火爆社区

Carleton College provides a liberal arts education known for its 鈥渁cademic rigor,鈥� and while the trimester schedule means that 鈥渃lasses move quick and can become overwhelming,鈥� students say peers are 鈥渟upportive and won鈥檛 hesitate to help each other with assignments.鈥� One standout program 鈥渃onnects students with upper-classmen鈥� in the health sciences and 鈥減lans a lot of engaging and informative events.鈥� Students appreciate opportunities to be innovative and self-directed. One explains, 鈥淚鈥檓 combining political science with visual arts, [by] using poetry from political prisoners in a stop motion animation short film.鈥� And unlike many schools, all courses at Carleton are taught by professors. Overall, professors are described as 鈥渁bsolutely phenomenal and鈥�very dedicated.鈥� One student shares, 鈥淚鈥檝e had multiple professors who have been willing to give up time on weekends...to discuss class work and鈥�attend student events.鈥� Students, known across campus as Carls, also get the chance to mingle with instructors as part of the Carleton Convocations Program, a campus-wide weekly speaker series featuring experts from a wide array of disciplines sharing research and insights to 鈥渟timulate thought and conversation.鈥� Students 鈥渁re encouraged to attend and meet with each speaker,鈥� and widely report that convocations are 鈥渁 really nice way to learn something new and enrich our experience.鈥� In short, Carleton is a place for 鈥済enuine scholars鈥� who value a 鈥渧ery strong sense of community where your peers and teachers all want to support you and help you reach your fullest potential.鈥�

Students at Carleton tend to share one defining feature: 鈥淚t might be a strange hobby, a niche academic passion, or just a funny little personality trait, but it鈥檚 something people embrace rather than hide. It creates a campus atmosphere where individuality feels normal and celebrated.鈥� As a result, students can 鈥渟it down in the dining hall or walk into a study space and end up in the most unexpected, interesting conversations鈥攕ometimes about classes, but just as often about random curiosities or big ideas. The student body is curious, open-minded, and excited to connect with one another.鈥� One student describes the overall vibe as 鈥渃runchy casual,鈥� and students are known to 鈥渨ork hard and study frequently,鈥� and challenge each other intellectually. 鈥淭he Carleton student body runs on the liberal side, but everyone is open to differing viewpoints, and no one criticizes others whose opinions may differ from their own.鈥� At Carleton, personal differences are celebrated: 鈥淐arleton students are often described as quirky, and I think people have really embraced that鈥攂eing weird and being yourself are important.鈥�

During the week, students focus on academics but make a point to 鈥渇it in as many other activities as we can,鈥� thanks to the school鈥檚 鈥渞ich club culture.鈥� There are 鈥渕any clubs and athletic teams of varying levels that students join,鈥� and many note that 鈥淔risbee is an especially popular activity on campus.鈥� Students spend 鈥渁 lot of time outside, working, playing sports, and hanging out.鈥� Colder months find Carls 鈥渋ce skating in the quad,鈥� cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing through the Arboretum. And 鈥渙n the weekends, there鈥檚 usually somewhere on campus to party.鈥� Carls are 鈥渘ot afraid to be goofy or engage in any of our many ridiculous traditions,鈥� whether that鈥檚 blowing bubbles on professors at convocations, letting out a primal scream at 10 pm the night before finals start, or dressing to impress for Midwinter Ball. Friday flower sales near the student mailboxes are a tradition that strengthens friendships and encourages 鈥渁 sense of community and belonging.鈥� As one student attests, 鈥淭he feeling of having a busy week and finding a flower in your mailbox just elevates the whole mood.鈥� Carleton is a community where students 鈥渇eel comfortable, supported, and connected鈥� on a campus 鈥渢hat truly feels like home.鈥�

Carleton鈥檚 Career Center offers assistance to students at each stage of their career, and students agree 鈥淭here are great resources for academic and career help, and all kinds of interests are encouraged.鈥� For instance, there鈥檚 the Scholars Program, an 鈥渆xperiential learning opportunity鈥� that includes site visits and the Externship Program (鈥渕ini-internships鈥�) that are completed over winter break. Those looking further afield can use Carleton鈥檚 GoinGlobal database to take on challenges worldwide. Professors 鈥渁re very helpful in finding students summer...job opportunities,鈥� and Carleton further encourages students by awarding financial support for unpaid internships based on both need and merit. The online Student and Alumni Profiles offer access to the alumni network, informational interviews, and career advice. Likewise, the Handshake app connects students to internships and jobs after graduation, and The Tunnel, Carleton鈥檚 own site for internship and job postings from organizations, features postings by alumni seeking to hire recent Carleton graduates. PayScale.com reports that 45 percent of Carleton graduates feel their careers help make the world a better place. The median starting salary for a Carleton grad is $68,600.