<p>Hey, internet, Im just some random pre-frosh whos narrowed down his choices for next year to Macalester and Kenyon. I totally love both these schools (different as they may be) and am going back to visit later this week. While I hope a second look will inspire me to move one way or the other I figured Id float a thread out there to see what suggestions people have for me. Ive read a lot of info claiming to know what these schools are really like but I think this forum might be the best place to gather information. As for my own interests I hope to study IR or IS next year and perhaps minor or double major in Environmental Studies.
This thread is really open to anything you have to say about either school. What is the social scene like? The party scene? How rigorous are the academics? Which programs are over the top excellent? Which programs arent?...
Any and all comments are appreciated!</p>
<p>Besides the obvious location location location…</p>
<p>If you want a good party scene, you’ve won with Kenyon. If you want to study English, Kenyon is a better bet. If you like trees, you’ll love Kenyon. If you want a cool dining hall, go to Kenyon. If you want preppier students, go to Kenyon.</p>
<p>If you want a more intellectual “party” scene, Mac rules. Social Sciences, again Mac. City, Mac. Great food, Mac. Less preppy students, Mac wins.</p>
<p>Macalester for International Studies and Environmental Studies; Kenyon for English.</p>
<p>Masquemom, do you have some inside scoop on Environmental Studies at Macalester?
Anything in particular that makes it special?</p>
<p>My kid is down to Colorado College, Mac, and a public honors college. CC has a lot going for it with respect to ES. The block plan allows for focused field work without interruptions from class schedules. Also, the Rocky Mountain location puts you close to several important habitat zones.</p>
<p>So what about Mac? Any interesting facilities, professors, courses in this field?</p>
<p>I am also deciding between Mac and Kenyon. The thing that worries me a bit with Macalester is males to females ratio. Also, during my visit to Macalester the past weekend, I didn’t see much interaction between the genders. There were multiple groups of boys and multiple groups of girls, which didn’t mix and interact. Was it incorrect impression?</p>
<p>I went to Kenyon. My daughter is a junior at Mac. I vote Mac. Both schools are academically equal, but the isolation of Kenyon led to my transferring out. I wish I had stayed because Kenyon was a way better school than where I transferred to and graduated from. If I had been a student at Mac, I would have stayed there. Keep in mind that I grew up in Ohio and maybe I just needed to get out of the state I grew up in.</p>