qmn101

I'm deciding between Grinnell, Macalester, Pitzer, George Washington U, and U of Rochester.

I am a Political Science Major and Arabic is the language I will be studying.
I love to be involved and I am a track athlete.
Everything will be paid for whatever school I go to. Money isn't really an issue.
I am a minority so I do like diversity in terms of race, economic backgrounds, international, etc.
I am deadlocked between the five. They all offer like a different kind of college experience.

Any suggestions, insider tips, remarks regarding reputation??

bethievt

All I can say is, my son loves the Arabic prof at Grinnell and loves everything else about the school. If you want a city environment, this is not it. The student body is very diverse though and there are constant activities of all kinds on campus. The other one on your list he applied to was Mac and I know he could have been happy there too. He had to pick one and he picked Grinnell. Every school you mention is great. I can't say more about the others because I haven't even visited, but all have great reputations.

SmallCollegesFTW

Grinnell or Macalester depending on whether you want a city feel or a rural feel

M's Mom

If you are a political science major, interested in Arabic studies, I would suggest that you take a close look at GW. I love Grinnell and I'm a big fan of LACs generally, but based purely on your fiield of study, I would pick DC as my base. If political science is your passion - and you are reasonably sure that this is what you want to do - the opportunities for internships and jobs, exposure to world leaders as speakers and the chance to be surrounded by like-minded class-mates, DC is the place to be.

Of course, in my own personal taxonomy, the campus culture of LACs generally, and Grinnell in particular, would trump my academic interest-but I realize not everyone would feel that way.