A Transfer's Perspective

Introduction
Anyone looking for the big college party scene will be very disapointed. If you were popular in high school, chances are you won't be at Mac. We are all a bunch of outcasts, nerds, freaks that hate classist systems. If you are opinionated, individualistic, and liberal, you'll fit right in. People of faith may have trouble feeling accepted, but trust me, there is a place for you as long as you're appreciative of all faiths.

Campus Life and Social Life
Parties are small and intimate. The good thing is that since the school is small, someone you know will always know someone throwing a "party". The good thing about Mac is that RA's tend to look the other way when it comes to drinking and smoking in the dorms. Its SUPER easy to sneak people/booze/weed into the dorms. House parties are usually weak, but sometimes can pay off and be the best weekends you've ever had. There are no Greeks, no need for them. Academics
I'm a psychology major, and it is AMAZING. The department is well staffed with some of the most intellegent and nice people you'll ever meet. It's a pretty popular major, and I love the people in my classes. Not to mention that Mac has a great program. It's tough, but you'll be ahead of the game when grad school comes around. In general, Mac is well known for its outstanding academics. You can't go wrong.

Student Body
Haha, ok so the "typical" student is liberal, has probably been to a protest, is a vegan, bi, yet comes from a well off family, and probably doesn't understand financial hardships first hand, but will fight for the lower class underdog in a heart beat. The typical Mac student also is pretty smart, and probably arrogant about it. They are involved in lots of different activities and has many ideas of how to make the world a better place. Oh, also is probably agnostic or athiest, smokes weed, and doesn't play a sport. I have to say, all in all, I think I have yet to meet this "typical Mac student". There are plenty of different people here with different interests and personalities. I, myself, break the stereotype of a Mac student on many levels, while conforming to it in other ways. For example, I'm a Catholic, and I'm on the golf team, and I enjoy meat. But I still voted for Kerry, and love Lord of the Rings.

In Closing...
Like I said, Macalester is a haven if you are a liberal nerd. It will force you to find your true self, and stand up for your values, even if they are different from Mac. I find that the student population is more introverted that other big schools, which I personally love. Plus, Minnesota kicks ass, and campus is in a great area. Don't believe what you hear, the winter isn't that bad.