<p>DS is waiting to hear whether he gets into Wesleyan (fingers crossed!). He knows already that he is in at Macalester. Any advice in case it comes down to these two? How do you think they compare in terms of types of students, social life, academic programs, off-campus opportunities, alumni network, and general college "character"? He has not visited either one yet, and of course this comparison may be moot if he doesn't get in to Wesleyan, but it would be good to get some thoughts anyway. His primary interests at this point are creative writing and technological innovation (but he's not interested in becoming an engineer -- not big on math). Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I had the exact same choice many years ago and it virtually came down to a flip of the coin. Both are liberal campuses; both have lively, active student bodies. Although both campuses have a neighborhood feel to them, the suburbs that emanate from Minneapolis-St. Paul seem denser somehow. Middletown has both an urban and a rural side to it which may explain a lot about Wesleyan.</p>
<p>My sense is that you’ll find a lot more midwestern openness at Macalester. There’s also a very large international student population, if percentages are any indication. Wesleyan students, as you can tell from even a quick reading of its most famous alumni (filmmaker, Michael Bay, NFL football coach, Bill Bellichick, journalist, Sebastian Junger, pharmaceutical pioneer, Joshua Boger) tend to pride themselves on the range and sophistication of their interests.</p>
<p>I think you’ll find good things at both schools. I can only tell you that I’m happy Wesleyan won the coin toss.</p>
<p>I live in MN but am a native northeasterner. My husband and I both have admissions experience (professional, alumni volunteer, and as parents). I think johnwesley is exactly right in his description. Both excellent schools. My advice is to visit both. Also, if you want to end up on a coast, Wesleyan will carry a lot more weight on your resume. If you want to end up in the midwest, Macalaster will. I don’t advocate choosing a school for its name, but wanted to share that thought FYI.</p>
<p>Thanks to both of you. Your insights are really helpful. In the end, I’m sure that, whatever options my son has to choose from, a visit will be the determining factor. Meantime, since we live in California and don’t have any personal sense of the character of the schools he’s applied to, I’m just trying to get other people’s impressions. Thanks again for your input!</p>