◼ Academics
How big are the classes at Carleton? The average class size at Carleton is 17, and the average lab size is 13. 70% of classes have 19 or fewer students. Our 235 regular faculty provide a student-faculty ratio of 8:1. Faculty teaches all courses and lab sections, so there are no teaching assistants responsible for classes.
Are faculty members accessible? Carleton's faculty has been nationally recognized for their commitment to teaching, and most students will agree that faculty members are not only accessible, but approachable as well. Faculty members hold regular office hours and it is not uncommon for students to have lunch or play on an intramural team with a professor.
Are there opportunities for students to study abroad? In 20222023, 394 students studied off-campus through 70 different programs in 38 countries and territories and 79% went on Carleton faculty-led programs. There are a variety of domestic and overseas programs for Carleton students. They fall into three general categories:
Students who participate in off-campus studies in programs with other Carleton students, led by Carleton professors. Students can study abroad to improve their foreign languages skills (Spanish in Spain, Francophone Studies in Mali), study science (geology in New Zealand, ecology or biology in Australia), and broaden their horizons (Political Economy in Southeast Asia). These six programs are just a few offered by Carleton.
Programs sponsored by Affiliations: Carleton is in a number of affiliations or consortia that sponsor off-campus study programs. Faculty members are from one of the institutions, and students are drawn from some, if not all, the institutions.
Independently Selected Programs: A student can select a program through other colleges or agencies and apply for credit from Carleton.
Will I be able to conduct research as an undergraduate? Many Carleton students find themselves assisting with faculty research, and sometimes even serving as co-authors for academic papers. Students also are encouraged to conduct their own research, and do not have to compete with graduate students for time, equipment, or the faculty's attention. 77% of our student body engage in research.
What is the trimester system and what are its advantages?
Carleton operates on a three-term calendar, with each term being ten weeks long. Our fall term typically starts after Labor Day and concludes prior to Thanksgiving. Students then have a six-week winter break, which includes all of December, and return after the
New Year to complete winter and spring terms. Commencement is usually held the second weekend in June.
Because each term is only ten weeks long, Carleton students take three courses per term. This allows the students to concentrate on three subjects, and still gives them time to participate in the cocurricular activities that abound each term.
What are Carleton grads (2022-2023) doing with their liberal arts degrees?
The Career Center is eager to help students make well-informed decisions while at Carleton and beyond. Their assistance includes: resumes, interviews, networking, and experiential learning opportunities.
Post-graduation:
15% Enrolled in graduate school within 1 year
65% Employed
1% Seeking
19% Other (including volunteering)
70% Enrolled in graduate school within 8 years
Most Common Fields:
Business/Finance/Sales
Healthcare
Higher Ed
Science/Lab Research
Law
Medical School: Carleton is highly successful in preparing students and alumni applying to medical school. Approximately 50 students apply each year. Five-year average of acceptance is approximately 81%.
Law School: Five-year average of acceptance is 86%
◼ Apply to Carleton
How do I apply to Carleton? Carleton requires students to submit the Common Application, Coalition Application, or Quest Bridge to be considered for admission. There is no application fee for students applying online. You'll also need to work with your school to ensure that all of your supporting documents (transcript, recommendation letters, test scores, etc.) are sent to our office. Once you apply, we'll give you access to an online portal where you can check the status of your application materials.
What are the application deadlines?
Fall Early Decision: November 15
Winter Early Decision: January 15
Regular Decision: January 15
What is the Early Decision commitment? These options are for students who decide that Carleton is their first choice college. A student may apply to other colleges, but it is understood that Carleton is his/her first choice (Early Decision at Carleton is “binding”). The criteria for selection for students applying under Early Decision are identical to those under regular decision. However, once admitted, every early decision candidate will be asked to withdraw applications to all other colleges.
What does the Admissions Committee look for in a student? Admission is based on several considerations: superior academic achievement as demonstrated in the applicant’s school record and his/her scores on the required entrance exams; personal qualities
and interests; participation in nonacademic activities; and potential for development as a student and a person at Carleton. The Admissions Committee has a goal of recruiting a diverse student body.
Does Carleton offer merit-based scholarships? No, Carleton believes that all its students are meritorious. Therefore, the College focuses its funds on meeting each student’s demonstrated financial need.
Will credits earned prior to enrollment be accepted at Carleton? For those students entering as freshmen, Carleton accepts up to 18 credits of pre-Carleton work, which may count toward the Carleton degree. These credits may be College Board Advanced Placement credits, International Baccalaureate credits, or Registrar-approved pre-matriculation credits (credits in college level courses taken prior to high school graduation or college matriculation).
◼ Cost / Financial Aid
Can my family afford to send me to Carleton? We believe strongly that any admitted student who wants to attend Carleton should be able to do so, regardless of their financial situation. To realize this philosophy, Carleton meets 100 percent of a family's demonstrated financial need through a combination of grants and scholarships that do not have to be repaid, federally secured and subsidized loans, and part-time campus jobs. Funds are also available for international students.
What is a typical financial aid package like? There are no pre-set financial aid packages. Each financial aid package is dependent on each family's respective financial situation. There are two major categories of need-based financial aid awards: grants and scholarships, which do not need to be repaid; the self-help aid, which needs to be either earned (work-study), or repaid (student loans). Carleton is committed to being affordable to all admitted students.
How do I apply for financial aid? First, indicate on the Common Application that you wish to be considered for financial aid. Each family must also submit the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov/ and at collegeboard.com/profile There is no separate Carleton application for financial aid.
When will I find out what my financial aid award is? Students are informed of their financial aid award at the same time they are offered admission.
For those students who apply early decision, a tentative award will be included with the offer of admission. This award is based on estimated figures from the previous year, and may change when actual figures are used.
I have questions about my financial aid package – who should I talk to? All individual financial aid questions should be discussed with the Student Financial Aid Office at 1-800-995-2275 or 507-222-4138 (or email financialaid@carleton.edu).
◼ Campus Life
Do I have to eat all my meals in the dining halls? Dining is an integral part of residential life at Carleton and most students eat most of their meals on campus. Carleton offers flexible meal plans that give students options to eat at five campus locations: East Dining Hall, Burton Dining Hall, or one of our three Cafés. Meal plan
options include 5, 15, or 20 meals a week alongside an amount of “Dining Dollars” which students can use at dining halls and cafes around campus.
Do students live on-campus all four years? Carleton College is a residential college; therefore, all students, aside from a few exceptions, must live in College-operated residences and participate in the College dining plan. In addition to the 11 residence halls, Carleton has 20 houses/townhomes, and 13 interest houses on campus, and we are in the process of expanding housing options on campus.
What types of extra-curricular activities are available? With around $750,000 allocated annually to ~200 student organizations, there’s never a dull moment at Carleton. Students participate in a broad array of extra-curricular activities including community service; sports and recreation; music; theater and other arts; campus radio; newspaper and campus publications; campus governance, and more. Check out http://www.carleton.edu/student/tostudent/orgs/ Where can I find more information about Carleton’s COVID plan? The most recent information on our response to COVID-19 can be found at https://www.carleton.edu/covid/
◼ Athletics
Do athletics play a big role in student life? 74% of Carleton students participate in varsity, club, or intramural sports. There are 10 varsity sports each for men and women (19% participation). Our student-athletes excel in the classroom and in their venue of competition. Carleton competes in one of the nation’s toughest conferences in the NCAA Division III, the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).
Apart from varsity teams, there are 38 club and intramural teams which give them the opportunity to interact in a fun, relaxing, healthy and cooperative environment. For more information visit: https://apps.carleton.edu/athletics/
◼ Carleton / Northfield
How easy is it to get to the Twin Cities? The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are located 45 minutes north of Carleton. Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges run a charter bus between Northfield and the Twin Cities. The bus makes stops at Burnsville Center, Mall of America, Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, Macalester College, and downtown Minneapolis.
What is Northfield like? A small community of about 20,000, Northfield was recently named the second best small town in the country according to newly released rankings. Said to “inspire both creativity and activity,” and “offers unhurried atmospheres, authentic character and characters, cultural gems, fantastic outdoor settings and the uncommon ability to change lifestyles, shift points of view and nourish souls with simple pleasures.” Shops and restaurants line Northfield's historic Division Street, within a few blocks of campus.
How cold does it get/how bad are the winters? Minnesota is known for its cold, snowy winters. For the majority of Carleton students, winter is an adjustment from their home states. Most Carleton students do not, however, shy away from the winters, but rather relish the thought of a new broomball season, late-night traying down Evans Hill, and Sunday afternoon ice-skating on the Bald Spot.