<p>I'm trying to narrow down my list of out-of-state applications (in-state is New College of Florida) and I've narrowed it down to Grinnell and Macalester. Oberlin and a few other schools are still in my mind but I probably won't get in. I know the best way to get into either of these schools is early decision so it's really important that I narrow it down, if possible. I'm interested in the social sciences and I really want a school with a great fine arts program. Additionally, financial aid is incredibly important. I really want to try to get a feel for theses schools because I might not be able to visit them. Lewis and Clark is also an option but I'm not sure it's very academically intense, so advice on LC would be great too. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>They’re very similar Midwestern LACs, and honestly I’d say apply to both. If you need to pick just one, though, I can give you Grinnell’s side of the story. I don’t know as much about Macalester, so I’ll let someone else talk about them.</p>
<p>Grinnell has:
-A huge focus on social justice, more than any other college I’ve ever been to.
-Students that go on to earn PhDs at the 7th highest rate of all colleges/universities in the country ([REED</a> COLLEGE PHD PRODUCTIVITY](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/ir/phd.html]REED”>Doctoral Degree Productivity - Institutional Research - Reed College)).
-Some of the strongest foreign language and anthropology programs in the country
-Amazing facilities thanks to the enormous endowment. I don’t have the numbers, but I believe it’s much more common to study sciences or do pre-med at Grinnell than at most other LACs, since Grinnell has put a lot of money into the science programs in recent years.
-A policy to meet 100% of financial need with minimal to no loans. Admissions are also need-blind for domestic students.
-A major drug/alcohol culture on campus. We set a new record for alcohol-related hospitalizations this year.
-An enormous workload that will make you want to cry during hell week.</p>
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<p>So this is a plus? I’d take it instead as a warning signal that something’s seriously amiss in the campus culture, and in the adult supervision and guidance that Grinnell students are getting. The fact that Grinnell students are setting records for putting themselves so much in harm’s way that they need to be hospitalized is most emphatically NOT something to be celebrated (if, indeed, that is the case).</p>
<p>In Mac’s favor (no affiliation here), I’d say:
- Global focus is #1, more so than any college I’m aware of.
- Very pleasant urban setting, smack between downtown Saint Paul and downtown Minneapolis, dynamic cities with tons of urban amenities, and lots of cute shops and restaurants within an easy stroll from campus; yet a very safe, inviting, mellow neighborhood. Pound for pound, perhaps the most desirable urban setting of any college in America, large or small.</p>
<p>^ I think Kudryavka was trying to present both sides of his/her school (the minuses as well as the plusses.) S/he’s alerting the OP that, along with all of Grinnell’s great qualities, this is a problem. To me as a parent, it’s not just a little minus on a balance sheet full of plusses. It’s a big red flag. Substance abuse seems to be a common theme at many isolated rural schools. </p>
<p>Grinnell may have a small edge for academics and for its financial resources (which might result in a slightly better aid package). However, as bclintonk suggests, Mac has a much more desirable location. I don’t know about the art departments at either school but Minneapolis-St. Paul is a pretty good area for theater, art museums, and more.</p>
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<p>Yes, just about. The rivals for that claim would include Barnard (women only), Colorado College (in a smaller, sleepier city), then a bunch of others that stretch the concept of “urban”. The one negative about Mac’s setting is the frigid winter (but you get that at Grinnell, too.)</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the help so far, I was just wondering if any of you know about Macalester’s financial aid? It’s so hard to find clear information on financial aid (for me, at least), so that would be really helpful. Thanks!</p>
<p>Regarding substance abuse, nearly every school has that problem. College kids get messed up. It’s not an isolated thing.</p>
<p>Macalester and Grinnell are similar in so many ways that for me it may come down to whether I preferred a more rural or urban campus. They both have outstanding academic reputations and programs. Good luck to you!</p>
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<p>Compare Macalester’s and Grinnell’s numbers on the Kiplinger’s “Best Value” college site.
([Best</a> Values in Private Colleges, 2010-11](<a href=“Kiplinger | Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts”>Kiplinger | Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts))</p>
<p>If you want more details, download each school’s Common Data Set file. Go to section H for information about the number of students receiving need-based and merit aid, average amounts, and so forth.</p>
<p>I’m a New College grad. I’m shocked to see it mentioned here, as it’s not on the radar. I understand the interest in the other schools, but if they don’t work out, New College is a fantastic choice. You are lucky to have it as an in state option!</p>
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This year there have been a record number of hospitalizations, but NO ONE has died. Students have been going to the hospital and then get released an hour later. Then they meet with RLC’s (Residence Life Coordinators, who live in the residence halls, are master’s-level professionals in Student Affairs), the head of Student Affairs, and other staff to determine a plan so they are not hospitalized again. The college is doing a good job of keeping kids safe and alive.</p>
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Grinnell actually has more international students and more students study abroad. Look the the common data sets of the schools to see the difference. </p>
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But not everyone wants this. I love that Grinnell is in a small town, with quaint coffee shops, a little ice cream shop, bakeries (including one that allows students to come at 2am), and all of the other perks of small town life. We are less than one hour away from Des Moines and Iowa City, and it is easy to get to either any weekend. </p>
<p>Grinnell also just finished building a beautiful art building and it is not that hard to get to Des Moines.</p>
<p>Grinnellian-- Your review was really helpful and I was wondering if you know any more information about the art department? I’ve heard Macalester gives more funding to theirs and more attention in general?</p>
<p>redpoint-- I was wondering if you looked at any other LACs before deciding on New College and, if so, how you thought New College compared? My main problem with New College is the location and city around it (I hate Florida weather and I hate Sarasota) and, of course, that it’s not as well known (not a big deal, but something I’m taking into consideration).</p>
<p>For the record, drug/alcohol culture is NOT something I take into consideration. That’s not who I am at all and I don’t think it reflects very much on the school (I already know about Grinnell’s self-gov policy).</p>
<p>Grinnell’s location is a plus for my own Grinnellian as well. He loves the small-town feel, where strangers look him in the eye and he can get on his bike and in one minute be in gorgeous countryside.</p>
<p>I thought Macalester was a fabulous school, though, and agree about the characterization of the Twin Cities. My son crossed it off his list because he didn’t like how the campus wasn’t completely self-contained; the dorms are located in the surrounding streets. </p>
<p>Here’s a photo gallery of the arts facilities at Grinnell:
[Bucksbaum</a> Center for the Arts Photo Gallery - About | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/aboutinfo/map/bucksbaum/photogallery]Bucksbaum”>http://www.grinnell.edu/aboutinfo/map/bucksbaum/photogallery)</p>