Macalester College Top Questions

Macalester is all about image, from the way the administration presents the school to the individual students. Macalester is seen as a center for international co-operation, multiculturalism, and open-minded intellectualism. It is also a cesspool of elitism. Macalester creates division among students by separating international and domestic students and white and non-white students. International students get a lot of perks that domestic students don't, like special events and trips off-campus. Programs exist just for non-white students in the name of promoting "diversity and multiculturalism," going against the idea of unity and acceptance. By distinguishing differences by giving certain groups more privilege, Macalester succeeds in creating alienation and resentment. The image is that everyone is equal and accepted; the reality is the opposite. As a non-white student, I am personally offended by Macalester's presentation of multiculturalism and diversity. Macalester is not creating a community of global citizens as it claims it wants to; it is creating graduates that exotify other cultures and think that they are better than other people for attending this college.

Mac is a small tight knit community in Saint Paul. Despite being a small community that mostly hangs out with itself, the Mac social scene is paralyzed by social awkwardness to a degree I'd never encountered anywhere else. This is more of a home for social retards than a school. The winters are terror inspiring so you'll never want to leave your dorm much less campus during most of the school year. Hanging around over the summer is a good idea because it allows you to get to know the cities better. Unfortunately, Mac's administration seems hell bent on transforming Mac from a small community of radical activists to a much more average, ivy wannabe school with an emphasis on sports, vague pontificating about social activism and mediocre academics. What used to make Mac special is slowly but surely being bled from this once great school.

Mac is not too big, or too small. For me, it's just the right size. It's a tight community but I still meet people I don't know every day. The campus is right on the central avenue of Saint Paul (Grand Avenue) so food (multicultural or just a coffee), dry cleaning, photo printing services or a friendly local flower shop are all things within a short walk. There isn't a lot of school pride and we don't have fraternities or any selective clubs like that. People are very interested in global issues and having many international students helps. I came here (from Israel) just because I knew that Mac promotes a multicultural, informed life. Everyone has their own interest, whether it's the environment, eating disorders or writing for the school paper, and many student organizations allow for everyone to find a way to put their interest into action. And a little bit off topic - the food at the cafeteria is really good.

Macalester has about 1500 students and is located in St. Paul, Minnesota. It's nice to have such a small campus because professors are very accessible and you start recognizing other students' faces really quickly. A downside is that it's sometimes hard to get into classes you want. Most people from North Carolina don't recognize the name Macalester, or know about it being a relatively prestigious school; generally people just want to know why I go somewhere so cold for school. The cold for me is actually the most negative part about Macalester; it's really hard to get exercise during the winter.

Be prepared to burst your bubble. At Mac the beautiful campus is just the beginning of the college. Learning doesn't stop at the college gates or for that matter the incredible cities we're in but our education spans the globe. At Mac you'll learn to be a global participant.

It's really cold!!!!!!! It's April 28th and it snowed two days ago. It's often sunny but gets down to -20 or -30, so watch out. Being a small school, it's easy to talk to professors here, but sometimes it feels way too small. Most people I know at home have never heard of Mac, but when you find someone who knows it they're usually impressed. Most time on campus has to be spent on homework! There is a lot of homework! St. Paul is a fun city; Minneapolis has more going on but most people seem to stay on campus a lot and don't really take advantage of the location. This could be because we're at least a 30-minute bus ride from anything really cool, and it's too cold to bike for 3/4 of the time here. Athletics are sort of a weird scene. There are a few really good athletes but most people view sports as very extracurricular and aren't as dedicated as people on most teams. There isn't a whole lot of school pride, and I know a lot of students here who don't really like Macalester, not for one particular reason but some combination of the cold weather, excessive homework, and notoriously awkward student body.

best thing: TIGHT community great size if you're looking to recognize, be friends with or know of most people around campus reaction: if they are from ri they say, minnesota? if they are from minnesota, they say, oh thats a hard school small campus: time is spent there lots of oppurtunities for things to do in twin cities administration: ok school pride: in a unique way, not your typical "go to the football game" school but its loved student complaints: study abroad, student housing options

Macalester is perfect for me because I really wanted a small school in a big city. If I had gone to a similarly sized school in the middle of no where, it would have gotten small...fast. But since we're in a city, it's really easy to get off campus and go explore the Twin Cities, and get to meet people outside of Mac. There is always a lot to do off campus, and great options through volunteering and internships to really build your resume. We're in a really cool section of St Paul where you're not surrounded by sky-scrapers or something, but it still feels pretty urban. One thing to check out about Macalester is soccer games- they are the biggest thing to do on Friday and Saturday nights in the fall. Soccer is a bigger deal than football and tons of people go to the games, and its fun because you get to see our school pride and also our weird cheers (drink blood, smoke crack, worship satan, go mac!). People often complain about Minnesota winters (which aren't that bad with layering) or always having a lot of work (but they secretly love their classes and papers). People do often complain on weekends that there aren't enough parties, but there is always stuff to do, there are just no huge keggers or something.

The best thing about Macalester is just the great people who make up your evryday life--the teacher, your fellow students and the staff.

Macalester is a great school for those who want an intellectual, but intimate environment. Professors usually know you by name, which is really nice. Some people are a little pretentious, but most people are very smart, but still know how to have fun and laugh at themselves.