would hope there are many institutions that are trying to achieve the same goal we are. If you’re looking at small national liberal arts colleges like Carleton, students get a little more flavoring across a variety of subjects because of our trimester structure and more students get an opportunity to go abroad. Our being on trimesters is not actually unique but there is a difference in the academic experience.
What are parents and students overlooking when they prepare and apply for college?
What I find is that I think some students and parents don’t really understand that financial aid can work to cover most expenses if the family really can’t afford it. That precludes some from looking at expensive places like we are. And there’s both a disbelief and a non-trust. If we admit you, we want to make it possible for you to come. The other thing I think they overlook [is] the value of a small liberal arts college. They get caught up with all the opportunities they see in universities and don’t understand the flipside. There are too many students who don’t understand that they can put their best foot forward and represent that well on an application.