go5878

I am a HS junior considering Carleton.

I just emailed a prof with a pretty straightforward question and got a really condescending response. ("I don't really concern myself with such matters...)

Hey Carleton students, is that typical? I really don't want to go a school where the prof's have a God complex.

I'm hoping it's not at all typical.

wbm777

Hmmmm what prof did you email? I have only had three professors so far and while one of them is kind of egotistical (he assigns his own books and is very full of himself) my other two profs are very friendly and approachable. Also the egotistical one is not particularly condescending, he just has a particularly high regard for his own opinion.... All professors here have office hours and from what I have expereinced they are particularly friendly and helpful when students visit them.

Also what question did you ask? It could have just been outside his realm of knowledge. I cannot judge the response with just a short exerp with no context.

go5878

It was the director of the jazz ensemble and I was just asking how competitive it was.

use a toothbrush

I don't know anything about the jazz ensemble or the director, but take the email for what you will: a hurried response to an unexpected question from someone who is probably very busy organizing end-of-term music events. It's not really representative of Carleton professors. Some are very into technology and you'll get replies to emails at like 5 in the morning, but some old school profs won't touch their email on the weekends (and will instead ask you to call them at home). I'd say generally most professors aren't arrogant at all. I call almost every professor I've had here by their first name and I've found that they go out of their way to be accessible to students.

Maize&Blue

My D has similar relationships with her profs that are described by use a toothbrush. She's a soph, and has called every single prof she's had so far by their first name. She's had meals at several of their homes. She practically lives in her organic chem prof's office, both during office hours and at individual appts and he has been extremely kind and helpful to her and others in that class. I think you may have caught this particular person on an "off day". Perhaps you might find out a student member of the jazz ensemble to contact for information.

go5878

Your comments are reassuring. Somehow I must of just hit a sour note with him hahah