So my application season has pretty much ended for me, and I have been admitted to Macalester College and the University of Richmond. I have seen a lot of pros for both colleges and would like some more opinions from you people on what college might suit me more. I can’t really visit these awesome places due to financial reasons so I have to rely on the online world here for info.
Some background here: I am an Asian student who is yet to enter the US. My high school academics has mostly been restricted to STEM and thus I am looking at an LAC experience to broaden my horizons and see if I am more suited to something else. Econ especially appeals to me from whatever I have seen of it till now. However, in the end, I am a little money-oriented and am looking for a high-paying major that keeps me happy (CompSci comes in here, maybe Econ as well). I am yet to decide whether I will go to grad school or straight into the job market after graduation, but it’s most likely the former and thus I would like a college with great grad school prospects. (I know everyone claims to want this, but I really want to get into a UCBerkeley-level grad school and want to maximize all chances towards that goal)
I’ll list down my views on both colleges below. Please correct if any assertion is wrong. I’d also like your opinion on this choice and other factors I should consider. Keep in mind that I would be on tight strings on both colleges and cannot engage in stuff like frats, too much travel and partying etc. (On high aid packages)
MAC:-
-Laid-back, nice, diverse community that appears to be geared towards facilitating international students much more than UofR. (and in my case, helpful for introverts)
-Urban location. Since I have been in urban areas my entire life, this is a big plus. (I know this isn’t a NYC type setting, but it’s much better than others). Leads to better internship opportunites and much easier travel for someone who might not have a car.
-No greek culture on the campus.
-Way too cold, I have never experienced this so idk if I’ll adapt or not. The buildings are centrally heated though, and we’ll mostly be inside I guess.
RICHMOND:-
-Offers BA and BS CS majors (in the possibility I don’t like the arts)
-Better repo.
-Guaranteed research funding. Wow.
-Less harsher climate.
-Some reviews paint it like a place more suited towards the affluent, white people. According to some stories I have seen, it lacks diversity and you’ll feel left out if you aren’t like the others. Dunno how true this is. I am introverted and don’t really socialize as easily as my other peers.
-Has a big drinking culture from what I can see on student reviews (I don’t drink, don’t plan to)
It’s really a choice between my happiness and my career and I hope to strike the right balance. I don’t think the (supposedly) better prospects at Richmond would be better if I am not fit for that community, as that will lead to a lower GPA and lesser ‘top’ research opportunities.
Macalester: 12.9% international, domestic students are 75.9% white; 30.6% non-financial aid
Richmond: 8.7% international, domestic students are 63.8% white; 59.3% non-financial aid; 32% of women in sororities, 19% of men in fraternities
I.e. Richmond is more affluent, but less white, and does have a significant sorority and fraternity presence.
While I’ll agree that U. of R has more robust CS offerings, Mac has a decent little department, too. And I’m not sure how you conclude that U. of R has a better reputation than Mac. I’d call them peer institutions. Mac actually has slightly higher test scores and is a bit higher in the USNWR rankings. I don’t think you’d be hampering your grad school prospects at all by picking Mac over U. of R.
@rayrick that was probably a wrong comment (regarding repo). It’s just that I had heard much more of Richmond than Macalester during my high school. Should have thought a little more before adding that. Apologies for that.
Yeah, rep wise I think Mac has the edge, due in part to some high profile alums and profs. I don’t know how well either one would be known outside the US.
Read through the commentary about each school on these forums. There may be some themes that come up over and over.
Haven’t been to U of R, have been to Mac. Mac seemed like a happy campus in my brief exposure. Students were eating together in small groups in dining hall (as opposed to lots of students alone.) On a pretty spring day (!) lots of students outside and it felt lively and vibrant.
Interesting that the stats show Mac to be whiter than U of R. One thing I really liked about Mac was the diversity in color and dress I saw.
You touched on this, but is one campus better at supporting international students? That might give you a head start.
What kind of programs on campus? Do most students live on campus all four years? As an introvert coming from abroad, strong social life on campus would be helpful to get you integrated.
I can’t offer any insights on either school’s CS programs, but from what I know of both of them (they’re both great schools) and having visited Mac, I’d say it would probably be a safer choice for an international student who can’t visit before committing. It has a strong commitment to multiculturalism and is located in a fantastic, vibrant, ethnically diverse city. It will be very cold, however. Only you can decide if you can handle that.
I will also say that Mac felt very left-leaning, whereas I get the sense Richmond is more moderate. Depending on where you’re coming from, one might be a better fit than the other in that regard.
How are the research opportunities at Mac? I know that internships are probably good given the location, but Richmond has a guaranteed funding for every student for a summer research program.
I would also add that an Asian student is going to have many more other Asian folks around in the community in St. Paul than in Richmond. A lot of ethnic diversity there.
Both good schools. I would give a slight edge to Mac, but you have two solid choices so cannot really go wrong.
All-round what would be a better choice for a person? I am onto CS but that is because my courseload is heavily science-oriented and LACs offer a chance for me to explore plenty of other stuff as well (Econ, Phil, PoliSci, History etc) that I am going to encounter. I won’t declare my major until my sophomore year in any case, but what I am going to make sure that my major is high-paying (which is where CS comes in handy).
People have recommended that Mac probably makes more sense for me, though Richmond might be better only if I am completely fixated on CS (which I don’t believe I am).
Here’s a question, how much does the Richmond $4k guarenteed research fund matter?
I mean, I have heard that STEM majors in LACs get research opportunities aplenty (especially in elite places like Macalester which have centres for this stuff). So, should I consider this Richmond fund, since I know I will be happy at both places and I really want to attend a top grad school.
Really, it’s this research fund that is kind of keeping me a little towards sticking to Richmond, otherwise Mac probably wins this on a like 55-45 scale.
I agree with posters that Mac is a noticeably more diverse place with a much larger, more interesting, surrounding city. Reputation slightly gives the nod to Mac as well. I do think you’d find it a better fit. The Richmond research funding for a CS major seems frankly superfluous given the wealth of funded opportunities in the field.
Obviously none of us is your, but given these factors I am leaning Mac for you also. But it is close, so ultimately there is no bad choice for you. I do think you will find a “fit” at Mac; not positive the same will be true at Richmond.
I can tell you that the Twin Cities does have CS opportunities for internships, such as Cray Supercomputers, etc. Really, if you have strong academics in CS you will should have plenty of options at either school.
Thanks everyone for the help along the way. I have ended up choosing Macalester as I felt it fitted me more in terms of location and student community (and it was easier for my family to afford so that helps).
Welcome to the Twin Cities and best of luck at Mac. Our goddaughter is finishing her sophomore year and absolutely have loved her educational experience!
Good luck with your college years; they are wonderful!