Macalester College
Location: St. Paul, MN (urban, large city)
Size: 2,244 students
Avg percent need-met: 100%
Acceptance rate: 31%
Middle 50% ACT: 29-33 **Test Optional**
Middle 50% SAT: 1360-1490 **Test Optional**
Macalester is, without doubt, an academic powerhouse. They emphasize internationalism, multiculturalism, and extracurricular involvement – and since it’s located in the Twin Cities, you have easy access to a wide variety of opportunities, including internships and volunteering. Despite being in a big city, the campus is small and tight-knit: accessible professors act as exceptional mentors, and students are excited to learn. All freshmen participate in a seminar that’s capped at 16 students, so you really get to know each other and your professor, which is a somewhat unique opportunity. The academic environment is challenging without feeling competitive.
Popular majors / known for: Mathematics, Biology, Political Science, International Studies
A list of all academic programs can be found here, but a few worth highlighting, include:
International Studies Major (one of Mac’s most well-known & popular academic programs!)
Creative Writing Major (scroll down -- a more traditional Literature path is also offered)
Academic approach: Liberal arts. Macalester has four pillars: academic excellence, multiculturalism, internationalism, and service
Campus tradition: As part of Founders Day celebrations every year, students*play a friendly game of Pushball on Macalester's Old Main Lawn
Check out campus photos here!
Information for international students
Macalester is 100% Need Met for all accepted students, including international students
Information on financial aid for international students can be found here
14% of students at Macalester are international students -- with 315 international students attending Macalester currently. Students are from 70+ different countries. More data can be found here and here.
International student programs are referenced here. The staff is very robust for International Student Programming and includes an immigration specialist. There are also around 6 students who work as program assistants in the office, and some of them are international students themselves.
Macalester hosts an international student pre-orientation program before the all-campus orientation program begins.
A super cool program Mac has is the International Student Programs Mentor Program where returning U.S. and international students serve as mentors to incoming international and domestic Ametrica participants. Ametrica is another super awesome program that promotes “dialogue, intercultural sensitivity, and friendship between first year domestic and international students.”
Additionally, there are some special interest housing opportunities that may be beneficial for international students.
Other fun traditions include: Country Spotlight, Talk and Tea, and Friends of Macalester International Students Host Family Program (students seem to really love this last option!)
Application Details
RD deadline: January 15th
Early Action deadline: November 1st
Supplemental essays: Yes
Application fee: $0
On Common App: Yes
CSS profile: Yes, due January 22nd
Interviews: Considered
School also featured in: Coaches Choice, Global Feel, Similar to Highly Selective - Brown, Urban Liberal Arts Colleges, LGBTQIA+ Affirming, Midwest Schools