Carleton College | Student Reviews | Best College

Student Profile

Giggle

Class: Junior
Major: Other Natural Science And Mathematics
Gender: F

High School: small, private school
Transfer Student: N

Big Picture

I think Carleton is the perfect school for me. However, it isn't for everyone. I like that it is small and in a small town. I do feel proud to go to Carleton and, at least in my major (which is geology), Carleton is pretty well-known as being a good school. I love my department because the people are open and welcoming and we laugh and relax together. I also love my major because it is something that makes me happy in a way that nothing else can. I am very interested in the history of Earth and how everything connects to everything else. But I also have a lot of other interests - like languages, books, math, astronomy - and being at a liberal arts college has allowed me to pursue those. On campus, I am all over the place. Since I live off-campus a long ways, my base is generally the geology building. But, depending on my other classes, I work in other buildings too. A lot of geo majors chill in Mudd, but many other students study in the Libe or Sayles (I think). As for the administration...I don't really know. I mean, I think some people are boring, old, white guys who really don't have a clue. But some people are cool and understanding and concerned about the students. I think Carleton is so big on continuing its "reputation" that some people, ideals, etc. fall through the cracks. Res Life sucks though. Totally NOT helpful with students' needs.

Academic Life

I have had generally very good experiences with academics here at Carleton. In my department, the teachers are all good, but different, so there is a range of teaching styles and personalities, which makes it fun. They all know me and we talk sometimes during lunch or between class, etc. Outside of my major, I still say hi and chat with other profs I've had, which is really sweet. Some classes have more discussion and some less. I generally tend to be less talkative in class, but that's my personality. Sometimes a class can bring me out, though. But generally, there is a lot of discussion. Students I don't think on a whole are competitive, but I have heard that some people in the administration think that it is very good to be competitive. Personally, it stresses me out and I want to do well for myself, so that I learn, not to get a better grade than the other people in my class. That's just stupid and NOT what Carleton is supposed to be about (the whole learning thing). On that note, I do think students are interested in learning for learning's sake, though I hear stories about econ or bio majors that they just want to get a job that makes them lots of money. I think, though, that I don't get exposed to many people like that, given my activities and major.

Student Body

Oh this is a hard question for me. I don't like to judge people and so I have very little opinions about the student body as a whole. I mean, we're all people and we're all different and so every statement is going to have an exception. For example, we're not all jocks, but there are some of those. And not all jocks are "jocks", as the stereotype goes. But not all of us are interested in learning and not all of us passionately discuss politics. In fact, I hate politics, which is a weird opinion to have at Carleton. Each of us is different, but I guess that's what Carleton students are supposed to be.