<p>I was thrilled to get into Carleton and Grinnell because they are my top two schools. I was also lucky enough to get generous financial aid offers from both, so I can actually afford to go to either of them. However, I am now stuck between the two of them and am terrified of making the wrong decision. I know they're both great schools and very similar. I also know that I'd probably be happy at either of them, but I just can't make up my mind. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any opinions or advice for me?</p>
<p>Both are great schols. My son said he is glad he chose Carleton because Grinnell is so isolated. Carleton is larger and there is also St. Olaf in Northfield. While the students don't socialize much, the presence of two schools gives the town a student friendly feel. You can run into the twin cities in about 40 minutes. There are more shops and cafes available for students.</p>
<p>i'm in at both as well... great job! i personally love carleton, but honestly, you can't make a bad decision with these liberal arts colleges. the only thing i'll say is that iowa has had a mumps outbreak, which is sorta scary. i'm still trying to decide between carleton and middlebury, so i know what you're goin through, but honestly you can't make a bad choice (as long as you don't look back or say what if...)</p>
<p>If there really is a difference in the education, I cannot say it is that significant.</p>
<p>Some people I know are at St. Olaf, and I like them, but in no way would I advise future students to go to Carleton because of St. Olaf. St. Olaf still is in the 1950's in so many respects -- the most obvious is the no booze on campus rule.</p>
<p>Grinnell gets bigger and now has about 400-500 less students attending than Carleton's enrollment.</p>
<p>If you know your major -- see which school offers the better curriculum.</p>
<p>If you do not know your major -- put a map of the two states on your wall, blindfold yourself, and toss a dart. Other than the bad impression you will give your parent with the hole in the wall, your parents should be enlightened to discover you made a decision.</p>
<p>sea1, I see you prefer Grinell here, and Bowdoin over Carleton in another thread. Can you tell me a little more? My daughter has Carleton near the top of her list.</p>
<p>i think carleton, bowdoin and grinnell are all wonderful schools. my biases are just that....biases. grinnell is definitely in the boonies, but who cares. grinnell has big bucks and has many new facitilities. the admission staff are the friendliest around. you will find none of that snootiness at grinnell. if your daughter is planning to play a sport then she will be too busy to travel to boston, the twin cities or des moines. the bottom line is 4 years goes by quickly and she will find her groove and be great. if she knows what she wants to study then have her definitely talk to profs in that department.</p>
<p>Where are you from, neverthere? There is something to be said for expanding your horizons. My d is from the Boston area and LOVES Carleton. She applied to Bowdoin and was waitlisted (being FROM New England didn't help). She has never looked back and has had a wonderful experience in the midwest. If you truly have choices and the three schools are equally ranked in your mind, the only solution to the puzzle is to visit each school and hopefully spend an evening experiencing each institution behind the scenes. For the record, my d hasn't left Carleton once to go to the Twin Cities...</p>
<p>Sea1 has written 4 posts on CC, all of which are on the Carleton forum, all of which are urging posters to choose colleges other than Carleton. Perhaps hoping for a waitlist opening?</p>
<p>I would choose Grinnell, I've been to both places and will be going to Grinnell this fall. What ultimately sold me about Grinnell was its student body. when i visited Carleton the students seemed a little more preppy than those at Grinnell. Grinnell students were a bit more quirky...just my opinion. Also my overnight at Grinnell was much better. Both of the schools academics are amazing, but it came down to where I wanted to spend four years. And that is Grinnell.</p>
<p>Neverthere...As a northeastern PA native, I can say that the Minnesota folks are equally as friendly and my daughter has not missed a beat. The weather is a non- issue compared to New England- Northfield is already warmer than we are. Chomsky 1488- I never spotted a single "popped" collar during my visits to Carleton- much to the contrary, I noted a very unique group marching to their own drummers and only competing with themselves to excel academically, not once trying to conform to social norms. Wonderful community in Northfield- can't speak to Grinnell personally...</p>
<p>Singuy also has three posts- all one liners recommending Pomona, Grinnell and Mcalester over Carleton. Carleton ceratinly has some cheerleaders, doesn't it?</p>
<p>"The schools have a different feel...I don;t want to characterize them with a few words... Carleton feels a bit more like an east coast school plopped in the mid west, Grinnell feels a bit more like a west coast school plopped in the mid west- at least to me!! I think that the quality of the academics is comparable, and I think virtually any major is safe at either. You are going to get lots of individual attention, opportunities galore and have a great time..."</p>
<p>Both Carleton and Grinnell are great schools, and people have made some fine observations here. I'm a Grinnell alum (class of '97), and for me, Grinnell was the perfect school at the right time. Even as a Southern Californian, I didn't feel too isolated (even without a car!) because the college's financial security ensured all kinds of great people (scholars, entertainers, etc.) regularly made their way to the college. When I was at Grinnell, my sense was there were almost as many international students as Iowans, which definitely kept the school from feeling too isolated.</p>
<p>Grinnell's classes were terrific, the faculty were first-rate, and the student body was very bright and progressive. Housing and dining were the best I'd seen at any of the colleges I had attended (I enrolled at three colleges in three states in as many semesters--talk about 18 y.o. wanderlust and indecision!). Grinnell does have a very strong ethic of public service, and while reading my alumni newsletter and Grinnell Magazine, it has always struck me how some incredibly bright peers of mine who could have been very successful in industry chose instead to go into education, nonprofit, or other public service.</p>
<p>I recall that, when I was working as a student employee in Grinnell Admissions, there were many students where one twin attended Carleton and one Grinnell. I had one friend in that situation, and both she and her sister, who were very much alike, were happy at their respective schools.</p>
<p>As a tour guide at Grinnell, my advice to prospective students was always "Stay overnight in the dorms, eat the food, meet the people." Attend class if possible. Only by spending 2-3 days immersed in a college's environment can you get to know its culture. Also: pick up a copy of the college's alumni magazine and read the class notes to see what its graduates are doing. See if you can find the annual issue where colleges announce giving levels by alumni, especially recent alumni--such information is revealing, as it tells you about school loyalty/appreciation and (to a lesser extent) income.</p>
<p>I hope I've allayed some of your concerns.</p>
<p>Best,</p>
<p>Leslie Madsen-Brooks
Ph.D. Candidate
Cultural Studies
UC Davis</p>