Carleton College Top Questions

The most common words used to describe Carleton students are "quirky" and "nerdy." Quirky because they are all unique and a bit odd--most people have a special talent or an offbeat hobby. Nerdy because they are not only intelligent, but they enjoy classes and want to discuss academic subjects outside of the classroom. Other less positive stereotypes are that Carleton students are socially awkward and/or not very attractive. These mostly stem from the existence of their "rival" college, St. Olaf College. St. Olaf students are supposedly the dumber, prettier ones and Carleton students are the smarter, but uglier ones.

Students are quirky, Minnesota is frigid in the winter.

We are very quirky. We are active in whatever we participate in (i.e. extracurriculars). We were once voted to be the happiest students in any college/university institution in the United States.

That they're liberal, quirky, work hard, and drink a lot.

Kids are a bit nerdy or weird.

Carleton is supposed to be in the middle of nowhere Minnesota, full of adorable, quirky, socially awkward, nerdy, exceedingly nice, and super smart students.

The stereotype of a Carleton student is somewhere between a hippy and a nerd; Imagine someone hugging a tree and blogging about it at the same time, and you're almost there. The big word that is supposed to define Carleton is quirky.

Stereotypically we are nerdy, and stereotypically we don't dress very well.

That we're ugly, smart, and nice.

nerdy, quirky, not too centered on appearance (i.e. not very attractive), smart, very nice, unassuming, friendly, love frisbee

The admissions department will tell you about how much students work together in study groups and on projects. Coming from Massachusetts, there aren't very many stereotypes about Carleton because most people have never heard of it. I've had this conversation a number of times: Person: Where are you going to college? Me: Carleton. Person thinks: I've never heard of that school, it must not be very good. Person: Where's that? Me: It's in Minnesota. Person thinks: Oh, maybe that's why I've never heard of it, but I have to be careful it case it's not very good. Person: It must be so cold there.

Very Liberal, Hippyish, Unattractive student body, especially the girls. Everyone loves frisbee. Everybody is white. Everybody is extremely friendly.

Hippies, Ugly, Smart, Awkward, Work Hard Party Hard Mentality, and probably some others.

All Carleton students are awkward. All the girls are unattractive.

nerdy, smart

They are very intellegent, but not very pretty.

Carleton students are seen as somewhat quirky. Perhaps even nerdy. We are also viewed as a student-body that is constantly working on academics.

Carleton students are "nerdy" in a good way and extremely smart. Each person at Carleton has a unique attribute that his or her peers love and relish.

We're smart and quirky, but socially awkward and not all that attractive.

that we are "quirky" poorly dressed, really nerdy, and chill.