Carleton and Macalester: How similar?

1190
Sat, 12 Jul 2008 01:45:10 +0000

Despite the obvious similarities in size, Twin City regional locations, and general liberal vibes, I’ve actually found the schools to feel quite different.

As woohoo points out, Carleton sits at the edge of a quintessential college town of about 18,000 about 40 miles from the Twin Cities. The campus is centered around a classic quad, hosts 2 small lakes, and is surrounded by about 800 acres of aboretum intersected by miles of running/cross country ski trails. This is very much a traditional residential college experience. Lots of campus-centered activities generally keep people from venturing far. Trips into MSP vary from once a week to once a term depending on one’s inclination.

Macalester’s setting is obviously quite different but just maybe a little less different than has been suggested. Its “semi-urban” location in a pretty residential neighborhood of St. Paul offers the perk of significant safety - something often compromised at schools with truer downtown/inner city locales - and yet remains very accessible to all of Minneapolis’ and St. Paul’s offerings. The campus, though small, is well defined and active. In this it differs from urban schools characterized by nebulous borders and a student body that empties out come weekends.

IF your son is open to both of these kinds of college settings, I’d definitely recommend a visit to each when in the area. Carleton’s freshman class this past year was 10% international and poli sci is the 2nd most popular major declared at the school (2/3 of that group specifically in IR).