St. Olaf, Macalester, Carleton: thoughts, differences, experiences?

[Anonymous]

Trying to understand the differences and similarities among these three. Anyone have thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Carleton is the one for very smart kids.

[Anonymous]

My DS applied to both Mac and Carleton. Lots of similarities, although Carleton is significantly harder to get into. DS felt that Mac was a little more artsy and really loved the intellectual vibe of Carleton.

[Anonymous]

Does Carleton do athletic recruiting in any meaningful way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does Carleton do athletic recruiting in any meaningful way?

Yes, but it seems the athletes are pretty academically inclined compared to some places.

[Anonymous]

St. Olaf kids are more musical and there is definitely less of a drinking culture on their campus.

All the Carleton kids are very bright, but the non-athletes are a little quirky. I would make sure my child felt it was a fit with one or the other.

Northfield is pretty close to my ideal college town and conveniently located close to a major airport.

Macalester has a more international vibe and a much more urban campus.

[Anonymous]

Comment basically correct re Carleton and St Olaf. St Olaf is also more isolated while Carleton is right in town. I graduated from St Olaf but would probably recommend Carleton of the two unless you are really interested in music or Norwegian. I don't think there is really any other reason to prefer St. Olaf. Maybe religious ones?

[Anonymous]

OP, if this sort of thing matters to you, Mac is still requiring students to have the COVID vaccine. Carleton and St. Olaf no longer require that.

[Anonymous]

Mostly midwesterners at all three or draws more broadly? My kid is mostly interested in New England liberal arts schools, small, selective etc. Trying to branch out a bit for the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Comment basically correct re Carleton and St Olaf. St Olaf is also more isolated while Carleton is right in town. I graduated from St Olaf but would probably recommend Carleton of the two unless you are really interested in music or Norwegian. I don't think there is really any other reason to prefer St. Olaf. Maybe religious ones?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mostly midwesterners at all three or draws more broadly? My kid is mostly interested in New England liberal arts schools, small, selective etc. Trying to branch out a bit for the list.

Carleton and Macalester will have around 1/3 from the midwest, with Macalester probably being a little higher than Carleton.

St Olaf has around 2/3 from the midwest, I believe.

[Anonymous]

Perspective from grad school prof: though St. Olaf and Carleton have somewhat different admissions profiles, I see outstanding students coming from both schools. So entry standards may be different but I think you can't go wrong with the quality of the education at either. I know a LOT of academics who went to St. Olaf. Less direct experience with Macalester, but I hear only good things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perspective from grad school prof: though St. Olaf and Carleton have somewhat different admissions profiles, I see outstanding students coming from both schools. So entry standards may be different but I think you can't go wrong with the quality of the education at either. I know a LOT of academics who went to St. Olaf. Less direct experience with Macalester, but I hear only good things.

Macalester prides itself on cultural diversity and internationalism. 12% to 15% of the students are international, and the student body includes citizens of more than 95 countries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perspective from grad school prof: though St. Olaf and Carleton have somewhat different admissions profiles, I see outstanding students coming from both schools. So entry standards may be different but I think you can't go wrong with the quality of the education at either. I know a LOT of academics who went to St. Olaf. Less direct experience with Macalester, but I hear only good things.

Macalester prides itself on cultural diversity and internationalism. 12% to 15% of the students are international, and the student body includes citizens of more than 95 countries. Mac also offers lots of internship and cultural experiences in the Twin Cities. Urban SLACs are few and far between.

[Anonymous]

My kid is interested in Macalester, but we haven’t had a chance to visit. Does it have a true, distinct campus? Kid loves the feel of Brown as a campus in the city; is Macalester at all similar?