Choosing between Grinnell and Carleton

<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>what field of study r u interested in?
Actually, both school have slightly different student body, too.
Have you visited?</p>

<p>I'm "undecided" right now, but am considering anthropology, sociology, international relations, and English. I've visited both schools, but I visited Grinnell on a weekend morning. I will be visiting them both again for admitted student days this month.</p>

<p>well, I don't know anything about those subjects.
actually I'm still deciding where to go, too. but i asked coz if you're interested in sciences Carleton is maybe little bit better.
I think you'll know when you visit both schools again.
sorry didn't help much</p>

<p>My older son is a Grinnell sophomore majoring in English. He is very happy. He has a busy academic schedule, classes and teachers he really likes, plenty to do in his free time as well. My second son was accepted at Carleton and elected not to go, though he quite liked the school.</p>

<p>Son #1 specifically chose Grinnell over comparable schools for 2 reasons. First, there is a high % of international kids. Second, the students he met were spirited and adventuresome thinkers. He had the feeling, then and now, that Grinnell is a place where people try new things, because they can...and where people are very friendly. </p>

<p>Son #2 liked the pacific, intellectually stimulating environment at Carleton, the proximity to outdoors life, and the idea of a cohesive small campus. He ultimately decided on a larger, more urban school. Although Carleton is trying to recruit more international kids, this was a negative for him as well. He has a cousin and a friend who are there as freshman and very happy. I think my son would have loved it as a freshman, but for him the larger school is probably the better long term choice...</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>You'll get a quality education at either school. The weather is less crappy at Grinnell. Visit both during good times for social stuff and then go with your heart.</p>

<p>I really like this description and as someone who attended G and visited C often, I think this a great way of depicting the schools: "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!!"</p>

<p>Another way of putting it: Carleton is the Wesleyan or Amherst of the midwest while Grinnell is the Pomona or Reed of the midwest.</p>