Macalester College

Why Mac?
Macalester College is one of very few selective liberal arts colleges located in the heart of a major metropolitan area. Students at Mac live out the college mission of academic excellence, internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society by embracing interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. They are curious, highly motivated, serious about their academic pursuits, and supportive of each other; being more likely to work together for collective academic success than to compete.

Vibrant Cities
Academic, social, spiritual, community, and professional endeavors are all amplified by Macalester’s location in the Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. It’s here too, where students advocate for better policies and participate in social movements that shape our world.

Within five blocks of Macalester, there are at least twenty restaurants, eight coffee houses, five places of worship, two bookstores, a tea shop, movie theater and stores for art supplies, flowers, bike repairs, pharmacies, and music, as well as Ace Hardware, Breadsmith, Jamba Juice, Patagonia, Whole Foods and more. Many faculty and staff live on the winding streets adjacent to campus. Minneapolis and St. Paul are also known as two of the best biking cities, with numerous scenic bike paths.

Being in the heart of a metropolitan area allows for over 50 courses to readily partner with organizations in the Twin Cities. Example classes include Legislative Politics, where students intern as legislative aides in the nearby Minnesota State Capitol; Community Psychology and Public Health, in which students engage in off-campus shadowing opportunities; and Drama: Theater and Politics, which incorporates theatrical performances in multiple Twin Cities theaters including the world-class Guthrie Theater.

The Student Experience
Every Macalester student takes a First Year Course (FYC) in their first semester. Seminar-style FYCs are limited to 16 students and the professor is the academic advisor for each student in the class. FYCs set the stage for an academic journey based on small classes, individual attention, and collaboration.

Contributing to long-lasting friendships and a sense of community, there are over 100 student organizations available. They reflect the diverse interests of our students and range in focus from art, chess, comedy, consulting, culture, dance, gaming, investing, Mac radio station, and Model United Nations, to music, politics, Quiz Bowl, religion, rocketry, slam poetry, software development, and ultimate frisbee. Macalester has 19 varsity athletic teams as well as club and intramural sports. Most varsity teams compete in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The Macalester Community
Macalester students come from more than 90 countries and all 50 states. More than 60% of students study abroad for 15 weeks or more, providing time for substantial experience and learning in another culture. The United Nations flag has flown over campus since 1950, a symbol of Macalester's commitment to world peace and understanding.

Alumni include Kofi Annan ’61 who became Secretary-General of the United Nations and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Fred Swaniker ‘99 who founded the African Leadership Academy and was named one of 2019’s 100 most influential people by Time Magazine, Tim O’Brien ’68, acclaimed author of The Things They Carried, actress and playwright Danai Gurira ’01 whose roles include Okoye in Black Panther, Avenger: Endgame and Michonne in The Walking Dead, and Walter Mondale ’50 who served as Vice President of the United States.
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