<p>I was accepted into Wesleyan and Macalester and wait-listed at Carleton and I have decided I'm going to put up a fight at the latter to be accepted off wait list. For the time being, I'm assuming that I actually have a chance at Carleton. I'm torn because on paper these three schools look similar but I've been told that they're "very different" by my counselor, although I cannot get him to specify why. For example, he ranks Carleton as the "most intellectual student body". I've heard it compared to a "mini Chicago", which is famous for being intellectual. But when asked to elaborate, he says the intellectualism of the student body between the three are so small that it's immaterial- he must have gotten that ranking somewhere.</p>
<p>This is definitely one of my most important criteria, that people are willing to talk about ideas inside and outside the classroom, preferably after hours when we're all delirious but still having a good time. I keep comparing it to one summer school session, where we would sit in the lounge talking about Aristotle, or take a "study break" from an all-nighter essay marathon. We went into somebody's room and started talking about metaphysics- for an hour, before returning to our essay. On the metro, we talked about the relation of physics to philosophy, and our idea of a good time was to go to a bookstore. On Saturday, we woke up early (after an all nighter) just to see the 1812 overture downtown, which was very far from campus. This is what I'm looking for. To me, these weeks were almost "hyperintellectual".</p>
<p>Another factor I consider is the political atmosphere of the college. All of them are liberal- that's a given, but I heard Wes students are very political and Macalester students are hippie, and Carleton students are a cross between hippie and nerd. Of course, these are all gross generalizations, but there does appear to be different "flavors" of liberalism. I'd prefer not to get involved in drugs or heavy drinking (or even closely associate with those who do), and the "drug scene" at all three got a C+ on *************, so I have no choice there. I'm fine with liberalism. I count myself as a fiscal moderate and a social liberal. I'm just not politically *active and come 2012, I won't be supporting any presidential candidates openly. "Too political" is a minus for me.</p>
<p>But what I can't stand is blind PCness and believe me I've met people who espouse opinions they've never thought through and when that was pointed out even vehemently defend their opinions, using labels such as "statist! racist! sexist! age'ist!". I think every opinion, whether progressive or reactionary, deserves to be torn apart, analyzed and they must all prove their worth. One thing I can never tolerate in an entire student body is PC- and the unwillingness to challenge prevailing notions and blindly adhering to "feel good" beliefs, such as the notion that all differences between the sexes is culturally conditioned and everything is blamed on "the culture" or "the system". I'm a female who has a stereotypically masculine personality, yet even I can't deny that there are intrinsic psychological differences between biological males and biological females. If possible, I would like to go to the least PC college, where critical thinking is encouraged.</p>
<p>Can someone familiar with these colleges give me some insight? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>EDIT: Also, they all offer what I want to study (Physics/Astronomy, Classics and Philosophy), but which one has the best humanities department?</p>