Carleton College
Carleton College overview
Carleton College is a prestigious private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, in the United States. The college was founded in 1866 and is known today for its strong academic programs and its active campus life. It awards degrees in more than 30 distinct academic disciplines. The most popular fields of study include the social sciences, the physical sciences, biology, mathematics and statistics, and the performing and visual arts. The college works on a trimester schedule, and most students take three classes each term.
The classroom atmosphere encourages cooperation rather than competition, and the college places significant focus on contact between students and instructors.
If you study here, you will find an abundance of chances to take part in research. The work is interesting and relevant across a wide range of academic fields. Undergraduate students frequently work with faculty members on research papers and present their findings at regional, national, and even international conferences. The college has over 200 professors, and it takes pride in a low student-to-faculty ratio that gives each student individual attention. Over two hundred student organizations are open to you.
They span academic interests, cultural and racial initiatives, gender and sexuality affinity groups, service organizations, and many more.
The campus covers a total area of 1,040 acres. Of those, 880 acres form the arboretum devoted to the study of conservation and the environment. You have a supportive setting in the town of Northfield. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are less than an hour's drive away. That distance gives you access to the metropolitan conveniences and possibilities of those cities. Over seventy percent of students go abroad for at least one semester during their undergraduate years.
The college provides financial assistance for a wide range of off-campus education programs, both foreign and local. Admission is competitive, and the college seeks applicants with academic success and a diverse array of extracurricular activities and interests.
About Carleton College
Carleton College is a prestigious private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, in the United States. The college was founded in 1866 and is known today for its strong academic programs and its active campus life. It awards degrees in more than 30 distinct academic disciplines. The most popular fields of study include the social sciences, the physical sciences, biology, mathematics and statistics, and the performing and visual arts. The college works on a trimester schedule, and most students take three classes each term.
The classroom atmosphere encourages cooperation rather than competition, and the college places significant focus on contact between students and instructors.
If you study here, you will find an abundance of chances to take part in research. The work is interesting and relevant across a wide range of academic fields. Undergraduate students frequently work with faculty members on research papers and present their findings at regional, national, and even international conferences. The college has over 200 professors, and it takes pride in a low student-to-faculty ratio that gives each student individual attention. Over two hundred student organizations are open to you.
They span academic interests, cultural and racial initiatives, gender and sexuality affinity groups, service organizations, and many more.
The campus covers a total area of 1,040 acres. Of those, 880 acres form the arboretum devoted to the study of conservation and the environment. You have a supportive setting in the town of Northfield. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are less than an hour's drive away. That distance gives you access to the metropolitan conveniences and possibilities of those cities. Over seventy percent of students go abroad for at least one semester during their undergraduate years.
The college provides financial assistance for a wide range of off-campus education programs, both foreign and local. Admission is competitive, and the college seeks applicants with academic success and a diverse array of extracurricular activities and interests.
Carleton College faculties and programs
Africana Studies
American Studies
Art History
Asian Studies
Biology
Chemistry
Cinema & Media Studies
Classics
Cognitive Science
Computer Science
Carleton College scholarships and financial aid
Carleton College offers a number of scholarship programs to international students. These include the Starr Scholarship Program, offered through a grant from the Starr Foundation, the Kellogg Scholarship Program, and the George Scholarship Program. Please note that financial aid and scholarships for students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are limited. Awards are based on both exceptional qualifications and demonstrated need.
To apply for a Starr Scholarship, complete an application for admission to Carleton or the Common Application, and request consideration for financial aid. For the George and Kellogg scholarships, you need only complete the application for admission and request consideration for financial aid.
Carleton College Exam Requirements
Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.
How to get into Carleton College
If you are an international student who wishes to apply for an undergraduate program at Carleton College, you must meet the admission requirements below.
- Completion of 12 Years of Basic Education
- 4-Year High School Diploma
- High Grade Point Average
- Official transcripts of the courses you took in 11th and 12th grade
- Standardized Test Scores (SAT or ACT)
- Certificate in English Proficiency
- A certificate in English proficiency from an internationally recognized proficiency test such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, or the Duolingo English Test.
- Personal Statement & Essay
Please note that academic qualifications from programs such as GCE A-Level, International Baccalaureate, and Advanced Placement are not sufficient for direct admission. Students within the scope of these programs can still request course credits in line with the courses they have taken.
If you are an international student who wishes to apply for a graduate program at Carleton College, you must meet the admission requirements below.
- 4-Year Bachelor's Degree Diploma
- High Grade Point Average
- Official transcripts of the courses you took during your university education
- Work experience may be required for certain programs
- Certificate in English Proficiency
- A certificate in English proficiency from an internationally recognized proficiency test such as IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT.
- A GRE or GMAT exam score may be required, in line with the specific admission requirements of certain programs.
Application Deadlines
* These dates are subject to change. Get in touch with our Dream Uni advisors to learn the up-to-date deadlines and all the details about the Carleton College application process.
Take a closer look at Carleton College
Carleton College is in the small city of Northfield, Minnesota. The campus is roughly 1,040 acres, and its residential, recreational, and academic facilities sit together in a scenic setting. One characteristic feature is the Cowling Arboretum, sometimes referred to as "the Arb." Teachers of environmental studies, biology, and geology use its 880 acres of nature preserve as a field trip location for their classes. The preserve also offers room for outdoor activities and sports, such as jogging, riding, and cross-country skiing.
The campus displays a wide range of architectural eras and trends, from historic to contemporary. About 30 significant facilities serve academics, housing, and other student activities. These include a music and performance hall, scientific buildings, art and humanities buildings, a library, a chapel, and sports and recreation facilities. The college also places considerable emphasis on being environmentally responsible. Green buildings, recycling initiatives, and renewable energy sources are some of the ways it works to lessen its influence on the surrounding environment.
When it comes to residential living, most students choose to live on campus, in housing options such as townhouses, cottages, and residence halls. The school's house system gives students a "home away from home" and adds to the strong sense of community on campus. The community of Northfield provides a setting that is secure as well as warm and inviting, with parks, shops, and restaurants. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is less than an hour's drive away, so you can reach a wide array of cultural and leisure events.
Student life at Carleton College is lively and full of interesting activities. The college is also known for building a close-knit community by encouraging students to join a wide variety of extracurricular activities and clubs. Most students choose to live on campus, in a dorm, a townhouse, or another type of residential housing. Residential life cultivates a sense of community and belonging, and many residence halls host their own activities and events through the academic year. A house system also gives you a sense of "home away from home" during your time at the university.
Over 200 student-run groups at Carleton cater to a wide range of academic and extracurricular pursuits. These can range from academic and professional organizations to groups focused on diversity and culture, special interest groups, performing arts groups, and sports clubs. These groups shape the culture of the campus and give students the chance to pursue their interests outside the academic setting.
Carleton College takes part in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and is a member of NCAA Division III. The college gives you the opportunity to play a variety of sports, such as baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and more. There are also a large number of chances to take part in intramural and club sports, even if you do not play on the varsity athletic teams.
Through the academic year the institution hosts a number of events, among them concerts, film screenings, guest lectures, and social activities. The annual Spring Concert is a well-known tradition that often features internationally recognized performers and has gained wide recognition over the years. The Cowling Arboretum, known more fondly as "the Arb," offers outdoor activities such as bird viewing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Students frequently gather in this natural location to unwind and take in the surrounding natural beauty.
A significant number of students spend at least part of their undergraduate experience studying in another country, through the many foreign programs offered by Carleton University. This gives them an opportunity to broaden their horizons and encounter a variety of cultures. The college strongly encourages students to take part in community service and outreach, in Northfield and in the surrounding areas. Community-based learning, internships, and volunteer work are all examples of this type of experience.
Carleton College has produced many notable alumni in various fields. Among its best known and most accomplished graduates are:
- Andrij Parekh
- Anthony Downs
- Ariel Fulmer
- Barbara Fredrickson
- Barrie M. Osborne
- Brian Freeman
- Brian Klaas
- Chris Kratt
- Clara Jeffery
- David Wright
- Dennis Meadows
- Donella Meadows
- E.G. Marshall
- Ernest Lundeen
- Fue Lee
- Garrick Utley
- Hal Higdon
- Jack Barnes
- Jack Carson
- Jacob J. Lew
- James W. Loewen
- Jane Elizabeth Hodgson
- Jane Hamilton
- Jimmy Chin
- Jonathan Capehart
- Kai Bird
- Karen Tei Yamashita
- Karl Earl Mundt
- Kimberly A. Clausing
- Laura Veirs
- Lincoln Child
- Lucian Pye
- Mary-Claire King
- Max Baucus
- Melvin Laird
- Michael H. Armacost
- Michael Saucedo
- Pamela Dean
- Parker Palmer
- Patricia Wrede
- Peter Tork
- Robert Kastenmeier
- Rush Holt Jr.
- Stephen E. Thorsett
- Susan Golding
- Thorstein Veblen
- Tom Nelson
- Veronica Roth
- Walter Alvarez
- Warren P. Knowles
- William Benton
Carleton College awards and achievements
- 6 Pulitzer Prize Winners
- 122 National Science Foundation Fellows
- 112 Fulbright Scholars
- 22 Watson Fellows
- 13 Goldwater Scholars
- 18 Rhodes Scholars
Carleton College Frequently Asked Questions
Carleton College Location
Northfield, MN, United States
Carleton College Contact
Carleton College
Take a Closer Look
How to Get Into Carleton College
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Why Carleton College?
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