Whenever I drive up to the twin cities to drop my son off at college at Macalester, I am reminded about what a wonderful place Minneapolis – St Paul is to go to college. It is no wonder there are so many colleges there. First, a word about the twin cities as a college town. The city is friendly and welcoming, there is tremendous diversity, it is bike friendly and a foodie and shopping heaven. As a winter playground, the twin cities and the state of Minnesota offer any number of diversions for the outdoor enthusiast. At Macalester (“Mac” as it is referred to by its students), it is not unusual for students to have bikes and cross-country skies in their rooms. Less than a mile from the Mississippi River and near a half dozen lakes, the cities are both beautiful and dynamic. Second, my thoughts about Mac. Mac is a unique and wonderful school. In my experience, It lives up to its reputation of attracting passionate, idealistic, sometimes quirky students who care about the world in which they live and are active participants in their educations. The students tend to be intellectual but also love to fun. The idyllic setting of Macalester equidistant between downtown St Paul and downtown Minneapolis gives the students a unique opportunity to take advantage of urban life both to supplement their classwork, obtain internships and jobs, and also to enjoy the diverse cultural offerings of these vibrant cities. Unlike many small liberal arts schools which tend to be somewhat isolated, Mac is anything but. The students take advantage of the urban neighborhood around Mac and many students move out of the dorms and into independent houses and apartments after sophomore year. Students also take advantage of the inexpensive and delicious ethnic restaurants and farmer’s markets near and far from campus. Overall, I think Mac is a wonderful place to be a student – as long as you are not deterred by winter. Mac is easy to get to. It is a short drive from the Minneapolis St Paul airport (MSP). The twin cities are also easily reachable by bus and Amtrak from many cities including Chicago. As a destination, the twin cities are always fun to visit. Just yesterday, I went to an amazing independent coffee shop, had the best Thai food I have ever had and visited Garrison Keillor’s bookstore, all walkable from Mac. For the student who wants the best of both worlds a small liberal arts college in a vibrant and interesting location, Mac is tops.
