<p>I'm torn between two colleges, St. Thomas University and Macalester College (both in St. Paul). I doubt many people have heard of either of them... but I'm looking for some advice and I don't know where else to ask. I'll list the pro's and con's of each school and let me know what you think.</p>
<p>Pro's for Macalester: Excellent liberal arts school, sometimes referred to as the "Ivy of the Midwest", 39% acceptance rate, more prestigious than St. Thomas, very diverse campus, soccer team is the best team on campus and has the most support from the students.</p>
<p>Con's for Macalester: No business or engineering programs (which are the two majors I'm thinking about going into), most business people major in Econ while engineers major in Physics.</p>
<p>Pro's for St. Thomas: Excellent business program, offers Engineering (electrical and mechanical).</p>
<p>Con's for St. Thomas: Nearly anyone can get in, 83% acceptance rate, not nearly as prestigious as Macalester, soccer doesn't enjoy the same support as Mac's team (even though St. Thomas had a better team this past year).</p>
<p>So I just don't know.... I like St. Thomas because they have such a great business school and engineering. But at the same time, I don't know if it's ridiculous to even be contemplating St. Thomas over Macalester since Macalester is known to be a top LAC and St. Thomas is not nearly as competitive. What would you do if you were me?</p>
<p>Well, don't go somewhere if they don't have your major. Go where you can get a degree and not somewhere that is a top school but you can't do what you want. It's kind of like getting into Harvey Mudd and wanting to be an english major. Harvey Mudd is a top school but don't offer degrees outside of math and science. Go to St. Thomas.</p>
<p>Why look at a LAC if you want to major in Business or Engineering? If you want a smaller sized school, look into another private school (ie. case western or carnegie mellon).</p>
<p>^ yeah, that's because Macalester is more prestigious than St. Thomas.</p>
<p>I know it doesn't make sense to go to Macalester if they don't have my major, but I'm not positive I want to go in to business and engineering. I think I would like it, but I might end up changing my mind when I go to college.</p>
<p>Mac is an amazing school, and I was happy to get in and was definitely considering going (though my Amherst acceptance kinda overshadowed it!). I didn't apply to St. Thomas, partly because of the prestige factor and partly for other reasons. My friends who are going/planning to go to St. Thomas are very intelligent, so I'm sure there's an intellectual crowd there. All in all, though, I know that Mac would be a more intellectually stimulating experience. Also, it's a highly diverse school with lots of people from other countries.</p>
<p>Here's my advice. Go by how sure you are that you want to major in business/engineering:
75-100% sure: Apply to St. Thomas and some other schools with those majors, but not Mac.
25-75% sure: Visit both, if you end up applying to both you can make the decision later and base it on financial aid etc.
0-25% sure: Definitely apply to both - and if you get into Mac, go there! It's a great school and you won't regret it. If you're this unsure of what you want to major in, you'll probably end up switching into something else anyways.</p>
<p>^ Yeah, I should've been a bit more clear, but I've already been accepted to both. Macalester actually gave me a slightly better financial aid package. I haven't visited Macalester while school has been in session, but I will in a few weeks, so maybe I'll know then...</p>
<p>Check out the Mac Forum, if you haven't been on there already. They can answer any of your questions (although they'll be in vast favor of your going to the school, at least they can tell you about the business and engineering-related classes at Mac). I don't know if St. Thomas has a similar option.</p>
<p>Don't get hung up on a school having a business school to get into business. Alot of companies are looking for LAC student they can train and they don't have to de-program them from an undergarduate busness degree. There is plenty of time later to get an MBA or other higher degree.</p>
<p>Take Northwestern for example...no business degree offered..yet don't you think they turn out good business people? Go to Macalaster and major in Economics if you want to get into business.</p>