Hello, this is my first time using this. As of now, I was recently admitted to Colby College and Carleton College. I am trying to decide which school to go to and I am really torn. I wanted to ask if anyone can provide insight on how living in Colby as a Muslim is? Like is there a student group and how is it, etc.? If anyone can provide for Carleton Muslim life as well, that would be fantastic. I saw Carleton has a pretty active Muslim life, though (from surfing the web). Although, Colby College provided me with fantastic financial aid. Someone PLEASE help though, I don’t know what to do. (T^T)
Hi I recently got into Colby and Carleton. I am really torn on both options and idk what to do. Can anyone help?
Do you have a major in mind? Do you have a preference between semesters (plus Jan plan) and trimesters?
Also, I received better financial aid in Colby (only need to pay $1650) than Carleton (need to pay $9640). I also got an offer for the vball team in Carleton but I am going to try to talk to the Colby coach this weekend (the team is full but she recruited me before). Please help guys I really don’t know what to choose. I went to a Carleton Fly-in and I LOVE the place; they are so funny and quirky. Maybe my thoughts will change when I visit Colby this weekend but still! (T^T) I need help asappp
For majors I really want to pursue Neuroscience. I don’t really have a preference between semesters or trimesters (I think) but I do want to pursue a pre-med track. I don’t know much about the pre-med situation in Colby though…
Thank you for the quick response btw! It seems like you might know some things about Colby. Do you have any advice on what I should do this weekend on my visit to maximize my time there? (I’m attending the Colby Student Admitted Program trip)
I visited with my daughter last month. Definitely check out the art museum and the athletic center. Maybe the arboretum too, especially if you looked at Carleton’s. Both are excellent schools. If the cost is a major factor, you can’t go wrong with Colby. If it isn’t that much of a factor, just go with whichever feels more like your vibe.
1 Like
You may want to appeal for more aid to Carleton with your Colby offer in hand. I don’t think “funny and quirky” when I think of Colby; more “preppy and sporty.” So the vibe may not be quite yours. But see what you think during your visit and go to where feels right, as long as the price is manageable. I’m not an expert on either school but they appear to be very different kind of places, though both committed to the liberal arts.
5 Likes
I was thinking the same thing T^T, I tried appealing more aid from Carleton with my Colby offer, but no such luck sadly…
Thank you so much though, your input was very valuable!
Okay, I will do that. Thank you so much!
If you’re going to Colby this week, make sure they know about your faith - and make sure you get your questions answered.
They have a student who is a student chaplain / muslim fellow. You can’t put names here but you can find him by googling.
One has to be able to afford the school they go. If Colby is better, that matters.
But if you are concerned with being a Muslim on campus, to me - that’s what you need to have addressed. Since you didn’t set something up in advance, the minute you get there and are greeted y admissions - let them know about your concern being Muslim and ask them if they can introduce you to the leader on campus.
I’m guessing they can pull something off pretty quickly for you.
Interestingly, they’re hiring for a Muslim Chaplain right now - so again, hopefully you can find someone - to ensure you’ll have a proper support to meet your needs.
Good luck.
Muslim Chaplain job with Colby College | 37611181 (chronicle.com)
6 Likes
Thank you, I will do this!
Reach out to the Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life before you visit. Her contact info is on the website. She can connect you with resources.
My kid had a couple friends at Colby who are now in med school. My sense is that they do a good job of preparing kids AND that it’s the same hard work it is everywhere.
Enjoy your visit!
1 Like
Did Carleton already include the Pell grant in your package or were they waiting for the FAFSA processing? (It may make a big difference)
1 Like
You may already know this, but I wanted to point out Carleton has Interest Houses where students who share some sort of common interest can live together, and one of them is a Muslim Interest House (note it is single gender and not necessarily the same gender each year):
5 Likes
I believe there is a large Somalian expat community in the Twin Cities (and correspondingly active Muslim community). I don’t know to what extent this translates to a greater presence at Carleton or more diverse/open-minded classmates but it’s probably something to explore. I’ve heard great things about Colby but geographically I believe it’s fairly isolated. Probably not as easy to, say, go to a halal grocery store nearby.
3 Likes
There is also a large muslim community in Maine due to immigrations from Somalia, Djibouti, and other African nations. These communities are centered in Lewiston/Auburn and Portland, so not right where Colby is, but within an hour’s drive.
2 Likes
Visited Carleton 3x with 2 sons both admitted. Carleton is very academic. Not as”fun” as Colby. The 3/3 is an Intense schedule, best possible for kids whose major major focus is academics. One son chose Colby due to his love of outdoors. One opted out of Carleton b/c he felt the schedule too unforgiving/intense, but I still think it’s a great school!
How was your visit at Colby?
1 Like