Definitely visit! Macalester has a very definite atmosphere, and it's difficult to imagine yourself as a student there without having physically been there.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Macalester is definitely not for you if you don't enjoy schoolwork. As a student, be prepared to read and write TONS. It isn't bad, though. Professors are very willing to work with you if you're having trouble and they genuinely want you to succeed. Also, even if you come in thinking you have a pretty well established set of opinions, expect to have them constantly questioned. Mac prepares you to think about things from every angle and constantly re-evaluate yourself. There is a meme for Mac that says Life used to make sense; now everything is a social construct, and it is very true, but it is a really fantastic academic environment there! Everyone is very passionate about what they are doing and Mac students are generally strong advocates for social justice issues. Mac definitely prepares you for the world, not just for more school.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
I was placed in a single my first year on campus. At first I was kind of crushed about it, but Mac does a really great job at including everyone and creating a welcoming community environment. Making friends was really easy, and I wouldn't consider myself an extremely social person normally! I really love my dorm community and have had a great time bonding with my floormates as well as meeting people from other communities. Dupre doesn't have sinks, but it makes up for it with class. Definitely invest in some colorful posters, but where the dorms lack in aesthetics they make up with amazing people and a friendly atmosphere. You will find your Mac family.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
If you have any dietary restrictions, Mac is very accomodating. There are always vegan and gluten-free options, and the catering staff is very accessible if you have further concerns. Don't go into school here expecting a diet of cheese pizza, mac&cheese, and ramen--Cafe Mac never serves it. Very nice selection of healthy foods, amazing salad bar (feta cheese and kalamata olive amazing!), wide variety of foods, and nice variation throughout the week. My only complaint would be about their policies surrounding the cafe. You aren't allowed to take food or coffee out of the Cafe (except pastries and fruit), and if you want to downsize your meal plan they don't offer you a lot of other options, but still charge you the same price. As far as I know, these things are being worked on at this time, however.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Mac does a great job of informing students of both on-campus and off-campus events! We have periodic dances on campus and those can be pretty fun if you go with the right people. Poetry slams are AMAZING! They sound kind of nerdy, but seriously they are one of those things you just don't miss. Otherwise, the twin cities are amazing and there is literally always something going on if you're looking for it. Also, you can get cheap concert tickets and bus passes through the campus center!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
If you need the money, Macalester will give it to you. We are one of the few colleges that give 100% aid based on your need, but don't figure that need into the application process. Mac is not only worth it academically, but the social experience you will receive here is something you'd have a hard time finding somewhere else. Though, again, Mac is really not that expensive if you can't afford it to be. A lot of my friends going to community college are paying WAY more than I am paying at Mac.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The Children's Section in the second floor of the library is a super cozy place to hunker down and study... or take a cat nap! There are also about 30 practice rooms with beautiful pianos in them in the new Fine Arts center that are just fantastic. When you visit be sure to ask someone about the bell!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Mac usually gets the reputation as a big hipster school or as very liberal. This is kind of true, but there are definitely a much wider variety of people at Mac than just hipsters. Ultimately, whoever you are I think you will find your niche here, but I would say Mac is especially great if you identify as politically involved (no matter which party), passionate, over-achieving, artsy, or even as a bit quirky.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
While it's difficult to speak broadly to all of Mac's extracurriculars, I have a lot of friends involved in a wide variety of activites and they all love them! No matter what you are interested in, Mac has a club for it that will be very happy to welome you with open arms. This is where the friendly community enviroment at Mac really kicks in. In my experience, you form amazing circles of friends in Mac's clubs that stick with you during your time here!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Mac doesn't have any Greek life, but we do have super cool options for living outside dorms! We have a cultural house, language houses, an eco house and many others. Also, if you are interested in an alternative to the meal plan, you can apply to live in the Veggie Coop where residents take turn buying groceries and cooking vegetarian meals for the entire building. Even if you're not a vegetarian, a lot of people really love living there!
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Mac is overall a really safe environment. Even though you are in the middle of the city, the Mac Bubble is very real and keeps you safe when you're walking from building to building. And, if you ever don't feel comfortable, students have the option to call Campus Safety and have two student employees walk with you to where you need to be.
Definitely visit! Macalester has a very definite atmosphere, and it's difficult to imagine yourself as a student there without having physically been there.
Macalester is definitely not for you if you don't enjoy schoolwork. As a student, be prepared to read and write TONS. It isn't bad, though. Professors are very willing to work with you if you're having trouble and they genuinely want you to succeed. Also, even if you come in thinking you have a pretty well established set of opinions, expect to have them constantly questioned. Mac prepares you to think about things from every angle and constantly re-evaluate yourself. There is a meme for Mac that says Life used to make sense; now everything is a social construct, and it is very true, but it is a really fantastic academic environment there! Everyone is very passionate about what they are doing and Mac students are generally strong advocates for social justice issues. Mac definitely prepares you for the world, not just for more school.
I was placed in a single my first year on campus. At first I was kind of crushed about it, but Mac does a really great job at including everyone and creating a welcoming community environment. Making friends was really easy, and I wouldn't consider myself an extremely social person normally! I really love my dorm community and have had a great time bonding with my floormates as well as meeting people from other communities. Dupre doesn't have sinks, but it makes up for it with class. Definitely invest in some colorful posters, but where the dorms lack in aesthetics they make up with amazing people and a friendly atmosphere. You will find your Mac family.
If you have any dietary restrictions, Mac is very accomodating. There are always vegan and gluten-free options, and the catering staff is very accessible if you have further concerns. Don't go into school here expecting a diet of cheese pizza, mac&cheese, and ramen--Cafe Mac never serves it. Very nice selection of healthy foods, amazing salad bar (feta cheese and kalamata olive amazing!), wide variety of foods, and nice variation throughout the week. My only complaint would be about their policies surrounding the cafe. You aren't allowed to take food or coffee out of the Cafe (except pastries and fruit), and if you want to downsize your meal plan they don't offer you a lot of other options, but still charge you the same price. As far as I know, these things are being worked on at this time, however.
Mac does a great job of informing students of both on-campus and off-campus events! We have periodic dances on campus and those can be pretty fun if you go with the right people. Poetry slams are AMAZING! They sound kind of nerdy, but seriously they are one of those things you just don't miss. Otherwise, the twin cities are amazing and there is literally always something going on if you're looking for it. Also, you can get cheap concert tickets and bus passes through the campus center!
If you need the money, Macalester will give it to you. We are one of the few colleges that give 100% aid based on your need, but don't figure that need into the application process. Mac is not only worth it academically, but the social experience you will receive here is something you'd have a hard time finding somewhere else. Though, again, Mac is really not that expensive if you can't afford it to be. A lot of my friends going to community college are paying WAY more than I am paying at Mac.
The Children's Section in the second floor of the library is a super cozy place to hunker down and study... or take a cat nap! There are also about 30 practice rooms with beautiful pianos in them in the new Fine Arts center that are just fantastic. When you visit be sure to ask someone about the bell!
Mac usually gets the reputation as a big hipster school or as very liberal. This is kind of true, but there are definitely a much wider variety of people at Mac than just hipsters. Ultimately, whoever you are I think you will find your niche here, but I would say Mac is especially great if you identify as politically involved (no matter which party), passionate, over-achieving, artsy, or even as a bit quirky.
While it's difficult to speak broadly to all of Mac's extracurriculars, I have a lot of friends involved in a wide variety of activites and they all love them! No matter what you are interested in, Mac has a club for it that will be very happy to welome you with open arms. This is where the friendly community enviroment at Mac really kicks in. In my experience, you form amazing circles of friends in Mac's clubs that stick with you during your time here!
Mac doesn't have any Greek life, but we do have super cool options for living outside dorms! We have a cultural house, language houses, an eco house and many others. Also, if you are interested in an alternative to the meal plan, you can apply to live in the Veggie Coop where residents take turn buying groceries and cooking vegetarian meals for the entire building. Even if you're not a vegetarian, a lot of people really love living there!
Mac is overall a really safe environment. Even though you are in the middle of the city, the Mac Bubble is very real and keeps you safe when you're walking from building to building. And, if you ever don't feel comfortable, students have the option to call Campus Safety and have two student employees walk with you to where you need to be.