Carleton College welcomes the Class of 2006 with the start of New Student Week on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The 506 students were selected from a pool of 4,165 applicants and they represent 47 states and 24 countries, with 124 students coming from Minnesota, followed by Illinois (45), California (24) and Wisconsin (23).
Nineteen percent of the class are multicultural students, 11 percent are the first generation of their families to attend college and 10 percent speak a language other than English at home. Eighty-three members of the class are National Merit Scholars, one is a National Achievement Scholar, and seven are National Hispanic Recognition Scholars.
Beyond academic achievement, members of this year’s entering class have participated in a wide variety of extracurricular activities: 82 percent have performed community service, 31 percent have played two or more varsity sports, 54 percent play a musical instrument and 36 percent have taken part in a theater or dance production.
During New Student Week, the 239 men and 267 women will engage in a variety of activities designed to introduce them to life at Carleton, including the Common Reading, a 14-year-old tradition for new students which reinforces what it means to study at a liberal arts college. This year, students will meet with faculty and staff discussion facilitators to talk about Rick Bragg’s "All Over But the Shoutin’," and use it as a platform to identify and discuss issues.
Another unique New Student Week activity is the annual "Into the Streets" community service day. Slated for Sunday, Sept. 15, this year’s entering students will spend the day volunteering at area service agencies. New Student Week also provides ample time for social activities, academic placement testing, musical group auditions, and course registration. Classes begin on Tuesday, Sept. 17.