My daughter is deciding between two very different schools. She’s very smart but is afraid that Carnegie Mellon mostly has very studious kids who don’t socialize because they don’t have time. While Carleton is very selective, I’m afraid that it’s a school that shelters kids and doesn’t offer enough outside opportunities to socialize outside of Carleton kids. And quite honestly, CMU has more name recognition which I think will help her later in life. Any thoughts related to these two schools would be very appreciated.
What does she want to study?
Psychology. She wants to do research.
I question your opinion about which is more well-known. Carleton has been in the top 7 LAC’s for a long time, and any employer or grad school is going to know that.
Has she visited both? Did she sit in on some Psych classes, or meet some faculty?
Most Carleton kids know they are in the right place once they visit.
Good luck!
Where I live, I agree that CMU has more name recognition than Carleton … except within academia. If she’s going to go to grad school, I wouldn’t let name recognition among the masses be a factor because those in the know know what a great school it is.
I’m on the same boat deciding between Carleton and Carnegie Mellon for Cognitive Science! I just got back from visiting both schools; however I still can’t make up my mind!
ymere, what did you like best about each of them?
OP, both are fine choices. I’d say if the dollars are about equal, let her make the decision.
Both are good towns. Carleton great/fine for graduate school and most small schools like that offer more personal attention and opportunity to do research which looks great for graduate school. Drawback is no grad school right there…but that’s not really big deal in your major. Housing and condition of campus buildings seemed better at Carleton…Carnegie Mellon can’t seem to paint or dust their interiors…amazing…no custodial work that I could see…outsides were good, insides, not maintained (Academic buildings). Carleton will likely be more diverse (more than 30% caucasians) if that balance matters to you. Also more women. Carnegie Mellon a tad more stressful. Both strong academically.
@cernedmom which did she choose?