Hi everyone. I’ve recently been accepted to Macalester College and Franklin and Marshall College as an international student. I got aid from both, but Macalester’s aid is a bit short and I might have to take out loans from other sources, or something, to make up for the gap. F&M gave me more aid than I applied for! I am going to visit them and attend the Admitted Student event in April. Right now, I’m in the middle of trying to choose which college to go to, and I need some firsthand info.
Here are my questions:
Which school would be better for undergrad research?
Which school would be better looking to graduate schools?
Which school has more accessible professors?
Overall, which school has better academics & student life?
I am planning on majoring in Bio (animal behavior/ecology/wildlife bio) and Gender Studies - in the future, I want to work on improving sex ed in Japan, or work with animals. I haven’t decided yet. I’m a very liberal person. I play the cello and love music. I also want to be around art. I like going to parties, just not all the time. I’m not a sports person, and I want a rigorous language program.
I am aware that F&M just created the Gender Studies major last year, so it might not be very good. But that’s also why I’d like to hear more about it.
Thanks!
Email Macalester. Ask whether they might use professional judgement to reassess your financial aid package, since there’s a difference with F&M and they’re your first choice.
Macalester would be a better personal fit based on what you say, but if they don’t come up with a better package after your request, go to F&M and don’t look back as boh are excellent for undergrad research, grad school prospets, accessible professors, and student life in general.
@MYOS1634 Thanks for your input. I wonder if emailing instead of writing by mail would have a negative impact, bc I want to contact them as soon as possible. Also, I wonder if it’s worth it to contact them, as I don’t have an unusual circumstance - it’s just that I have a sister with the same goal (studying abroad), and who goes to a private school.
NO, email’s what is expected in those circumstances.
Outline the fact you have a sister in private school (don’t speak of “plans to study abroad”) and just use the terme “might you be able to reassess my financial aid package using your professional judgement as to whether this warrants a review.” you could do on stating “Macalester is my first choice but the way F&M evaluated my need is very different, so I was wondering whether you might be able to review my financial circumstances.”
No one writes letters any more – just email them.
@intparent alright - thanks! @MYOS1634 thanks for the detailed advice. Do any of you know how selective the Charles J. Turck scholarship is? I received it, and want to know, because if it is quite selective that probably means I’m a desired applicant.
The student life part of that really depends on what you’re looking for. Have you read any descriptions of the schools in college guides like Fiske or Princeton Review? Macalester has a very liberal, politically active student body, with a strong emphasis on global citizenship (even the logo on their marketing is a creative take on a globe). F&M has a lot of varsity athletes and a strong fraternity and sorority culture. I’m thinking Mac is the better fit, based on your self-description as “very liberal”.
Academically, I think it’s fair to say they’re peer institutions, but based on things like test scores, graduation rates and a few other metrics I could find, I’d give a small edge to Mac. I would expect both schools to have accessible profs, good research opportunities, and successful records of grad school placement.
Mac also seems like the better fit to for your interests, . Specifically regarding music and art, I can tell you that Mac just recently opened a beautiful new fine arts facility. Their recital hall is gorgeous (though, for all I know, the F&M facilities may be great, too – we didn’t visit that school). Regarding languages, while both schools seem to have fairly active foreign language departments, there’s more breadth at Macalester.
None of that means you couldn’t be perfectly happy at F&M, however. It’s also a fine school. Good luck!
Yeah, from what you have said Mac is the better choice. But if you can’t pay for it, then it isn’t a choice. It makes sense to try to get more aid.