Carleton College Top Questions

The average class size is between 15 and 20 students, so it is very easy to get to know your professors at Carleton. Even the biggest classes only get up to about 60 students so you're never just a number. This allows classes to be more discussion than lecture oriented and gives all students a chance to participate in class. Carleton students are generally active and engaged in the classroom. Professors are also likely to invite students over to their house. This term the professor of my freshman seminar, a class limited to 15 freshmen students meant to introduce first term students to Carleton academics, invited our class over for dessert at his house. We all sat in his living room and discussed how we'd felt about the term. You cannot get an experience like that at a big school. Carleton has a unique academic schedule that's very different from most schools. It runs on trimesters, running Sept.-Thanksgiving, Jan.-March, and April-June. Students take only three classes each term. Each term only lasts ten weeks, but it covers all the material normally covered in a semester. Thus, Carleton academics run in short intense bursts. It can get pretty stressful, but every time there's a break it's in between terms so it's a real break not extra time to get that big paper done. Also, having three more intense classes instead of four or five easier ones allows students to get more out of each of their classes instead of being spread thin over several subjects. Even though Carleton is a very intellectual environment where students get excited about learning and are motivated to succeed, it is very noncompetitive. Letter grades are almost never discussed since students focus on doing their individual best rather than competing with each other. When students do discuss their grades, it's in a more general way, such as "Are you satisfied with your grades this term?" instead of "What grades did you get this term?" Everyone just wants to do their personal best, which takes off some of the pressure that is put on students. An education at Carleton is definitely geared more towards learning for its own sake than getting a job, though that is not to say that Carleton students are not successful after graduation. Help with everything from schoolwork to internships to post-graduation planning is available from multiple sources on campus. If you feel like you are not able to get help, it's probably because you haven't looked.

The average class size is between 15 and 20 students, so it is very easy to get to know your professors at Carleton. Even the biggest classes only get up to about 60 students so you're never just a number. This allows classes to be more discussion than lecture oriented and gives all students a chance to participate in class. Carleton students are generally active and engaged in the classroom. Professors are also likely to invite students over to their house. This term the professor of my freshman seminar, a class limited to 15 freshmen students meant to introduce first term students to Carleton academics, invited our class over for dessert at his house. We all sat in his living room and discussed how we'd felt about the term. You cannot get an experience like that at a big school. Carleton has a unique academic schedule that's very different from most schools. It runs on trimesters, running Sept.-Thanksgiving, Jan.-March, and April-June. Students take only three classes each term. Each term only lasts ten weeks, but it covers all the material normally covered in a semester. Thus, Carleton academics run in short intense bursts. It can get pretty stressful, but every time there's a break it's in between terms so it's a real break not extra time to get that big paper done. Also, having three more intense classes instead of four or five easier ones allows students to get more out of each of their classes instead of being spread thin over several subjects. Even though Carleton is a very intellectual environment where students get excited about learning and are motivated to succeed, it is very noncompetitive. Letter grades are almost never discussed since students focus on doing their individual best rather than competing with each other. When students do discuss their grades, it's in a more general way, such as "Are you satisfied with your grades this term?" instead of "What grades did you get this term?" Everyone just wants to do their personal best, which takes off some of the pressure that is put on students. An education at Carleton is definitely geared more towards learning for its own sake than getting a job, though that is not to say that Carleton students are not successful after graduation. Help with everything from schoolwork to internships to post-graduation planning is available from multiple sources on campus. If you feel like you are not able to get help, it's probably because you haven't looked.

Challenging, but not impossible- rewarding. Profs are very smart and generally good teachers- they make every subject seem interesting even if it's not your forte.

Because each year's class size is around 500 students, and each class size is anywhere from 15-25 students, one will find that the professors do know your name and are more than happy to see you. I once had a 2 hour meeting with a professor, and then, the following day, had another hour meeting with them that included a present of a free book for my research. I have had experiences with professors that range from lending me my favorite anime movie, to making dinner for me at their house; the professors at Carleton are very engaged with their students. My favorite class at Carleton was a class called "Globalization and the State". This class was my favorite because I didn't like most of the readers, I argued many times against the majority of the class, and received a B as the end grade. Now these reasons may seem absurd to make it my favorite, but what it did for me was open my mind to what others thought, to broaden my argumentation and base my arguments in facts, and the professor opened my eyes to knew and amazing possibilities. Because Carleton is a prestigious and vigorous school, many students find themselves studying more than they have ever done in their life. This doesn't mean that the students don't have fun. There are many different activities that Carleton has, as well as a plethora of extracurriculars for students to participate in. Our Intramural sports teams are fun, and range from those who are serious to those who just want to have fun with friends. Many conversations that students have range from the last episode of Project Runway to Barber's "McWorld vs. Jihad" and Hobbes "Leviathan". Students can be competitive against each other, but more likely than not, students compete with themselves and work to attain their best. My major, International Relations, is tied very tightly (and is often confused with) the department of Political Science. As a senior I will begin writing what is called my comps, or comprehensive exercise, of which I will need to write a paper and give a poster presentation on a paper that I have written previously. This requirement makes sure that I am able to do everything that my field has taught me, as well as formulate an intriguing and original argument. Carleton rears its students to be able to know how to learn, making sure that where ever we go, we will be prepared.

All of my professors know my name by the end of the first week of class. My favorite class has been structural geology - we took a trip to Palm Springs! I usually study about six hours a day, but don't study on Friday or Saturday except for in extenuating circumstances. Carleton education is, as a whole, learning for its own sake, though professors tend to be well connected and helpful with finding post-college plans. Carleton students are infamous for having intellectual conversations outside of class - my housemates and I especially love arguments about words.

Class can be hard but most teachers are excellent. Carleton has a very positive and supportive atmosphere of learning. Teachers are always around and willing to help but the greatest resource may be working with other students at the school.

Do professor's know my name? Yes. Do I sometimes wish I got to know them better? Of course. It often takes time and is easier when you have smaller classes (and depends on how open the prof is). However, I have had profs invite me over to their houses, I've turned in a final paper to a prof at the local bar, and I've generally found profs to be very friendly and willing to get to know the students. Class participation is common and often invigorating, though there are definitely students who talk for the sake of talking or thoe who shy away from discussion. And yes, Carleton students definitely talk about intellectual subjects outside of class. Their whole speech is charged with intellectualism! We joke about our classes, what we're learning, who we're reading, etc. People will dress up as paramecium for Halloween, we'll make jokes about Michelle Foucault, etc. You learn tons of things outside of class and through your interactions with your friends. My favorite classes have probably been my intro to poetry class, my Israili-Palestinian history class, and my intro to prinkmaking class. All three opened up a well of knowledge on subjects I knew only scant amounts of infomation on. They all had fun, dynamic profs with very different styles. The first had strong engaging discussion where the students got to take center stage with interpretation. The second pushed me to think beyond overly simplistic views of middle east history (and created my desire to major in this field). The third allowed me to work closely with a prof at developing a strong set of artistic skills while teaching me to recognize their application in various works of professional art. Ironically, my worst class may have been my most unique. It was a class that sounded good: explore the life and works of mathematician and father of the computer, Alan Turing, while working on the play The Lovesong of the Electric Bear and analyzing other works of art that dealt with either the complexities of Turing or other aspects of science. In reality, the class just wasn't structured very well and often tried to do too much with too little time. I also realized that I didn't have quite enough experience with math or desire to make the extra effort to gain said experience to make the class worthwhile. This taught me that it is often better to take a class in a subject a prof knows well than to take an experiment that seems great at the time. One quick thing on the grad requirements. If you don't continue with the foreign language you're working on in high school (or test poorly on the placement exam) you'll have to start from scratch and take at least 4 courses (5 for Japanese and Chinese) to complete the language requirement. While this might not seem like a lot at first, these classes can quickly get in the way of other classes you may have hoped to take. So unless you REALLY want to work your butt off on this new language, stick with what you know and make time for other priorities

Carleton is by no means a slacker's school, and everyone there spends at least double digit hours in the library every week. That said, the classes are small, the professors are engaged, and the material is generally rewarding.

Academics are amazing. However, if your only goal in college is As, go somewhere else. Students here don't compete, and doing so with an elitist attitude is frowned upon. If you want great grades, of course, go for it, but the general feel is that you are doing it as a personal challenge, not to beat your peers. Priority in class is learning; students have a responsibility to pick their classes well, and if you get a rare bad prof, it's also your responsibility to get your ass out and into a class you enjoy. Professors often become close friends or mentors.

definitely have a personal relationship with the professors, address almost all of them by their first name. academics are in general excellent and VERY satisfying. there is a lot of work, can't lie, but the payoff is great. not to say you'll get straight A's, but you probably won't fail any classes if you just do the assigned work. learning is paramount, and the class offerings are mouth-watering. there is a real intellectual curiosity here, among the students and staff. it's a really wonderful learning environment, and all the departments really reach out to their majoring students, including them in lots of fun department-specific activities and opportunities.

Being such a small school, there is a lot of class participation and prof interaction. I'm the type of student who would sometimes stay after class to talk to my teachers in high school, and the classroom environment seems pretty comfortable to me, not to say that every one does it. The profs are trying to look out for the students' best interests, and are particularly open because there are no grad students to occupy their attention. I chose Carleton because it was so different from the cutthroat New England schools I was considering. Everyone there seems much more laid-back and cooperative. Students don't compete with each other for good grades; they compete with themselves. Any night of the week students are ushered out of the Libe at 1am by the bell. I think the school does it because they know we wouldn't stop studying and go to sleep otherwise. However, there are several 24-hour computer labs for when you need to print a paper at 4am. Students are extremely intellectual and often have academic conversations in the dining hall, and even occasionally while drunk.

Academics at Carleton is very work intensive. A normal Carleton work load consists of three classes a term, each for about 3.5 to 4 hours a week. It runs a trimester system, so students often end up taking nine classes in a year. Students at Carleton are really fortunately not that competitive. People's grades or GPA's are hardly ever talked about. Nonetheless, people work very hard, but not really in a competitive fashion, in which one hopes to put other students at a disadvantage. Many Carleton students take classes just for the sake of learning about a subject. For instance, a biology major might want to take a sociology course not because they want to major in sociology or not necessarily because it is an easy course, but rather out of pure interest for the subject. Students at Carleton, however, definitely have their futures in mind, but this does not stop them from learning whatever they wish.

Professors in most departments will know your name unless its a large freshmen science class. Most professors are known on a first name basis. Many students study abroad, Fall junior year is the most popular time (because of Carleton's trimester schedule this is pretty much the only time that you can go on non-Carleton programs). Students study a lot, the Academics are pretty rigorous but you definitely bond over it and students still know how to party and make time to do it.

Students do not really discuss grade. You might never even know if one of your friends won a Fulbright, people are just that modest.

As I said, Carleton students are really smart, but they also do not spend all their time comparing themselves to each other. In general, they love to participate, and in my experience, thus far, we have extremely interesting and engaging class discussions. In my religion class on the Holocaust, we had discussions each day led almost entirely by the students, and when the professor wasn't there for a week, we led classes entirely by ourselves and videotaped our discussions so that he could watch them later. The education at Carleton is geared entirely toward learning for its own sake; the emphasis here is on discovering what we are truly passionate about and on trying out new things.

Most of the professors are really nice and helpful. The level of intellectual discourse at Carleton is very high--inside and (even more so) outside the classroom. Economics is pretty strong at Carleton. We have several professors who graduated near the top of their class are U. Chicago. The education at Carleton is for learnings sake. The academic requirements are completely changing and seem to be evolving toward a more "open" philosophy.

Professors take great pride in their teaching and students take great pride in learning. Even the President holds office hours! For a small college, there really are an amazing number of course offerings. It is not uncommon to see students in the library on Friday and Saturday nights and there is no stigma against this. In you major, professors often become acquaintances and really more knowledgeable colleagues than dogmatic professors. The liberal arts requirements shape students into individuals able to discuss multiple topics while at the same time gaining detailed knowledge of their major discipline.

I am not going to talk about how tough the academics are. They are tough, everybody knows that. Class Participation: It really depends on the class. But, generally, I would say class participation is pretty good at Carleton. Competitive: No, not at all. I heard a professor say today that Carleton students should be less modest. He thinks it hurts them when they are applying for jobs, internships, and fellowships. Major: The History Department at Carleton College contains some of the best professors around.

I think the rigorous academic reputation of Carleton is overstated. I don't find my self doing that much homework, and I'm passing all my courses. Maybe it is hard to get A's at Carleton, but it's not hard to pass. I think it quite clear that Carleton education does give you marketable skills. This is a point of contention amongst Carleton students. My feeling on this is that when someone attends a liberal arts school, it is not going to be anything like a trade school. Carleton College teaches its students analytical skills, which is important for many jobs. Carleton will not teach you how to replace a muffler.

People think that if you're not a science or math major, that profs aren't that accessible and that the humanities departments aren't that integrated. It's a rigorous schedule with a lot of computer literacy.