<p>Which would you choose and why?</p>
<p>people are very individual, i dont feel like you'd get a whole lot of help in aiding your decision here, maybe im wrong. they're both strong liberal arts colleges in the middle of nowhere. maybe grinnell so, i dont remember much from when i visited carleton. visit them, see what you like. if you think carleton's worth it...then go...its pretty straightforward.</p>
<p>Son was waitlisted at Carleton and admitted to Grinnell where he is now a very happy student. I must say that, at the time, I had a tiny twinge of regret when son didn't get off the wait list at Carleton. It seems very much like Grinnell - attracts a lot of the same applicants - but with a student body that may include more kids who are more athletic/mainstream than at Grinnell. And, of course, it's got a better Princeton Review rating for whatever that's worth. My impressions of Carleton, by the way, aren't based on seeing it in person - we never visited. So I've probably been influenced by the brochures! However, our son also got money at Grinnell - we were holding our breadth while we let him make his decision without taking money into account. We were positively thrilled when he decided on Grinnell - which almost cut the cost of college in half vs some of the northeast LACs he was considering. Now that he's at Grinnell, we've come to find a great deal to like about it. In terms of the quality of the education, I find it hard to believe that Carleton would be any better than Grinnell. Also, Grinnell is making an effort to attract a wealthier student population - and the students say that the new kids are a little preppier, for lack of a better word. The college is putting a lot into student life facilities now -- new dorms, new student center/dining hall, new workout facility. I have the impression that the kids at Grinnell might be more interested in social justice issues - it has the highest per capita rate of Peace Corps volunteers in the US.
If the money isn't important, then I would say let your child make the decision. If the money is significant, then I'd say take a good look at Grinnell.</p>
<p>One fundamental difference is trimesters or semesters. Each has it's pro/cons but you need to include it in the decision.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Also, Grinnell is making an effort to attract a wealthier student population - and the students say that the new kids are a little preppier, for lack of a better word.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I really hope that is not the case. My family is not wealthy at all, we are struggling right now, and one of the most promising things about applying to Grinnell is that they are seeking motivated, intelligent students who do not come from wealthy families and are willing to pay for whatever the student cannot. Or at least, I hope they still do.</p>
<p>They're not excluding anyone -- and they are still commited to being need blind. What they've said is that they've started marketing somewhat more heavily into wealthier areas. Part of the reason they want to do this is so they can continue to be need blind - because more students will be paying the full tuition which will help to offset the cost of financial aid. A very high percentage of Grinnell students receive financial/merit aid, and I believe they are one of the few colleges to offer significant financial aid to international students. A lot of other LACs have started to back off their "need blind" promise - and Grinnell wants to avoid that. There was a huge debate about this on campus last year. You can probably read about it online in the Scarlet & Black (the student newspaper).</p>
<p>What about Grinnel at half price ($90,000 total) vs. Dartmouth or Swarthmore or Amherst or Gerogetown or Middlebury for $180,000?</p>
<p>Grinnell is my "discount school" because it is not much of a compromise for the money, in contrast to some of my others.</p>
<p>If you think it's not much of a compromise for the money, why do you come on this board and ask us about it. To brag?</p>
<p>It's not much to brag about, sorry, because frankly, I'm not impressed. I think Grinnell stands on its own compared to the "prestigeous" schools you seem to favor so much. Grinnell has that certain character, always had the sensitively intelligent and globally aware student body equipped with the undivided academic attention and intellectual training that comes with being part of the Scarlet and Black. </p>
<p>And frankly, the way you come on the Grinnell forum and subtly disrespect the school and the supporters makes me quite annoyed. The tone of your writing, the certain things you said on the various threads, leads me to this conclusion. I truly am sorry if I'm wrong, though. From your writings on this forum, especially in your reply to this thread, seems to make me think you have this elitist attitude about getting accepted to more nationally ranked schools. To say that Grinnell is "beneath" other schools like Darthmouth, Amherst, and etc. is quite insulting, no? </p>
<p>If you're considering Grinnell just because of the "discount" and not even knowing the vast opportunities and advantages of going to the school, then I advise you go to Dartmouth or Amherst for the always glorious prestige factor. Grinnell had always said they wanted those who truly appreciate and respect their school for all its worth, and to me, unfortunately, you' don't seem to be one of those people.</p>
<p>Absolutley not.</p>
<p>In fact, what I am saying is that from how I see it now, Grinnell is near or at the academic levels of the nations very top Liberal Arts colleges. </p>
<p>I came to this forum to voice what I am thinking at the moment to hear what people with other experiences think.</p>
<p>I have the highest respect for Grinnell, I recieved significantly better offers at other schools, but Grinnell is such a great school for such a great price that I am very seriously considering it. Why pay twice as much for a product of the same quality? If it comes down to that, then Grinnell will be on top.</p>
<p>I hope I have explained a bit of my reasoning. I hope that I haven't offended you, White Materia. Money is a serious consideration, because although my parents could technically pay $180,000 for college, It would be an extreme financial hardship. College education is no picnic for the middle class (plus I have a brother who is only one year younger).</p>
<p>Once again, I really like Grinnell, and so much that I'm visiting it next weekend (can't say that about Dartmouth or Swarthmore who I have only visited for 1/2 a day each one year ago). I hope that it lives up to or surpasses my expectations and dreams.</p>
<p>Ah. </p>
<p>Then I apologize, Nickleby. Sorry for the misunderstanding, I just go to a school where all the students think about is prestige. Misdirected anger, I guess.</p>
<p>I understand. Personally, I really don't want my decision to be affected by presitge, but I see it seeping in. While I am not a big fan of Harvard, If I had gotten in, I still don't see myself choosing it over Dartmouth, Swarthore, or Amherst. Princeton and Yale, however, I love, and am afraid of how much of that is valid.</p>
<p>That is why I have to visit Grinnell. Hopefully it will make my decision harder by being wonderful.</p>
<p>Ironically, at my school, prestige is nothing. Less than 10 out of 550 students in my senior class even looked at the top ranked schools in the nation with any serious thought. Even a place like Grinnell, a much better alternative costwise and education-wise than our state schools, had never been heard of before me.</p>
<p>Wherever you go, I'm sure it's going to be a worthwhile investment because college is what you make of it. It doesn't matter how great a college is unless you take advantage of what they have to offer. Harvard, Yale, Grinnell, or State University, it applies to all schools. </p>
<p>But you gotta make sure you vist the schools you are seriously considering, because you don't want the headache later on about transferring. I sure wouldn't.</p>