Hey guys! I just finished receiving all decisions, and I am concerning which college to commit to. While I like both Wes and Mac, I prefer Mac because of its better location and campus, as well as its curriculum. I want to major in Anthropology and Archaeology, which both schools offer. However it is true that Wes is better ranked than Mac. What is their difference? What is Mac weak of, and what are you opinions? Thank you!
I am the last one to suggest that someone should pick a college solely on its USNews ranking. Over the years it’s become a kind of money-pit porn for the people - mostly parents - who have to write those big checks for the next four years (anyone who has ever renovated a kitchen knows what I am talking about.) Please, rest assured that if Macalester is better than Wesleyan in all the ways that make sense to you, then, by all means, you should go there.
For other people looking at this thread in the future, here are a few of the notes I’ve taken:
- Macalester was my second choice many, many years ago when I was applying to colleges and the amazing thing to me is how true to its brand it has been over the past half-century (!!!) It still boasts a high number of international students; nearly a quarter of the college hails from another country and Kofi Anan the former UN secretary general, is among its most famous alumni. Wesleyan has about half that ratio.
- Just looking at both colleges on Google maps, I have to wonder where Mac has room to expand? It looks landlocked on all four sides by major urban thoroughfares. USNews and Wikipedia say the campus is only 53 acres. Wesleyan has 316 acres of physical plant and athletic fields. Could that Mac figure be a mistake?
- In terms of career outcomes, there's not a lot to quibble about. Education and business are two of the highest scoring industry sectors for both colleges. Not surprisingly, Wesleyan places twice as many graduates in the entertainment-media-communications spectrum (21%) while Macalester places three times as many with non-profits (9%.)
Like I said, none of this impinges on the OP’s personal checklist.
@circuitrider Thank you so much for this information. It helps a lot. I really wondered about the campus location, but I would believe Mac’s local community is safer than Wes. For my intended major, I’m for sure to pursue postgraduate education before really entering work.
PS. I am also international 
Any other factors to account for here? Are you offered financial aid at either college?
I can attest that I’ve never felt unsafe at Wesleyan. Mac’s immediate location in Minneapolis is great, but don’t discount Wes’ proximity to NYC and Boston.
I personally love Wes. I’d go there in a heartbeat. In addition to the amazing academics, it tends to attract an exceedingly imaginative student body. That makes the education that much better and that much more fun.
This was a choice for one of my Ds. It wasn’t down to just those 2 schools, but Mac was a serious consideration and very much in the mix.
In the end she chose Wesleyan. I’m not sure I’d agree that Mac has a better campus, but that’s subjective. The neighborhood Mac is in is pretty quaint. Middletown has its edginess, but it’s also got its perks. Main Street is nice for the most part and offers a good variety of places to eat.
I prefer Mac. But very much a personal taste thing. Both excellent schools