<p>i am trying to decide if i should apply ED to Carleton..so i have a few questions. </p>
<p>overall, what is the social life like at carleton?.....are the students fun? i know this isn't a necessarily a reliable source, but on studentsreview.com people said parties were close nil. i'm not necessarily a hard partier, but i would like somewhat of a social life in college, etc. i've also "heard" that ppl there "don't care about what they look like." i am by any no means obsessed with my looks, but i care. does this mean i moght be completely out of my element?</p>
<p>also, how is the stress level year round? i go to a very competitive school and am pretty sick of the so-called "grade-grubbers" that constantly surround me. </p>
<p>thanks so much. i may be overthinking this, but any comments would be very helpful. :)</p>
<p>There is definitely a social life at Carleton. You'll have your choice of activities and/or parties; there were many times my daughter had to pick and choose what she'd do. As for appearances, it's more of a do what you want type place. There will be people who dress well, and some who don't. Carleton students are pretty accepting of whatever you want to do.</p>
<p>Finally, President Oden has always proclaimed Carleton's lack of corrosive competitiveness. By that, he means that while a Carleton student will aim high, they will not do so at the cost to others. The students are there to learn more than to get the "A".</p>
<p>I hope you have the opportunity to visit and see first-hand what Carleton students are like. Good luck!</p>
<p>wow. thank you soo much for your reply. you've reinforced all that i had thought/dreamed Carleton is/would be! thanks again :)</p>
<p>There are plenty of parties, but they're pretty low-key.</p>
<p>If you try at all to look put together, you will be in the minority of students here, but not a freak. Most people, despite how they dressed in high school, eventually get sucked into a vortex of sloppiness: going to class in pajama bottoms, never wearing makeup except for mid-winter ball, forget about coordinating accessories (or even having accessories)...</p>
<p>I've only ever witnessed a few instances of grade grubbing here ("[Professor's first name], I don't think my grade on this exam is representative of my abilities, can we discuss this?" sorts of stuff) and it always takes me by surprise since it's much less frequent than it was in high school. Most Carleton students don't grade grub, and most professors won't respond to it unless you had a legitimately good reason to get your grade raised. People here are generally not competitive with each other or gunning for a specific grade. Everybody talks about how much work they have, but nobody talks about how well they are doing.</p>
<p>Do people have spontaneous discussions about stuff they are studying? </p>
<p>Also, what are accessories??? lol</p>
<p>My son has found plenty of social opportunities at Carleton, in fact, more than when he was in high school. Although he has never been overly concerned with clothes or style, he went vegetarian, started working out at the gym and riding his bike, and now he is very trim and fit. Somebody there must have been a good influence. :)</p>
<p>Do people have spontaneous discussions about stuff they are studying?</p>
<p>I asked my daughter about that, because that was one of the things we heard about Carleton, and she said yes, it's true, she's had some pretty amazing conversations.</p>
<p>Wow, that's pretty much the primary thing I'm looking for in a college. In high school, none of my friends are really interested in what they study, but just grades. I always just want to talk to someone about how interesting a certain subject is or whatever.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, the other thing I really like about Carleton is the easy access to Malt-O-Meal, which is not available here in Michigan (at least I've never seen it). That stuff is good! :)</p>
<p>Then you're going to love the Cereal Bowl. It's the annual football game between Carleton and St. Olaf (which is almost always won by the Oles). Attendees get free MaltOMeal.</p>