<p>I posted this same thread on the Parents Forum, so my apologies if you've already read it, but thought I'd cast a wider net and try here and on the Earlham forum as well...</p>
<p>My daughter applied to 7 schools and although she has 3 left to hear from, in her mind it's really down to Macalester and Earlham as her two top options. We visited Earlham 2 weeks ago and she absolutely loved it, to the point that she said "that's it, I'm done looking", and we cancelled out a second visit on our trip and headed home. The only school that she said she'd like to re-visit would be Macalester, if she was accepted. Two days ago she received an early-write acceptance from Macalester so now plans on visiting there during one of their accepted students' days in early April.</p>
<p>We had visited Mac in April of her junior year and she really liked it, but she definitely wants to return now that she's a senior and has a lot more to compare it with. At Earlham she loved the strong sense of engaged, socially aware students, their Peace and Global Studies major, the Quaker vibe, and the large percentage of international students. At Macalester she loved the location of the school, the friendly students, the large percentage of international students, the International Studies major, and the awesome food in Cafe Mac. Both schools offer tremendous opportunity for study abroad experiences.</p>
<p>I'd be curious to hear from any parents of students and/or students at these schools for your thoughts and insight. Ultimately it will be her decision, and I'm sure she'll have stronger leanings once she visits again in April, but I'm wondering how this will all play out! One other note is that we've received the financial aid award letter from Earlham, which looks doable, but haven't yet received the award letter from Macalester, so that might factor into the equation as well. Thanks -</p>
<p>My kid applied to Macalester and plans to visit there this month. He also visited Earlham but decided not to apply. </p>
<p>As you probably already know, Mac is a more selective school. It accepts 42% of applicants, compared to 69% at Earlham. Average M+V SAT scores at Earlham are 1340, compared to 1440 at Mac (which is competitive with scores at the most selective small colleges in the country). </p>
<p>Earlham professors earn lower salaries than Mac professors ($61,831 for Earlham vs. $78,783 for Mac, though Earlham presumably is in a lower cost-of-living area). Earlham's student retention is much lower than Mac's (82% vs. 93%). You might want to investigate why this many Earlham freshmen apparently fail to graduate from there (which does surprise me, based on good things I've heard about the place).</p>
<p>(My source for these figures is: Top</a> 2000 Ranked Universities for Highest Overall School Score . Note, there seem to be quite a few factual errors on this site, but the information I've cited - other than perhaps the Earlham retention rate - is consistent with what I'd have expected in comparing the 2 schools).</p>
<p>By these objective measures, Macalester would seem to be a "better" school. However, you have to ask yourself, how much do these factors really matter to *you<a href="or%20more%20importantly,%20to%20your%20daughter.">/i</a> These are both good colleges that attract good students. They both offer small class sizes and a similar program of instruction. Earlham is a few thousand dollars cheaper. And clearly, if your daughter really loves the place (or hates the thought of Minnesota winters), that counts for a lot. </p>
<p>If it comes down to having no clear preference after your visits, I would think you could safely make your choice based on cost, if the difference is significant. But if that difference is not too great, and you really do like them both about the same after the visits, I would lend some credence to the "objective" factors and go with Macalester.</p>
<p>With a child at Mac, location was really an important factor. The place is wonderful, the students are academically and socially engaged, but the setting in a lovely urban area was and is critical. The Twin Cities are one of the nicest metropolitan areas in the country and there are myriad internship opportunities.</p>
<p>A happy update to the question… my daughter just returned with my husband from the Spring Sampler for Admitted Students at Mac, walked in the door, and said “I made up my mind and I’m going to Macalester”. She loved her second visit to the campus and came away very impressed with the students, academics, and the opportunities available in the St. Paul area. She thought she’d major in International Studies, but found that the Environmental Studies program really excites her. She still thinks Earlham would have been a great choice, but after having lived her life in a rural area thus far likes the idea of striking out into a more urban area. Thanks to all for your responses to my initial question!</p>
<p>Best of luck. Hope she loves it! It’s been a great fit for my daughter and she’s grown tremendously. My only advice is to encourage her to get out in the Cities, since that location is an advantage to Mac.</p>
<p>I’m so pleased for your daughter that she had an experience at the Sampler that brought her a clear sense of what she preferred to choose! I hope she has a terrific experience at Mac from start to finish. You will enjoy your parent experience there as well; the school offers a wonderful Parent Orientation when you bring your daughter to campus. We were truly impressed. Feel free to pm me at any time if you or your daughter have questions throughout the spring and summer. Best wishes to you all!</p>