<p>I'd appreciate some general insights about pros and cons of Carlton. From reading the existing threads, I don't see information about what the school is really like. We live in Virginia, and my son is interested in Carlton, but really doesn't know much about it. I am trying to see if it appeals enough to justify a long trip there. So please enlighten me about what's good and what's bad about the place. What would distinguish it from an Amherst or Williams and justify enduring the awful MN winter? And how is the place politically -- is it truly diverse or very PC? Many thanks for any insights!</p>
<p>virginiaman, you might check out these threads for some insight into how Carleton differs from other top LACs. From my perspective (mom of a rising sophomore), I think Carls tend to be more down-to-earth than students at the eastern LACs. Students are open and friendly and most seem to have a keen sense of humor. I also think that they tend to be driven by intellectual curiosity versus career goals. Granted, these are generalizations.</p>
<p>Limner, thanks for the thread references, which were helpful. To follow up, why do I keep reading about "quirkiness" at Carlton? Just how quirky are Carls? My sense of my son is that he has a good, dry sense of humor, but he is a very normal boy (big tennis player, moderate political views, generally on the quiet and polite side). I think he likes and appreciates intelligent, interesting people -- but does it go beyond that at Carlton to include show off adolescent "look at me" antics a lot? Pardon my frankness in asking, but what I'm getting at is whether the quirkiness relates to true individuality and even eccentricity or more of the "look at me, aren't I fascinating when I do this" attitude? (The latter doesn't seem consistent with the usual midwest modesty which I appreciate!)</p>
<p>I know what you mean virginiaman, and no, I don't think Carleton has that hipster acting out going on. It sounds like your son would fit in fine.</p>
<p>Virginiaman, no, I don't think there's a preponderance of manic narcissists at Carleton. ;)</p>
<p>I think the "quirky" description comes more from a lack of a Carleton "type," although I'd say most if not all Carls have a hefty dose of intellectual curiosity in them. Last year, my son sent me a clip made by Carls lampooning the "quirky" label.</p>
<p>I understand the difficulty in visting. My son didn't do so until accepted student weekend. But maybe you could check out Grinnell and UChicago at the same time, if those interest your son at all. Both schools share applicants with Carleton.</p>
<p>My husband (an academic) and I have been extremely impressed with Carleton. One aspect I love is that intelligence seems to inform about everything they do. And our son loves it; he can't imagine himself anywhere else.</p>
<p>Carleton really needs to find another adjective; "quirky" has been done to death. Carleton is a college where students are uninhibited in their pursuit of learning because they are surrounded by other like-minded students. To the Carleton student, learning is fun.</p>
<p>Virginiaman:</p>
<p>As far as comparisons to Amherst and Williams are concerned, the superficial differences are pretty obvious. Carleton will offer similar weather until Jan/Feb when Northfield will present colder temperatures but less snow. Williams will be the most campus-centric and isolated of the three, Carleton offer the best access to city attractions, and Amherst offer the greatest breadth of off campus activities within a near-in (15 minutes or so) driving radius of school. Varsity sports will be a larger priority at Williams/Amherst (Ultimate being the one exception at Carleton). Almost all Carls are involved in intramurals (to a degree rarely found among peers). PE electives (from Tae Kwon Do to scuba to rock climbing) and the well-equipped gym are also similarly very, very popular.</p>
<p>As far as the student body is concerned, the "quirkiness" of Carleton is often misunderstood. It defines not so much a student body that's so "different" in substance, but rather a student body that is so tolerant of "different" that being true to yourself and freely expressing yourself is refreshingly endemic. This is the ANTI poseur school with an ANTI "look at me, aren't I fascinating when I do this" student body. Posing is, in fact, one of the few things NOT tolerated here.</p>
<p>As far as tolerance is concerned, you're right in seeing Carleton's midwest location as a defining influence. Despite the clearly liberal leanings of the student body, this is not Berkeley of the '60s. Conservative political views may well put you in the minority, but they can be (and are) expressed freely without fear of stoning. Traditional religion is deeply respected and regularly practiced with participation in weekend services, clubs, and group meetings common.</p>
<p>So why make the trip to Northfield from Virginia?<br>
You will have trouble finding another school that so well marries such serious academics and seriousness of purpose with so much serious fun. Students love their time here. Encouraged to grow in such an accepting atmosphere, immersed for four years in a midwestern/heartland non-competitive/supportive community, and encouraged to prioritize a sense of responsibility to the greater good - this is a pretty wonderfully unique place.</p>
<p>1190: I have to say that your descriptions of the student body and atmosphere of Carleton match Williams exactly. I have a son who attends who is not an athlete and his experience is exactly as you say, "serious academics, serious fun." The student body is accepting and quirky, and it is not pre-professional.</p>
<p>And yes, Williamstown has the rep of being isolated, but Albany is under an hour, Montreal is close, Bennington college is as close as the consortium schools, North Adams and MassMOCA are very close, Pittsfield, a small city, is under a half hour. More than that, there is an independent cinema in Williamstown showing foreign and inde films that changes weekly, Thai-Sushi and Indian restaurants among others, two major art museums and all the theater anyone could want.</p>
<p>And Williams has an open "town-like" feel. You don't feel as if you're enclosed on a small campus because the town is incorporated into the campus.</p>
<p>I'm sure some would prefer Carleton. I'm sure it's a wonderful school with its own unique flavor.</p>
<p>But it is not as different from other schools, in this case Williams, as you portray.</p>
<p>Most Ephs don't feel isolated.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Carleton really needs to find another adjective; "quirky" has been done to death.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Agreed. It's been beaten to death. I'm sure the Grinnellians are getting weary of it as well. ... Egads! I looked up synonyms for "quirky" on Ask.com and here's what I found:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Deviating from the customary: bizarre, cranky, curious, eccentric, erratic, freakish, idiosyncratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, queer, singular, strange, unnatural, unusual, weird. Slang: kooky, screwball.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>OK--we definitely need another word! :)</p>
<p>Mythmom:</p>
<p>Thanks for your perspective on Williams. I agree there is a lot of overlap with Carleton. Williams is a wonderful school in a beautiful region I know very well having spent quite a bit of time in the Tanglewood-MassMOCA corridor. And I certainly agree with you that "Most Ephs don't feel isolated." But as you know well (with another child happily studying in that "not Williamstown" place, NYC) this is the magic of self-selection.</p>
<p>I would, however, still argue as someone very familiar with most eastern LACs that Carleton is indeed a very measurably different place. Not better, but measurably different (returning to the self-selection issue). Williamstown, the Berkshires, and the Northeast in general have a flavor that would never be mistaken for heartland midwestern. While not quite Lake Wobegon, there is a humility and simplicity to this area that is defiining. Few who visit here question the area's reputation for "Minnesota Nice." Sophistication is certainly not the operative word. Neither necessarily good nor bad, it is certainly measurably different. </p>
<p>Hopefully, self-selection will continue to work its magic sending many happy Ephs on to Williams, Lord Jeffs to Amherst and Carls to Carleton.</p>
<p>Pet peeve of mine: people assuming that the weather at Carleton is much worse than that of schools in the Northeast. Not true. If you can handle winter in Williamstown or Amherst (or Hanover or Ithaca or Middlebury), you can definitely handle it in Northfield, MN. There are differences between the top LACs, but climate is not one worth mentioning.</p>
<p>"You will have trouble finding another school that so well marries such serious academics and seriousness of purpose with so much serious fun. Students love their time here. Encouraged to grow in such an accepting atmosphere, immersed for four years in a midwestern/heartland non-competitive/supportive community, and encouraged to prioritize a sense of responsibility to the greater good - this is a pretty wonderfully unique place."</p>
<p>wow. i just got back from a tour, and that is the exact feeling i got from campus. they're serious about their studies, but serious about having fun, too.</p>
<p>1190: Well said, and I concur with your hope that all students find their lighthouse.</p>
<p>Make the trip. My son just visited Carleton this summer and fell in love with the school. He is not yet done with his college visits, but I am pretty sure he will end up at Carleton. We live in Maryland, and he attends a private school in DC. Most of his classmates stay on the east coast for college, chasing the most prestigious "brand." The more relaxed and less status conscious attitudes at Carleton really appealed to him.</p>
<p>Just got back from a mini vacation. I'd like to thank all the posters -- I think you've really made some insightful points about Carlton (and Williams). It sounds like a special place, and I think my son and I will indeed visit from Virginia to check it out.</p>