We don't have any Greek life on campus. I knew that I didn't want to be on a campus with Greek life because of the weird pressure and hierarchy it creates. Carleton doesn't have frats or sororities, but we do have interest houses. They're campus owned houses that students live in and run. Everyone who lives in the house has a shared interest, there's a culinary house where everyone enjoys cooking, there's a sci fi house that has movie marathons and episode screenings together, things like that which foster communities based around interests rather than popularity.

My absolute favorite Carleton tradition is the Silent Dance Party, which happens every term the night before finals. A week or so beforehand, someone makes an hour-long mix and posts it online so everyone can download it to their various devices. Then at 11pm that night everybody makes their way down to the first (and quietest) floor of the library with their devices ready--everything from iPods to laptops. Some people dress up; there's almost always someone in a gorilla costume. There's a collective countdown, and everybody starts the mix at the same time, the starts dancing! The only rule is you have to be silent, and respectful of the people studying instead of dancing. I whole-heartedly recommend participating, but if you don't it's also pretty funny to watch about one hundred students dancing to silence (you can also look up videos on youtube). The mob makes its way through the library and around a few buildings on campus before finally ending where they started at midnight. Most of the participants can't dance, but everyone gets really into it and it's totally ridiculous--the perfect way to blow off some steam before finals.

I should write more, but I'm distracted now.

The best part about Carleton social life is the lenient alcohol policy. The administration feels that Carleton students are responsible enough to make their own decisions about alcohol and doesn't get involved unless peoples' health are in jeopardy. We drink with our dorm rooms open with no fear of getting in trouble and campus parties are rarely shut down by security.

The music department is mega lame here. If you are serious about music, never ever come here. Also, if you live somewhere without a real winter you may want to reconsider moving to Minnesota. I know how cliche it is to say "well, it's cold there!" but it really is.

If you're considering Carleton, make sure you visit. You can't really get a feel for just how great this community is until then. I went from not applying at all to applying early decision in the space of two days when I came up. And I don't regret my decision for a minute. I loved every day I spent here.

I love Carleton. I would not trade my experience here for anything. I have learned so much in and out of the classroom and I know that Carleton as a whole is committed to my success.

I'd say the best way to know Carleton is to come visit. I had an amazing time visiting during accepted student's weekend and was already able to get a sense of a vibe here just based on those two and a half days.

Pretty good. The geology professors are incredible. Same with art. I can't speak to any other departments.

I hate Carleton, but that's just my opinion.

The Carleton norm isn't far from the American one; students should be as many of the following as possible to be valid: heterosexual, male, white, upper middle class or wealthier and (at this College) atheist. Some students are 'quirky' - others are really bothered by the label of 'absurd' that the school seems to have to apply to pluralism in the student body. Certainly, many more students than I would have imagined have social and communication difficulties - calling these students 'quirky' instead of 'nerds' is an attempt to politely mask their (at times) bizarre behavior. Carleton students are not intellectually curious - they are interested in finding better rhetoric to support the ideas they will not challenge. Confrontation of this close-mindedness rarely occurs in the classroom, and is almost impossible to ensure occurs outside of the curriculum. Most Carleton students consider themselves liberal but do not investigate the privilege and elitism that come with said label. Most students consider themselves very accepting of others, though there are unspoken rules as to what cannot be accepted and what must/should be 'tolerated.'

Like any institution, Carleton College has its strength and weaknesses. For my part, I believe the strength of Carleton College is its professors. They are very approachable and always willing to help any student. I have witnessed professors writing strong recommendations for students they hardly know. As for weaknesses, in the past, I believed the school administration was not very sympathetic to low-income students. However, this appears to be changing as Carleton College's New Access Scholarship, which will be implemented during the 2008-2009 school year, will be a major help to low-income students. A continuing weakness of Carleton is a lack of school pride for sporting events. There seems to be a large divide between the student athletes and the rest of the student body. One experience that I will never forget is the Halloween fight over the bust of Friedrich Schiller. At Carleton College, there is an ongoing competition to capture a bust of Schiller. Often, the group that has the bust will bring "Schiller" to special occasions such as the Halloween Concert in 2005. The competition to grab Schiller lead to an all-out tussle (not an excessively violent tussle though) in the street, which was broken up by Northfield police.

Academics here are the best. All the professors are accesible and get to know you. Classes are SMALL and personal. Prof's doors are always open and they always want to talk. Participation is encouraged and discussions are great. Students are always looking for a good intellectual conversation. The distribution requirements are not hard to meet, save the language requirement which is a bitch. Education is geared toward learning.

no frats/sororities. nightlife generally centered around room parties and school-planned activies. SUMO, the student-run movie organization, is great, and there are cutural trips organized to the Twin cities on a fairly regular basis.

very accepting atmosphere. very nurturing and accepting of differences, with lots of student interaction and dialogue. clothing worn to class has a big range, from high heels and dresses to birkenstocks and sweats. generally politically aware, very leftist.

the school is too small. People first havent heard of Carleton (im from CT, nobody thinks there is a world outside of the NE and California). Id tell them where it was and they would say "You know its cold there" and "You know thats far away." I spend most of my time on campus in my dorm because Goodhue is isolated. There isnt that much school pride, its pretty middle of the road. I will always remember playing my first college baseball game in the Metrodome. The most frequent student complaint is the food.

It's like high school but everyone is a little smarter. People are jerks and idiots and sluts. Shit happens then people talk about it.

There's been a big resurgence of J Crew-style kids, for better or worse. The quirky thing still holds true to an extent, but Carleton's a lot more preppy than it presents itself. It probably has something to do with the fact that it's become more need-aware recently.