<p>As someone headed to an LAC next year, I just want to say thanks for the compliments. :(</p>
<p>You can't judge all LAC's by one school that is nowhere near the top of the LAC list, no offense.</p>
<p>Many LAC's are Div. III where people play sports just for the fun of it and don't really care so much about it and prefer discussing politics or philosophy.</p>
<p>I hear you, I had a very unpleasant time at Carthage, got the hell out of there. I would recommend you do the same.</p>
<p>I opened this thread thinking it would be "GIRLS: What is the shortest guy you would date? (Part Deux)"</p>
<p>Utterly disappointed.</p>
<p>All depends on the LAC you go to, as others have pointed out, and your personal taste. Because LACs are small, the campus develops a very distinct and powerful culture, which can be quite unbearable if you don't mesh well with that culture.</p>
<p>I attend Carleton College and love it to pieces. A huge number of my classmates applied early decision and are loving it just as much. For some people, however, it's just not for them. I would define our culture as intensely curious, academically devoted, cooperative, Minnesota-nice (sometimes to the point of neurosis), fiercely fun-loving, and (oh, the dreaded word, but it has to be said) "quirky." I know two or three people who are transferring out. Why? For one, his girlfriend was home in California and the weather and culture of Minnesota were just too different for him to feel comfortable. Another girl, from a VERY prestigious Northeastern prep school, left because she did not like the extremely laid-back, noncompetitive attitude and the admittedly neurotic sides of the prevailing Minnesota-nice. Compared to a gaggle of brisk, witty, and "polished" Northeasterners, Carls are more gawkish and earthy.</p>
<p>Kossitan: Was the "straight from the county fair" really necessary? It's that kind of statement that makes those of us in the Midwest look askance at the prep school phenomenon. Besides, while the culture of a school like Carleton or Knox definitely shows its Midwest heritage, the people may have diverse origins. My group of friends includes California private school kids, city public schoolers from Chicago, prep students from the Northeast, and, yes, the son of a Minnesota dairy farmer. </p>
<p>What you may have noticed at Knox is something that I noticed at Carleton-- people are not concerned with appearing interesting and they don't wear their accomplishments on their sleeves. Along the way, however, you discover the craziest things about your peers and really start to respect them. The meathead 6'7" football player living down the hall turns out to be a math prodigy as well as a military history nut. That adorably awkward physics girl is actually a whiz at the french horn. See a bird you don't recognize? Talk to the stoner down the hall and he'll tell you exactly what species it is, its range, its habits, its food, and anything else you'd possibly wanted to know. Then go and smoke, end up talking about qualia and epiphenomenalism before moving on to discussing the merits of Tila Tequila. It works. </p>
<p>As a proud Midwesterner who was born and raised in the Northeast (I converted to Minnesotan, I'll say, by way of living in Missouri), nothing is more alienating to me than having people on the coasts automatically assume that I'm quaint. I own no polos, I'll admit, but I live in a suburb of St. Louis and have never ventured into events showcasing prize-winning steers. Besides, my friends who really are "straight from the county fair" still make legitimate contributions to the classroom, are active members of campus, interesting people, and good friends. Their perspective is underrepresented at many schools, but is nonetheless just as important as that of Northeastern prep schools and should be included on campus.</p>
<p>well i'm going to a smll private so idk i hope you r wrog though!</p>