Help with decision - Macalester or Carleton? (Pol Sci) - just got off waitlist

coffeeat3
Fri, 22 May 2020 17:15:46 +0000

@winterwren - I just pulled my daughter’s notes - again, these may or may not help, but thoughts from a 17 year old and I can read her handwriting !

Mac: lots of engagement in St. Paul approx 2/3 of students complete an internship, complete a capstone for graduation. Love our area admissions rep, energy on campus seemed low (my thought: we had a very dominant mom in our tour group and a very quiet tour guide - so could be why my daughter was less impressed with tour), campus seemed very small (this was after a visit to Grinnell and their campus is very large and open). 1 of 6 kids from Minnesota, mandatory first year course has 16 students. Attended a theater class and everyone was nice and had me participate. Cool building. I wanted to love Mac - but think I will eliminate. The food was not great, but I am not food motivated. (says that daughter that asks me numerous times of day what is for dinner!)

Carleton: 20% admit rate, called themselves highly selective a lot in the presentation, want students that like to learn and demonstrated by high school course selection. Want students that will engage in the community. The campus is so pretty and I love all the tree lined paths, people said hi to me a lot. They talked a lot about wanting more diversity and said they are a PWI (I had to look that up - Predominately White Institution) and they are trying to change it with more outreach. Funny tour guide and he seemed to know everyone. Attended a first year seminar class - it was okay and the professor did not have me participate, but talked to me after class. The food has a better selection and more fresh produce. Tour guide and the student I had lunch with both said that academics are tough and move fast. It is hard when you get sick and always seems like you have a mid term or a final. They said that it is worth it, because you get to take more classes and if you don’t like a class it is over fast.

She is an arts kids and her one concern with Carleton (HS class of 2021) is that it was very STEM focused and we could only tour the arts building on our own. The physical campus and that kids that go from her current HS are “her” people. Her plan was to go back this Fall for an overnight - but we all know that is not going to happen.

Please take this as intended - thought of a high school junior I am obviously procrastinating on a project due for a client and spending time here instead!