I am going to tour both St. Olaf and Carleton in Northfield, MN in the fall. It would be nice to have some background information before I go to see where I would fit best.
I am looking for a college that is strong in music and psychology. I plan to major in psychology and go one to become a psychologist. Preferably, I would like to get into a good grad school (e.g. Northwestern, Notre Dame, Stanford) but I know that this is difficult. I want to make sure that I go to a college that would prepare me adequately for a grad school like that, though. I am also catholic and would like to go to a school that allows me to continue practicing my faith. I know neither of these are Catholic schools, but i am more asking about which environment would be best suited to that.
I would like to be applicable for some scholarships as well so I am not drowning in debt. A few admissions facts about me to give an idea for acceptance/ scholarships: 4.0 GPA unweighted, 5 AP classes after junior year, 9 AP classes after senior year, 31 ACT sophomore year (hopefully will raise a few points junior year), involved in many extra curriculars, PaY club leader, etc.
Thanks for the help and any information about which is best that you can provide!
Either school will be excellent preparation for graduate school in psychology. Carleton is the better-known and more prestigious of the two - but that doesn’t mean it’s better; just happens to be better-known. I am not sure whether one or the other is better for music.
St. Olaf is probably stronger in music, and although a Lutheran school, not Catholic, will probably be a better fit for practicing one’s faith. St. Olaf will be a better bet if looking for merit aid. That said, Carleton is one of my favorite LACs. Glad you are visiting both as they are great schools. One of my kids really liked and applied to both.
They have very different vibes: Carleton is intellectual, laid back, quirky, academically intense. St Olaf is (for lack of a better word) wholesome, “nice overachievers”, balanced, academically serious.
Both a perenial winners of “best undergraduate teaching” national rankings.
For music, St Olaf, no contest. A lot of kids are involved in music and a majority have an appreciation for it. If you want to be “the big one on campus”, you better be a soloist for the St Olaf Choir, not a football player.
I’d imagine that for a practicing Catholic, it’d also be a better choice, although it’s a liberal/open minded faith-based college - you’ll study Scripture but discuss various interpretations of it, not what “the one” interpretation is.
At Carleton, you’d likely be average academically (unless you were also in PSEO in addition to APs), which can be thrilling for those who like intellectual challenges, or intimidating for others. I’d also give a nod to Carleton for grad school preparation.
Fifth vote for St. Olaf; as I’ve posted in other threads, at Carleton music seems to be supported largely as a healthy avocation. But at St. Olaf you will encounter many other high caliber musicians for whom music will be their profession.
I did not get the impression there is much interaction btw the two schools, having visited both.
The Carleton vibe is definitely more edgy, lots of gender neutral bathrooms, a more arty vibe, we don’t care what we wear to class and felt more stressed to be honest. the tour guide must have mentioned it several times.
St Olaf struck me as equally smart, more nurturing, more attractive, with state of the art, new science centers and what most people would agree is a significantly stronger music program. I know two students in math/science there and both say it is rigorous academically. St Olaf also publishes a comprehensive “what our graduates are doing now” report which you might find useful.
Carleton offers zero Merit unless you are an NMF (which gives you $2000). Olaf offers much more merit, including scholarships in art, music etc. Its too bad Carleton does not allow you to read the student newspaper because you can really tell what a school is thinking about from letters to the editor et al.
As a full pay, ask yourself if the small differences are worth $240,000 considering graduate school may be in the future.
