<p>Macalester is one of the schools I've been accepted to and I'm having a hard time making a decision. The others are Whitman, Lewis and Clark, and Colorado College. They are all in more outdoorsy environments than Macalester which is appealing but I'm interested in international studies which Macalester highlights. I'm also wanting to work towards veterinary school so I need a strong science undergrad.
If anyone has any advice about Macalester in general, about their biology and other science program, outdoor opportunities, etc. it would be much appreciated. Also how would you describe the people there, when I visited I ended up staying overnight with a very strange girl which didn't give me the best impression so I'm trying to find out what other kind of people there are.</p>
<p>Macalester has many connections in the medical research companies in the Twin Cities. That was one of the attractive things about it for my daughter who wants to major in bio. She was pleased with the science offerings too.</p>
<p>The kids from our high school who have gone there have been very good students, maybe not the top 5, but certainly smart and serious about their education. The ones I am thinking of now were not in the least bit strange or quirky - more athletic with good people skills. Although they take their education seriously, they are not likely to dissolve into tears if they don't get all As.</p>
<p>Ultimately my daughter did not decide to attend but that was more out of a desire to leave Minnesota. She really agonized over the decision.</p>
<p>Undecided, my kid also was accepted to Macalester and Colorado College, so I'll confine comments to these 2 schools. I think they are both excellent.</p>
<p>With respect to the biological sciences in general, I don't know anything about the relative strengths of the faculties or facilities. However, I do think Colorado College's location, and the Block Plan, both have advantages for biology field work. The location at the foot of the Rockies means you are in easy access to several climactic zones as you go up and down in altitude. I understand, too, that Colorado Springs is at a north/south juncture between major habitat zones. The Block Plan allows a class to go into the field without worrying about schedule competition from other courses. You have breaks after every block, so if you like, you can plan your own field trips with local flora, fauna, and fun in mind. Finally, I understand CC has a cadaver dissection lab, unusual for a small college. Any chance you'll change focus from animals to people?</p>
<p>Mac is great, too. The Twin Cities location has major benefits, especially if you are not a super outdoorsy person and if you can hack the cold. </p>
<p>Are you going to the open house at CC next week? I'd love to hear your impressions of these 2 schools after you get a chance to visit both. I don't think you can go wrong with either one ... unless the Block Plan does not work for you, or you can't cope with the cold.</p>
<p>I actually have visited both but CC I visited in the summer so there weren't any students there. Luckily I have a friend who is a freshman there this year and I was able to talk to him about his experience. His comments were mostly positive about the block plan and it sounded like he had a great balance btwn activities and school work. The outdoor experience there is a very appealing aspect for Colorado College in comparison to Mac. The impression I got from visiting Mac was really good besides the roomate. I was lucky enough to be there during their alumni campaign kickoff and got to see many performances by the students. I could really see the global focus too with international food, music, and videos made by alumni.
that's a good point about the environment for biological studies, I hadn't thought about the junction between habitat zones and differing climatic zones.
thanks!</p>
<p>I have visited all four of the colleges you mention. I think CC, MAC, and Whitman are a bit stronger academically and have more students from throughout the country while L and C is more NW and west coast based. I have a daughter at MAC and she has found a richness in the diversity of the student body (over 10% international and kids from all over including ex pat kids), a benefit to being in a metropolitan area of 3 million (museums, etc), and a good safe neigbhorhood with good food and good professors. It is an easy 20 minute cab ride to an airport that has direct flights to most parts of the country. MAC gave the best aid of the schools my daughter was accepted at and seems to have good science facilities though the ones I saw at Whitman were also good. I think alot depends on where you live and the kind of experience you want for college. CC seemed very nice but also seemed like a liberal island in a community that has become more conservative. Not sure how the block plan works but it makes CC very unique. Good luck</p>