<p>I have been admitted to both carleton and cc and am having the toughest time deciding which one to go to. I am interested in environmental studies, history, jazz, the outdoors and cross country.</p>
<p>Here is what I have experienced. </p>
<p>Pro's of CC</p>
<p>Great environmental program
Tons of outdoor opportunities
Relaxed students</p>
<p>Pro's of Carleton</p>
<p>Very academically focused student body
Convocation
Lots of quirky, fun people</p>
<p>I didn't get the feel that people at CC are all that academically motivated and I am still skeptical about learning a whole semesters worth of material in a month. Also, it seems like people tend to go out a lot, such as on weekdays, which is a bit excessive in my opinion. As for Carleton, I don't know how well developed their environmental program is or how much fun people have there. </p>
<p>If you think Carleton is full of quirky, fun people, why do you worry they don’t have fun? </p>
<p>I can’t speak to Carleton’s environmental science in particular, but the school seems to be a strong science LAC (judging by the percentage of science majors and the number who go on to earn science PhDs). Environmental Science is rather derivative, anyway. So if the life sciences and physical sciences are strong, you should be able to get a good foundation for environmental studies.</p>
<p>My S is at CC and loves it. I agree, it’s good for environmental science. However, you seem to be leaning toward Carleton; your negatives don’t sound like show-stoppers. On the other hand, not being down with the Block Plan is a definite show-stopper for Colorado College.</p>
<p>Carleton has trimesters, which is someone different as well from the traditional college semester, but I agree with tk above that if you are not comfortable with Colorado’s distinctive block schedule, that is a real red light.</p>
<p>Tk, the reason why I am skeptical of the block plan is because I don’t know how well people actually learn from it. Can you tell me how your S feels about it and his experience?</p>
<p>^ The block plan is intense. It also adds a lot of flexibility in how classes are conducted. Every class, for the duration of the block, gets its own dedicated classroom, lab or studio for 24/7 use. This means that class discussions and team projects can and do spill over beyond the scheduled time. A class in geology or botany can be held in the mountains for several days of field work without worrying about scheduling around any other class. In this respect, I would say that for a field like environmental science, the block plan may be a more effective system. </p>
<p>The block plan is convenient. Block scheduling is arranged so that when you go on Thanksgiving break, your class is really done. There are no exams hanging over you for after you return from the holidays. There is a 4-day break (including the weekends) between blocks. This is great for taking advantage of everything the Rockies have to offer. Study abroad can be arranged for a full semester, or for as short as 3.5 weeks. “Venture grants” are available to support small research projects.</p>
<p>The block plan, from what I’ve been able to observe, seems to have given my S a greater sense of ownership and control over his learning experience than what he had in HS or what he might have had at a typical university.</p>
<p>I spent a year in Northfield, Minnesota so I’m fairly familiar with Carleton, too. It’s a somewhat more selective school with, perhaps, a somewhat more intellectual atmosphere than Colorado College. Not very much more so … but my son does wish there were a few more nerdy kids at CC. So far, that’s been nearly his only complaint. He has raved about his professors. He was accepted to Macalester but chickened out of even visiting after watching the Minnesota temperatures that winter. He wanted a LAC in/near an interesting city, or else in a great environment for outdoor activity. Colorado College offers a nearly unique combination of both, with a very nice (sunny and dry) climate.</p>
<p>There is quite a bit of overlap between the schools. Interestingly, in the geology department at Colorado College (which you would presumably see quite a bit of as an environmental science major), 2 of the 7 faculty members are women, and both got their undergrad degrees at Carleton.</p>
<p>Just as a side note, Carleton recently made their environmental studies concentration into a full major (within the last few years). </p>
<p>Both are excellent schools, with a similar vibe. Decide based on the block plan, because it’s by far the biggest distinguishing feature.</p>
<p>^ By the way, whichever school you choose, if you’re considering environmental science as a major (you and a bazillion other college students), do also at least consider geology as a major or minor. If you like science and the outdoors, it might be an interesting field for you. Either CC or Carleton would be a good place to study it. Both are Keck Consortium colleges ([Keck</a> Research Opportunities for Undergraduates | Keck Geology Consortium](<a href=“http://keckgeology.org/]Keck”>http://keckgeology.org/)).</p>
<p>I was a student at Colorado College (CC) for one year (way back in the 1970s) and I found it to be nearly ideal. I transferred to UT because of a need to be closer to home (family medical issues) and because I had decided to major in CS and CC did not offer a CS major at the time. However, I did get to experience the block plan and I found it worked for me. It means that the student will never have mulitiple tests or multiple papers or projects due on the same day and probably not on consecutive days. And, as tk mentioned, it means that class times and locations can be unconventional. </p>
<p>On the downside the block plan does not force the student to develop as many organizational skills, though that does leave more energy for focusing on the subject material. Another downside is that some follow the temptation to take an easy class and party/ski all month long, and sometimes that becomes a habit, but the vast majority of the students do not fall into that trap.</p>
<p>I can’t speak to the concerns you have about CC, never been, but certainly can to your two questions about Carleton.</p>
<ol>
<li>“how much fun people have there” ?</li>
</ol>
<p>Carleton has an academic, intellectually oriented student body that is pretty unique in combining, as you argue and I’d agree, “Lots of quirky, fun people.” Kids LOVE their experience at the school and don’t forget it. The alumni giving rate, at around 60%, is, year after year, #1 in the country. Several years ago Newsweek voted Carleton the “Most Fun Loving” school in the country:</p>
<p>MOST FUN-LOVING
Carleton College, Northfield, Minn.
Here’s a high-flyin’ statistic provided by a school: Carleton has about “1.9 Frisbees per student,” says Paul Thiboutot, dean of admissions. Carleton is also the kind of place where the president tells a ghost story on Halloween. </p>
<ol>
<li>“how well developed is their environmental program” ?</li>
</ol>
<p>I second tk’s opinion - I’m a geologist myself, and a ton of folks I know do environmental science-type work, especially in hydrology. I did a Keck project (geology field studies set up for a group of liberal arts schools, funded by NSF) a few years ago in Puerto Rico, where I met a Colorado College geo girl (I’m a former Carl, in case that wasn’t obvious). Based on our conversations, we had more similarities than differences - both programs put a huge emphasis on getting outside, and are strongly represented in grad schools. The schedule thing is obviously different - at Carleton, you take about 3 classes at a time for 10 weeks. Having to operate on a semester schedule now makes me realize how much better a trimester is - a semester is SO LONG. </p>
<p>I would imagine Colorado College folks have more of a chance to travel further afield in each class, since individual classes can just take off. Carleton folks, on the other hand, usually do 3-6 months worth of study abroad, often in department-run programs. (Geology regularly runs an Italy program and a New Zealand program.) The geology department also has week-long department trips a couple times a year, that anyone who has ever taken a geology class can join. The labs for each class are outside pretty much every week during spring and fall, but are somewhat limited by driving distance - primarily southern MN, northern IA, a little dabbling in WI.</p>
<p>As for the fun thing, well, obviously I’m a little biased, but I had a blast at Carleton, and now have plenty of stories that I am more than happy to be embarrassed about to this day. Can’t ask for more than that.</p>
<p>Both schools will get you outside, a ton, with outdoorsy and interesting people. Visit both, and decide based on your gut.</p>
<p>To address your question of whether Carleton is fun, I went to Carleton in the late 1970’s and my sister went in the mid-1980’s and we both had so much fun! Carleton is full of kids who are very bright, curious, and motivated but who are not “full of themselves” and know how to have fun! I worked very, very hard and had wonderful classes in biology, chemistry and physics that prepared me well for med school. However, many of my favorite memories are those of having fun with my friends: campouts at a nearby cabin with the Christian fellowship group, dances, volunteering with my friends (we went to a state hospital, which has since closed down), baking cookies, watching my friends act in Shakespeare plays on Mai Fete Island. I have never been to Colorado College, so I can’t comment on it other than to say that I’ve heard great things about it too!</p>