Student Body
Carleton's student body is notoriously difficult to categorize, but if we had to choose just one word to describe them, it would be curious. They're an intellectually insatiable group that approaches learning with enthusiasm, energy, and a uniquely Carleton brand of playfulness. Broad-ranging interests are common, and friendships seem to cross all traditional boundaries.
Students at a Glance
- 1,986 students
- 1,023 female, 963 male
- From 49 states and 36 countries (8% international)
- 22% identify themselves as people of color
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Claire Weinberg '12 says: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. -
Adriana Estill (faculty) says:Students here are committed to learning broadly, across the curriculum; they're curious and let that curiosity lead them into unmarked territories; they are self-reflective and thoughtful about their strengths and weaknesses; finally, they know when to reach out for help, and that that's not a sign of weakness. -
Alex Brewer '12 says: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. -
How would you describe the students at Carleton? Anna Chance '15 says:A good fit: Involved, friendly, curious, accepting, hardworking, self-forgiving, modest, and genuine. Bad fit: Judgmental, lazy, and afraid to try new things. -
Asim Manizada '13 says: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. -
Marty Baylor (faculty) says:Carleton is for students who love to learn something new. Whether it’s trying something they have never done before like jewelry making or delving deeper into a subject they have seen before, Carls live to learn. -
Al Montero (faculty) says:Carleton students are not just intellectually curious, they are courageous. They are asked to do things that they have never done before, face risks they have never faced, and then they tackle the challenge not sure how things will pan out. Fail or succeed, they emerge the better for it, and then they ask for a new challenge. -
Susan Jaret-McKinstry (faculty) says:Students are willing to engage with everything - their classes, teachers, friends, ideas, adventures, expectations - and let everything in their world be expanded, reimagined, and reconsidered. All with curiosity, openness, and wit. -
Claire Weinberg '12 says:I remember the brochures stressing the humility of Carleton students, which I think I didn’t believe, because it’s sort of an oxymoron to declare in an admissions brochure that students are humble. I’d just like to say that I’ve found this to be 100 percent true. No one brags about their accomplishments or tries to one-up anyone else in terms of how hard their classes are or how much stuff they’re doing (which I saw in high school all the time). Even when people have genuinely amazing skills, they tend to downplay them. The result is that you feel like you’re going to a school full of perfectly normal people who just happen to do really impressive things.
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Kathleen Galotti (faculty) says:Carleton students are hard to sum up in just a few words--there are extraverts and introverts, students who love arts, and students who love sciences, and students who love both. The sort of student who thrives here is one who actively seeks a challenge, who likes to be around other smart learners, who isn't afraid of hard work, and who doesn't grade grub. -
Yansi Perez (faculty) says:I had a student who was completely engaged with her studies (one of the best I've had) and also completely engaged with her political activism. Most Carleton students are like this one--fully engaged in EVERYTHING they do. -
Scott Carpenter (faculty) says:Carleton students thrive on challenges. Their curiosity leads them in directions that make them nervous. They work hard, sleep too little, play furiously—and they each do it with their own personal panache. -
Peter Schlesinger '12 says: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! -
Collin Hazlett '12 says: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. -
How would you describe the students at Carleton? Marlena Hartman-Filson '13 says: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.) -
Sam Patterson (faculty) says:Carleton students are eager to learn, energetic, eager to learn, unpretentious, eager to learn, and possessed of good humor.
140 x 140 pixel photo of student blogger, Claire Weinberg
140 x 140 pixel photo of student blogger, Jon Kittaka
140 x 140 pixel photo of student blogger, Marlena Hartman-Filson
Stevie P. displaying his slacklining prowess on a beautiful spring afternoon
We were slacklining and happened to see Stevie P. cutting across the bald spot towards us... so naturally we insisted that he give it a shot. He wasn't too hard to convince.
Working Hard and Playing Hard in Peru
While hiking back down from the Catarata Pacalaca, Carleton Students and Peruvian friends took a quick break with a Carleton frisbee to enjoy the scenery.
Earth Day Contradance
Carls, Oles and the Northfield community dance in West Gym.
Who says people can't be Neolithic monuments? Reenacting Stonehenge during an English Seminar program in London.
Anna Chance '15
Anna Chance '15 and friends at a 2011 Diwali celebration
Anna Chance '15 and friends playing some Nordic folk music at The Contented Cow
Winter Fun
My Life at Carleton
The rugby pitch
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Members of the Schiller Society working for admissions during the summer
Students going crazy at Spring Concert
Classroom Help
Classroom Collaboration
Arb Class
Interns in action
Introduction to Geology students and majors discussing the Mill Street conglomerate
Carleton students are fun
Friendship at Carleton
Student at commencement
At this year's Spring Concert, there was no shortage of muddy feet and muddy faces.
Spring Concert
dogsledding
fall
Over 150 student groups and organizations participated in the Student Organization Fair on the Bald Spot on Sept. 17, 2010.
Over 150 student groups and organizations participated in the Student Organization Fair on the Bald Spot on Sept. 17, 2010.
Student working on Eat the Lawn.
Carleton students gather to discuss tough social questions over bowls of chili.
