Visit Report by Alchemy (Member since February 01 2007 with 244 posts) Visit Date - April 2007
Visit to Macalester College in April 2007 by Alchemy (Student, HS Class of 2007)
Visit Activities:
Admissions Interview:
Yes - My admissions interview was done in my state(MI) at a coffee shop with an alumni. It was an interesting interview and the alumni was frank. Talking to him made more more interested in the school. Information Session:
Yes - During the Macalester Sampler students are invited to participate in several information sessions and seminars, including one with staff members. The latter is easily the most helpful. Campus Tour:
Yes - My tour guide basically told me to go off on my own. I'm glad he did. I walk about campus and its environs,taking note the vibrant coffee shops and stores. It was good stuff. Classroom Visit:
Yes - Visit classes. The classes in Macalester were mostly discussion based. The professors expected the students to make the connections. They only help guide the students to reasonable conclusions.
Macalester College Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
Macalester is in Minnesota. The entire student body is Minnesota friendly. A random stranger is liable to give you a kidney if you ask.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
The staff is just as friendly as the students. And the administration will do as much as possible to accomodate their students. It obvious that they care about their students.
Appearance of Campus: 4 - Very Good -
The campus is absolutely gorgeous. The location only amplifies this tenfold.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
Macalester has a clean campus -- excluding the rampant marijuana use. If there is garbage around a student will probably pick it up. The students and faculty take pride in their school's appearan
Dormitories: 4 - Very Good -
The worst is painted brick, and visible pipes on the ceilings and walls. However, the dorms are a nice size. Overall they're very good.
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent -
Students leave their doors unlocked. The campus is very safe.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
I loved the Macalester Campus. It's small, beautiful, and well designed -- in two hours I had memorized a fairly large portion of the campus without trying. It's that well designed.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 5 - Excellent -
St.Paul is beautiful. The streets running through the campus are filled with coffee shops and stores. The neighborhood surrounding Macalester is very nice, too.
City/Town/Community: 5 - Excellent -
The Twin Cities are among the most interesting, safe, and cultured cities in the United States. Macalester's location is one of its selling points for a good reason.
Campus Visit Notes for Macalester College:
Visit Description:
I came, I saw, I decided.
Things I did:
Attended a Mac Weekly meeting/seminar
Talked with other prospect students at several breakfasts and dinners
Talked with the art department director
Attended a theater class(and even did warm-ups)
Talked with a theater professor
Attended a Hispanic studies class
Watched a student performance
Attended Springfest
Played Capture the Flag
Interviewed several students
Went to the mall of America
Toured part of down-town St.Paul and Minneapolis
Went to the Global Market
Attended a seminar at the Multicultural house
Talked to a MAX faculty member
Attended a faculty seminar
And there were slews of other activities available that I didn't attend. Macalester is a vibrant school. I enjoyed my visit.
And more....
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
Don't do it unless you're a parent. Students should stay on campus.
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
The transportation is good.
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Macalester is in Minnesota. The entire student body is Minnesota friendly. A random stranger is liable to give you a kidney if you ask.
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The campus is absolutely gorgeous. The location only amplifies this tenfold.