In doing a quick search of the forum, here are a few threads/responses that popped up that may address your questions (at least pertaining to St. Olaf…though I think the answer will be the same for Macalester):
Mom of a Jewish student at St. Olaf here. While apparently not a fit for the OP, there is a small but active Jewish student union at St. Olaf. They have weekly Shabbat services, bi (CORRECTION TEICE) monthly havdalah, torah study and Hebrew as well as other social gatherings. There are a couple of rabbis on the faculty who facilitate and held a student led seder last week. Apparently the student who led it was raised conservative and did the whole Haggadah with lots of editorial in Hebrew (a new experience for my very very reformed son) They collaborate in some or all of these with Carton students too. Honestly, my son identifies as Jewish and participates in activities maybe more now than he did at home.
My daughter goes there and is from a crazy liberal town. She had the same concerns you do, and ended up going there for the same reasons you cite. She is having a relationship with someone who is non-binary. She also has Christian friends, who are socially and politically liberal and have no problem with her relationship. She has atheist friends. She has friends who party. She has friends who don’t. She has friends from other countries. It’s probably less LGBTQ-populated than Carleton, but has the advantage of not being an echo chamber of any kind. And BTW “Evangelical” Lutheran is the cool, liberal sect or whatever. Don’t let the name fool you.
Piling on to @sandraguth 's comment. My son is a freshman at St. Olaf too and has a similar experience–there are all kinds of students from all over the world and who carry the entire spectrum of religious and political views. My son is Jewish-more of a cultural than religious identification- and he has had no problem finding great friends. It’s does seem to be an especially warm supportive environment without sacrificing academic rigor. Also if you have a student with ADHD, or other challenges, the supports through the disability services office are great, but exemplary are their Trio (federally funded) programs offering a depth of support, including extra advising and community for students with disabilities, or who face the special challenges of being 1st generation and/or economically insecure. TRIO Programs at St. Olaf – St. Olaf College
At St Olaf you can sign up for The Environmental Conversation program as a freshman, then you can take Science Conversations sophomore year. Only admitted students can apply/sign up.
Faith can be as important as you wish at St Olaf. Chapel is not mandatory, you can attend (there’s no class scheduled during chapel) or you can do whatever you want. They are very big on Interfaith dialogue and have representatives of various faith working on campus and in the Religion department. Your classmates will NOT be exclusively Christian.
Wheaton IL is an evangelical college, more conservative than St Olaf, and where you sign a creed before you enroll (or teach there). As a result, all your professors are evangelical or conservative Christians and virtually all your classmates will be evangelical Christians. Chapel is mandatory.
Academically speaking, especially for science and premed, St Olaf is seen as the stronger choice.
“How religious is the school” Classes are not taught from a religious point of view. There are a bunch of threads that will give you insight into this question:
I posted a ‘vibe report’ from my D’s sophomore year that addresses her perception of the religious vibe of St Olaf. St Olaf is not a Christian College, however many of your classmates will be Christian and that it different than at other schools and will affect your experience. My D had a great 4 years at St Olaf, and I recommend the school but it will have a different ‘vibe’. Also keep in mind that it is a very very musical school.
https://www.collegeconfidential.com/vibe/st-olaf-college/4129201.html
Regarding double-majoring. My D double majored (2 STEM fields) and many of her classmates did. How hard it is depends on what else you are doing. Many Oles do 1 or more terms abroad (they have a robust study-abroad system) or were heavily involved in music. Those 2 things can make it harder to double major (depending on what f…
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