Mac's Social Scene

<p>I applied but haven't had a chance to visit yet (i'm from New York). I also don't really know anybody who goes there, can somebody describe the whole social scene/atmosphere there?</p>

<p>I'd like to know as well.</p>

<p>Any overnight experiences at least?</p>

<p>I had an overnight there! Since I lived a few hours away I visited on a Friday because then I didn't have to miss two days of school.</p>

<p>Everyone was very nice, happy, excited by the new school year. They had a DJ by the cafeteria for a long time and a student group held an event. Even if you didn't really know each other, everyone was just friendly and nice. Positive, really.</p>

<p>Every type of person was there, the international kids (duh), goths, jocks, etc. They hung out with each other but I'm not sure if it was soo exclusive.</p>

<p>My host and her artsie friends watched a movie in the dorm lounge on the floor before going into a person's room and hanging out, drinking. They stressed to me if I didn't want to, I didn't have to. I had a small glass, about it.</p>

<p>Obviously, there were party kids. The CC team just got back from a meet and were going out somewhere. Its the cities so you can go partying if you want or you can stay in. Outside the window I heard people playing frisbee (9-10 PM...maybe later I can't tell you) and just generally having a good time.</p>

<p>If you want to go walk around some of the streets, smoke pot, you can do that too. I saw someone that stopped by every hour a bit higher than before. I stayed away from him because I'm not into that.</p>

<p>Everyone I saw just stressed on personal choices, if you wanted to; you can. You can find any type of people to hang out with.</p>

<p>As for the gay community; yeah, its active. Someone said a 1/3 are gay. I hung out with quite a few, some more flamboyant than others. The school is ranked 1st in the gay community by PR I think.</p>

<p>I think what really impressed me was the intelligence of the community. They were bright kids. Even though they were drunk, they could still speak coherent spanish and german.</p>

<p>Turn off: Yeah, these are rich kids. They come off a bit pretentious and snotty. Its middle class naivety that they hold. They are a bit entitled and really don't understand the working class perspective. Their arrogance can be annoying but underneath are good kids.</p>

<p>Hopefully that helps.</p>

<p>Hi - My daughter from NYC is a junior at Mac. You have both the college and the wider, groovy world of St. Paul, so there's lots to do. All activities are accessible - it's easy to get involved and from there the social network grows. Lots of parties in houses off campus where kids tend to move after sophomore year, potlucks and dance parties, and as the visitor mentioned - a very easy attitude toward your choice of what to drink, smoke or not. One thing about the parties off campus - the cops do get called fairly often because of noise, not rowdiness. So a party will go until about 1am til the neighbors get fed up, I guess. What's wonderful from my parental perspective is that because the social groups form around activities, all kinds of kids from all kinds of places hang out together.
Do ask the admissions office to put you in touch with someone you can ask questions of, more directly.</p>

<p>Oh, and I should also mention that unlike a lotta places, socio economics do not seem to be an issue. There is no "have to wear this" and activities are cheap and easy. As for being "a bunch of rich kids," I don't think so. Most kids, including my NYC daughter, have jobs on or off campus, even those not on financial aid - though a majority seem to be.</p>