<p>I’m a geologist but didn’t attend Carleton so can’t address your question about how Carleton teaches geology. I know geologists who graduated from Carleton, however, and suspect that the answer is something like this: Carleton attracts highly motivated students. They recognize that they’ll have many more opportunities if they go to grad school. They get a master’s, and are still intrigued by some aspects of geology they want to pursue, so go on to get a PhD.</p>
<p>If you are interested in a less-selective LAC that has a good geology program, you may wish to look at University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. Many of their graduates go on to get PhDs.</p>