re someone who would like to live in the city, and would enjoy access to al that MPLS/St.Paul has to offer, the Mac is a great choice. It’s in the middle of a very benign, residential part of the city, with nary a tall building in site, but is right in the middle of a bunch of stores and shops.
S1 looked at both. Ultimately choose somewhere else, but he had a REALLY hard time making up his mind between the two. Academically and food wise he thought Carleton was the (narrow)winner, but Mac won out on location. He wasn’t too crazy about the gender imbalance at Mac, while Carleton is pretty even.
We have wandered through Olin-Rice Science Center at Mac. It is very impressive.