Transfer to Tulane, Mac, or Grinnell, or...stay???

Colleges and Universities A-Z Macalester College
1

<p>So here's my dilemma. I applied to Tulane last year, got in, didnt go mostly because i didnt want to pay 40K, then applied as a transfer this year and got in. I'm hoping to get the Collegiate Achievment Award. I could probably go if I get it, but I also applied to Grinnell and Macalester, which are also both around 30K. I'm still waiting to hear from them. I really am not sure what to do if I get into all three, which I hopefully will. My brother went to Tulane and liked it, but has told me the course offerings left a little something to be desired. He loved the city of New Orleans. I'm currrently at the Univ. of Missouri-Columbia, and although i don't like the huge classes, etc., I have made plenty of friends and enjoy my social life, but most of them are overwhelmingly Missourian, and I really did want to "get out" when I went to college (not that Missouri isn't cool, I love it, but I need a change) The thing is, should I stay or go? I'm reluctant to start all over again socially, but I do want a better academic climate, with fewer huge classes, etc. My professors certainly agree with me and sympathize; they know that the Univ. isnt always great in terms of academics (although the Honors College is much better). I've always been more of a quirky kind of guy (more like the small LAC type, IMO) and I plan on majoring in history/poli sci, or MAYBE history/marketing. But I'm also reluctant to be in a rural location (Grinnell), and I do LOVE New Orleans. I dont love cold weather, but I can stand it if need be. Does anyone have any helpful comments on Tulane class sizes, offerings, the Honors program (although I did read the thread...and I do know Dean Jean, who is awesome), the social life, the campus life, etc. Please post or PM me if you can help.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Well Macalester is a very different school from Tulane. First off, the academics are going to be noticably more intense. That's not to say that you can't work your ass off at Tulane, you definitely can, but there's going to be a much larger "party till you drop" crowd at Tulane than there will be at Macalester or Grinnell, not to mention many fewer students at the latter two.</p>

<p>In terms of weather, if you don't like the cold, you probably won't like Macalester. It's in Minnesota. Minnesota is cold. On the flipside, the campus is right in St. Paul, so you do have that urban setting. Climate-wise, it's really a matter of preference. New Orleans, though, is an awesome city and much warmer.</p>

<p>In terms of politics, Macalester is an excellent place to study, but to be honest you'll get a great education at all three schools.</p>

<p>In terms of size, I pretty sure Macalester is the smallest, followed shortly after by Grinnell, and Tulane is several order of mangitudes larger than both (not to mention the fact that it's a university, and therefore has an entire graduate program, unlike Grinnell or Mac).</p>

<p>Personally, I would choose Mac, because I think the academic opportunities there exceed both other schools, but really it's a personal choice. The best advice I can give is visit all three and stay for a day or two, visit some classes, and see which "vibe" fits you best.</p>