Carleton College User Reviews and Ratings
There is nowhere I'd rather be
By SH, From Northfield, MN
Carleton College is a home for all types of people. They pride themselves on being a little bit quirky but it isn't necessarily that the school attracts weirdos more that it is a place where everyone is accepted for who they really are. There is no pressure to become someone that you aren't. The students and the faculty are all amazing. Some of the professors have also told me that the students at Carleton all just love to learn. He talked to friends and colleagues at other universities who complained that their students hated lab or didn't try when writing papers. He felt very proud of Carleton's students as they get upset when lab is cancelled, put in so much effort into their work, and most of all just love to be learning at Carleton. Students don't shy away from classes that are known to be hard but rather get ready and put in the work necessary to understand what they are learning. While this is a competitive school to get into the competition ends when the students arrive on campus. Carleton is known for creating a collaborative environment and encouraging students to help each other understand the material they are learning. Classes are about gaining an appreciation for the topics and understanding various viewpoints rather than trying to beat out other students for the highest grade. Even beyond classes Carleton is a very supportive environment. No matter where you are on campus people are there to help you and support you. It doesn't matter if you don't know someone because they are willing to be there for you and truly want to become your friend. Carleton doesn't always get the recognition it deserves and remains relatively unknown to the vast majority of the country and the world but Carleton College really is the best place on earth and this should be spread to everyone!
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great academics; great friendships
By Scott Z., Class of 1974, From Glen Ellyn, IL
I'm a 1974 graduate of Carleton, when the school was ranked about #12 in the US News Liberal Arts Colleges rankings. It is ranked higher today, and I'm not sure I could get in now. The best thing about Carleton is the professors. Full professors regularly teach introductory courses. Class sizes are small, and you establish a personal relationship with your professors. You have to be diligent in your studies, but if you have a good enough record to be admitted, you already know how to study and how to write well. While course work is important (the main reason one goes to college), there is so much more at Carleton. I had great friendships at Carleton. I played intercollegiate and intramural sports (basketball, hockey, softball, and frisbee). I learned to appreciate classical music (with regular live performances by visiting artists). I went to dances with hard rock bands. I saw plays and heard concerts by college and professional performers. I heard speeches by prominent speakers. I talked with fellow students about everything under the sun, I participated in water fights, I dropped cafeteria jello off a 4th story balcony to see if it could survive the impact with the sidewalk, I flew kites (including some giant ones I made myself), I watched guys swim across a small lake in chilly weather (I couldn't get up for that one myself), I played in a 108 inning softball game (to celebrate Carleton's 108th anniversary), and many more things. There is a tendency to study hard and play hard at Carleton. Northfield is a small town (20,000+ souls, including the students at 2 liberal arts colleges -- St. Olaf and Carleton). The Carleton campus can be pastoral or suburban in feel. If you want a big city, Carleton is probably not for you, but the Twin Cities are just an hour away. I went to the St. Paul state capitol building for some of my studies. I regard my 4 years at Carleton as the best time of my life. Everyone is smart, but they are also regular folks.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Best School Ever
By Bailee, From Northfield, MN
This school is everything i could have possibly asked for
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Best Undergraduate Education in the US
By DKW 2010, From San Francisco, CA
I am a Carleton Grad ('10) and without a doubt believe my education has prepared me extremely well and enabled my to pursue a career (scientific research) that love and did not think was within reach when I entered school.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Amazing college that will prepare you well for life
By Eric, From Minneapolis, MN
Carleton provides a truly unique liberal arts experience. If you want to learn to think for yourself, write well, and develop your intellectual curiosity, this is the place to go.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Who would have thought?
By Parent of current student, From San Diego
My son went to an acidemically rigorous high school in Southern California. Because he was a very good football player he had probably 30 offers from schools across the country. His last visit was to Carleton college. He chose Carleton and couldn't be happier. He loves the school, his classmates, and teachers. Before you make your college desision visit Carleton. Like many of these top liberal arts schools Carleton offers so much.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：3
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Changed My Life
By no such honor, From Tokyo
Class of '72, history major, male, Asian American, retired from investment banking, almost 70. The four years at Carleton changed how I view & think about the world (more accepting but inquisitive), how I search for answers & solve problems (more disciplined & self-critically), and how I enjoy life more (because history is a voyage to another planet and a guide to ours today). No guarantee, however, that Carleton will work for you, if you do not pick up what is required of you, which is one of the things the place is good at teaching you even while you rebel and dance and smoke and drink against...self-discipline. And thinking.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：1
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：1
Dorms & Housing
Score：1
Health & Safety
Score：1
Creativity and intellect in academics and classmates
By Ella F., class of 2015, From Nashville, Tennessee
I attended Carleton and adored every moment, every high and low. The excitement of being a student at Carleton pervades the campus, and lasts after graduation in the hearty alumni network.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Best Place to Spend 4 Years
By Jack A, Class of 2016, From Chicago, IL
Best place, best school, best people, best teachers. Literally this place is amazing. If you don't mind being in a small town surrounded by nature and brilliant ideas and people, then Carleton is the place for you. Not a day goes by that I don't appreciate my time here and its development and profound impact on my life.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Best of the best
By Class of 22, From USA
Could not have asked for more.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：3
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Learn to learn
By Jeff, class of 1998, From Minneapolis, MN
Carleton teaches you how to learn. It's a place of curiosity, exploration, teaching, questioning, and growing. As a graduate of Carleton College, my path in life would not be what it is today had I not spent 4 amazing years with peers and teachers who pushed my boundaries.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Wonderful college experience, challenging academics
By LAW, Class of '75, From Huntington Beach, CA
Great school, great education
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
The students, the faculty, everything is AWESOME
By anonymous, From Northfield, MN
Being here has been a phenomenal and life-transforming experience. The students here are incredibly bright, and for the most part, very friendly and humble (there are exceptions, but the vast majority are great people). The one thing Carleton does struggle with is diversity-- not necessarily just racial/ethnic diversity, but especially with diversity in political views. If you have conservative views, be prepared to be ostracized (a lot of people on campus don't support ostracizing people with differing views, but those who do are usually the most vocal about it). However, if you're liberal, don't mind some weirdness, want high quality teaching and access to numerous opportunities (lots of funding for research, internships, etc are available), this is the place to be. People here are highly intellectual, the classes are incredibly challenging yet rewarding, and the professors are extremely accessible and amazing teachers and mentors. Highly recommend this school. (Side note: I chose Carleton over other schools that are "more prestigious"/ higher ranked schools and know plenty of others who did the same, and I have never felt like I had less opportunities because of it, in case that is an issue for anyone. Lots of people choose Carleton because it is the place where they feel they belong the most and for the quality of teaching, which is another draw-- you won't be surrounded by pretentious students who only care about rankings!)
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Best undergraduate teaching in the country
By Class of 2022, From Northfield, MN
Hey guys, I'm a first-year student who did not come from a high school that was academically organized. Let me just start by saying that academics here is exceptional. My perspective of learning changed completely, from not liking to learn at all to loving learning. This is only my 9th week here and my view of learning has completely shifted for the better. The thing about Carleton is that you will be surrounded by incredibly intelligent individuals who will push you to be a better student, citizen, and person. Everyone is very humble, focused, quirky, and self-driven. The social scene lacks for a person who loves the city as there is not much in Northfield. But lots of people take trips to Minneapolis/ St.Paul on the weekends. If you want an adventure, come to Carleton.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：3
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：3
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Exceptional place
By Current parent., From San Diego, CA
Carleton is an amazing, unique place. Academics are very rigorous, yet totally collaborative. This is the nicest, most brilliant set of kids hothoused in a teensy town. You will learn critical thinking. You will be exposed to multiple viewpoints. You can study art and biology at the same time. And every single grad school in the country will recognize the caliber of your education.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Excellent College
By Anon, From Northfield, MN
I love Carleton and have grown in so many ways here. Carleton can definitely be a fast-paced and challenging place, but at the end of the day the education is amazing and the student body is one of a kind.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：4
