The Fiske Guide notes that one of Macalester’s hallmarks is “an internationalist view of the world.” Fiske is a selective guide that presents schools in subjective rather than statistical terms. “Mac attracts the best and brightest. Macalester students
are an open-minded, friendly bunch, more politically and socially progressive than their peers at similar institutions. The school provides an atmosphere of high-powered scholarship and success, pairing academic rigor with global perspective. Teaching is paramount.”
The Newsweek/Kaplan guide recently identified a group of New Ivies, “colleges whose first-rate academic programs, combined with a population boom in top students, have fueled their rise in stature and favor among the nation’s top students, administrators and faculty—edging them to a competitive status rivaling the Ivy League.” Macalester College was one of 25 schools selected as “The New Ivies: 25 Hot Schools.” more»
Macalester ranks 19th among national liberal arts colleges in the Washington Monthly guide, which ranks colleges “based on their contribution to the public good.” The criteria are based on the conviction that “America’s best colleges provide social mobility, contribute to research and scientific discovery, and encourage students to serve their communities and the nation at large.”
“Students report that ‘there’s a really strong campus community’ and ‘professors approach teaching their given subject from numerous angles. While this may make choosing a specific major somewhat difficult, it absolutely enriches everyone’s thoughts and sparks discussion across campus about a variety of issues.’ The new Institute for Global Citizenship, study abroad, and the
diversity of international students make Macalester ‘a very worldly place.’ Academics are ‘taken very seriously’ and academic offerings ‘are top notch.’ Undergrads tend to be ‘fairly relaxed and easygoing, intelligent, high-achieving, hard-working, and
unpretentious.’”
Macalester ranks 15th in a survey of high school counselors whom U.S News asked to rate colleges according to which “offer the best education to their students.” The college ranks 29th overall and 25th for academic reputation among the 266 national liberal arts colleges in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. Macalester ranks 13th on the Great Schools, Great Prices and the Best Financial Aid lists, and is one of 13 schools noted for the strength of their study abroad programs.
The Students’ Guide is created, written, and edited entirely by
current college students. The guide creates 10 lists, each containing 10 schools, offering
unique insights into America’s top 100 colleges. Macalester is on the list for the Top 10 Most
Intellectual Schools: “At Macalester, we just have a shockingly good time with our academics.”
It’s also listed on the Top Schools for Super-Activist Types. “Macalester students have an
honest and profound desire to try and make the world a better place.”
Based on a survey of college leaders and students, this book describes the character and quality of 50 colleges and universities that “merit similar consideration” along with the Ivy League. “Macalester is one of only a handful of selective undergraduate liberal arts colleges located in a metropolitan setting, a particularly appealing one, which provides unlimited opportunities for community service, internships, cultural, and social outlets.”
Colleges with a Conscience
“Macalester College boasts not only a strong academic
reputation, but also an uncommonly unified spirit of social and political awareness.” Colleges with a Conscience selected Mac as a school that “has both an administration committed to social responsibility and an active engaged student body…where education isn’t only about private gain; it’s also about the public good.” One student explains, "People who come here have a purpose. They know how to commit to a
community and engage themselves in meaningful work.”
"Undoubtedly, a Mac education is the ultimate preparation for success in academia, law, medicine, social service, and business. But more importantly, Mac is an exceptional environment of life-altering enlightenment, life-changing experiences and lifelong friendships. Alumni networking plays a powerful and positive role in the careers of many Mac graduates.” Written for high-achieving students, Barron’s Guide presents detailed profiles for nearly 70 of the most academically competitive four-year colleges.
Student Success in College, a book based on a study conducted by a group of higher-education researchers, has identified a group of 20 colleges and universities that create a campus culture shown to foster student success. This list identifies institutions that do an especially good job of educating students. Here’s what they say about Macalester, “The college aims to provide a high-quality education while making certain that students engage intellectually, socially and ethically with pressing issues of the larger community and the world.”
Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students
The Advocate guide recognized Macalester as one of the 100 Best Campuses in the United States for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) students. The guide’s 100 profiled campuses were selected based on institutional policies, commitment and support, academic life, housing, student life,
counseling and health services, campus safety, and recruitment and retention efforts.
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