I’m a European student looking to major in economy and I was accepted into several colleges in the US. Colby and Macalester seem like my best options but I am really unsure about which one I should choose. I was under the impression that both colleges have similar academic levels and I am trying to find out something else to make my choice. I’m really into sports and I wondered which college allowed non-varsity-level people to join teams and use the sporting facilities best. I also wondered whether many Colby students went skiing during the winter and how difficult it is to go skiing when you don’t have a car. Any other advice ?
Macalester is in a vibrant city, and likely to be easier in and out travel for an international student. It is known for its focus on international issues, and works to recruit an international student body. Colby is a more bucolic setting, and likely more of a “traditional” US college setting. Although I don’t know specifically about Colby, several other Maine schools do have “outing” clubs which organize ski trips and allow students to rent equipment easily, so I’m guessing, though cannot confirm, that Colby may have something similar.
Both schools will have good recreational athletic facilities and inter-mural student teams for a variety of sports. You can learn more about those by going to the athletics link for each school, and then reading about recreational sports. Some coaches may have a structure for “walk-ons” – athletes who were not specifically recruited to play the sport at the school, but may be strong enough players to compete. If there is a specific sport you are interested in, take a look at the roster and see how you compare. If you think you match up, email the coach, explain you are attending, and ask about walk-on opportunities.
Colby is beautiful - but isolated. In the middle of nowhere. There’s not much to do there besides study… and party ( students do plenty of both) especially during Maine’s long, harsh winters. As result, many students choose to study abroad in their junior year, for a change of scenery and weather.
I would take a winter in Maine to a winter in Minnesota. Macalester is urban and Colby is rural.
A very good point is transportation. Macalester is close to the Minneapolis airport (MSP) so international connections are probably much easier and less expensive in case you plan on return trips home or having visitors from overseas.
I’ve got the same decision to make, urban vs. rural. I’m choosing between macalester and Grinnell, and I think I’m leaning more towards an urban environment. There will be more opportunities when it comes to internships during the semester and just more things to do in general. I’m transferring from a rural LAC and since there was really nothing else to do, everyone just drank a lot. It was a play hard work hard environment for sure. I don’t know if that goes for Colby though. Hope this helps!
@Captain/college2020
If you like sports and want to play sports and want to ski Colby is a much better choice.
Winters in Maine offer lots of recreation. Winter in Minneapolis offer nothing, nothing outdoor to do. Maine winters are great. Plus you have access to all the other things Maine has to offer, the mountains, rivers and the coast.
Colby is in the NESCAC athletic conference. Macalester could not compare to Colby in terms of quality or scope of athletics.
OP, did you get off a waitlist? Otherwise I assume you deposited at one or the other on May 1.
I’m just wondering about some statements made in previous posts….The thought that Colby is in the middle of nowhere and also something about winters in Minneapolis as having nothing to offer or nothing outdoor to do…So, I’m scratching my head. Colby is, in fact, in the middle of somewhere, which happens to be a somewhere with unique experiences not available anywhere else. And what’s with Minneapolis/St. Paul as having nothing outdoor to do? Minnesotans know how to avoid cabin fever better than most. What are you interested in?
I’m also scratching my head over the nothing to do in MN comment! But on another thread that poster told someone there was nothing to do in CT vs ME, (another scratch your head comment) so crack it up to poster bias.
Anyone that believes the Minneapolis area is anywhere on par with Maine in terms of Winter sports like skiing, or an enjoyable winter in general, must be thinking of a different Minneapolis.
Likewise for school sports in comparing Colby to Macalester.
Read the OP’s question.
This is just another attempt by posters to push city schools.
It’s not posters “pushing city schools,” it’s people having different interests. Minneapolis doesn’t have the Maine skiing (although it will have other outdoor activities), but Waterville doesn’t have the 16th-largest metro in the nation. Each of them has different things to offer.
People definitely go skiing at Colby. 90% of what our tour guide talked about was all the skiing. It will probably be easier to be a walk-on at Mac, since it’s not so athletic.
@OnTheBubble
Yes, the skiing is better in ME vs MN, but your comment that there is “nothing, nothing outdoor to do” in MN is just ridiculous and not helpful to the OP.
Skiing, cross country, snow shoeing, not to mention pond hockey! Plus the abundance of lakes and walking trails makes for a lot to do. Totally agree with @Morandi that MN people know how to avoid cabin fever!
It has great Nordic skiing (my favorite). And don’t forget broomball! There is downhill skiing a couple hours away on the north shore of Lake Superior (which rivals Maine for natural beauty). MN is not without it’s charms, that is for sure. And there is nothing wrong with wanting a “city school” as well. It isn’t like Mac is in a gritty area – it is actually one of the most charming neighborhoods I know.
But the OP has not answered the question – are they off the waitlist at one or the other? I’d just like confirmation that you are not double deposited.
@OnTheBubble there is no agenda to “push city schools.” I know from previous posts that you are no fan of diversity.