Macalester: The Big Picture
It's the perfect size for me, the location is okay. They kind of duped me into thinking St. Paul is a city, but it does have a large immigrant population that makes it so much more diverse than going to school in Northfield. The school is slightly cliqueish, almost like high school. Though if you aren't afraid you can break out of these social molds and meet amazing people across the board. Not a lot of school pride, people tend to come to get an education and leave, and it's bloody freezing here.
Macalester Academic Life
Professors do know students names, because class sizes are so small. Professors tend to get overwhelmed if there are more than 25 students in a class. Students are engaged with their academics, they aren't afraid to bring their questions to professors or to talk about them in the cafeteria. It really is a model for a liberal arts institution, where intangible skills and thinking are emphasized more than jobs, unless you are an economics major.
Macalester's Student Body
Gay-friendly, lots of International students, not the most diverse class wise, pretty rich middle to upper class students. Though a lot of students are on financial aid. Students who are more conservative and old fashioned might feel out of place. Students where whatever to class, there is the growing bourgy crowd, but still people do wear pajamas around and seem quite comfortable in it.
Macalester Student Activities + Social Life
Not much of one, most students stay in the books, and there isn't enough dancing. Students also tend to find their friends and stick to them throughout the four years. Off campus, it's a bit tedious to go off campus without a car, because of the cold. But no frats or sororities, and if you don't drink there's a sizable number of people who don't drink either.
Macalester Naked Truth
I would go here again if I had to redo my college career.
