Macalester College - Academics

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

At a small school like Macalester, where the average class size ranges from 10 to 16, students inevitably grow to know their professors as people rather than as distant specks at the head of the lecture hall. Likewise, most Macalester professors grow to know their students on a personal basis—even a lecture-course professor is likely to recognize his or her student outside of the classroom. Therefore, while personality clashes do sometimes occur between students and professors, the majority of Mac students agree that, by and large, their professors are not only amiable, enlightening, and engaging in the classroom, but also highly accessible and helpful outside of the classroom. In addition to telling students their regular office hours, most Macalester professors will even give out their phone numbers and e-mail addresses on the first day of class. This is one of the perks of going to a small liberal arts school where the profs can focus all of their attention on the undergrads.

Furthermore, students genuinely appreciate the opportunity to “shop around” for the right professor and for the right class early in the semester. In fact, Mac students have a good two weeks to sit in on courses, read the class syllabus, or get some advice from older students before they decide to add or drop a class without it going on their record. Students also have the option of taking one class per semester pass/fail, allowing Mac undergrads the opportunity to choose what classes they focus on.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

The teachers range from good to... The teachers range from good to excellent. They are very respectful of students and their freedom. I feel like they have a good feel for how much of a workload a student can handle, while still maintaining a vibrant social life. I’ve had some amazing classes at Macalester, and I feel like my whole perspective on the world has been enhanced and enriched. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

For a while, I taste-tested... For a while, I taste-tested various departments, but ultimately came home to English. The English department at Macalester boasts fiercely intelligent, witty, and interesting professors. I don’t know a lot about departments outside of my major, however. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

I have had wonderful experiences... I have had wonderful experiences with most of my professors. Mac profs are, for the most part, inspiring and interesting. Most of my classes have been extremely engaging and have exposed me to information that has had a profound effect on me. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

The teachers are all full of pep... The teachers are all full of pep and energy. They’re sassy, but very knowledgeable. Class discussions are inevitably fun-believable! 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

All of the teachers are here to... All of the teachers are here to try and make your experience at Mac the best possible. They make time for you and try their best to help you succeed. As long as you choose classes that are interesting, you will find yourself caught up in the material. 12345 Academics Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Macalester has been named “America’s Hottest Liberal Arts College.”

A gift of Reader’s Digest stocks from Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt Wallace resulted in over $500 million in endowment. As a result, Macalester has had a dramatic growth of applicants and a great amount of reconstruction on campus.

During midterms and exams, Macalester students are treated to an evening buffet of over 10 different kinds of desserts. Macalester implemented the new tradition after canceling the bi-annual Midnight Breakfast due to several incidents of students streaking.

Students at Macalester represent all 50 states and international students compose 14% of the student body. In fact, an estimated one in six Macalester students comes from one of 89 foreign countries.

More than 50 percent of Macalester students study abroad. In the past five years, Macalester students have studied in over 63 different countries.

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