The students all seem to be extremely happy about being here. Everyone is excited about who they're meeting and what they're learning. On the other hand, someone who only cares about academic learning would not fit in well. Carleton students realize that academics are only half (a very important half) of the learning experience. If all you want is a place to do your work, Carleton is not the place for you - it has too many cool things to be experienced!

People who are passionate and curious fit in well at Carleton. Motivated people who take the initiative to make their Carleton career exactly what they want it to be. Everyone usually fits in at Carleton, they just can't be afraid to limit themselves.

A good fit: Involved, friendly, curious, accepting, hardworking, self-forgiving, modest, and genuine. Bad fit: Judgmental, lazy, and afraid to try new things.

Students here are almost universally friendly, quirky, and smart. Most people have great senses of humor. Also, there's a culture of openmindedness. An unfriendly, conformist, stupid, close-minded person would not fit in here.

Imagine your friend's adventurous aunt just returned from an archeological dig. One night, she prepares a dish for you from the region she was stationed in. It's warm and it smells kinda good, but it's lumpy and the predominant spice is unfamiliar to you. Do you try it? (Good fit for Carleton.) Do you scrunch your nose and push it away? (Not such a good fit for Carleton.) Do you not eat it, but make it into a miniature replica of the city of Pompeii? (Good fit for Carleton.)

I honestly have not seen anyone rejected or treated badly in a social situation. The only way you wouldn't fit in is if you were intentionally offensive or unfriendly. The student body seems very funny, relaxed, and open.

It's hard to characterize the student body. I think it would be pretty accurate to say that a majority of the people are quite serious about academics and that the population is friendly and receptive.