Macalester College Top Questions

Macalester. Hmm, well its tough to start considering I might be one of the biggest fans of this school. I live about 25 minutes away and originally thought that I was going to be too close to home. This was definitely not the case. I felt like I was from a state far away. The atmosphere at Macalester is one of the intangibles and made me feel like I had found a new home.

You want a city? have two. Want a small campus? All right. College is what YOU make it, and Macalester is a place that can make you feel at home. Only go to a school where you feel comfortable, and if Mac is that place, you'd better come here.

In general, Macalester is a good, small college. The small-college vibe is very present, with low class sizes and lots of community. One of the things that makes Mac special is its location in the Twin Cities, nearly directly between two downtown areas, which is a direct contrast to otherwise similar schools. The amount that this location is actually important varies from person to person, however, and I found that (at least during my first year) I spent a lot of time staying on campus, in what is the very defined "Macalester Bubble". However, regardless of whether you stay on campus or make use of your location, the college's facilities are excellent, and living for a week without leaving campus is not uncomfortable.

I think Mac is just the right size, especially as most of the juniors and seniors don't live on campus, so it makes an even smaller commnunity. The best thing about Macalester is really the people, the vast majority of the student body are friendly, very welcoming and interesting. When I tell people I am go to Mac, they are either impressed or haven't heard of it at all, the majority being the latter. Off campus time is really up the individual, some kids go off campus every weekend to concerts, restaurants and museums and other people never leave. I wouldn't say it's a college town, but there is defintely a "Mac bubble" of the mile or so area around Macalester, up and down Grand, that it is very easy not to leave, with all of the coffee shops and restaurant.

Macalester is a little utopia located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Its small campus creates and inclusive community known as the "Mac Bubble," where everything a student needs from study spaces, social events, and midnight snacks is available. Located in the urban Twin Cities, chances abound to escape the "Bubble"- whether it be for trips to concerts, museums, sports games, or for community involvement through Mac programs, internships, or independent volunteering. While many choose Macalester because of its urban location, its amazing how rarely first years actually leave the Bubble!

Macalester is a small and cozy campus in the busy twin cities area. It is a very diverse and multicultured environment. Many students spend their time outside during nice weather or else at the campus center doing work. There is much school pride with our Rugby and soccer teams. We are a super friendly and well-informed campus that does not hold back any ideas and conversations about a wide variety of issues and topics.

The size is really fantastic. It's small enough to have a close-knit community and you see people you know all the time, but at graduation there are still a ton of people you have never seen before.

Macalester is a really academically-tough college. I can´t say how many times I´ve been stressed out of my mind. But, it´s so rewarding. I´ve learned so ridiculously much about things that aren´t even related to my major that I would never choose to go anywhere else. Mac also has very little grad requirements, so you can really dig into your interests. The campus itself is really cozy, in a really nice neighborhood, with lots of cool little diners to eat at. I´ve never felt unsafe.

Macalester is a small liberal arts school in the middle of two big cities, which is a draw for many people. Most people don't take as much advantage of the cities as they could, and tend to stay on campus most of the time. This makes sense when it is -30 degrees outside (which happens), but the cities are great with tons to do.

Macalester is a very small school. While it is easy to know most everyone, it is harder to be friendly with everyoen becasue there are so many cliques. At first, many people think they are smarter then everyone else in part because they were atop their respective schools...this changes depending on the major. While in the twin cities, there is a macaleser bubble, and many students find it hard to leave a radius of six blocks.