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The Liberal Arts MINDSET

Ronnie talks about what being a liberal arts student is like at Carleton!

Ronnie talks about what being a liberal arts student is like at Carleton!

Admissions Blog The Liberal Arts MINDSET

As a senior, I have taken at least 33 classes worth 6-credits and soooo many worth 1-, 2- or 3-credits. It is rare that I have a term that I take two classes in the same department. Needless to say, I love the liberal arts. But what is it actually like being a liberal arts student? Well, I would say it’s less about the academics and more about the mindset.

Openness to Exploration

Picture of the nature in Duluth, MN
The scenery from a CANOE (Carleton Association for Nature and Outdoor Enthusiasts) trip during my freshman year. This was the midterm break trip to go camping in Duluth, MN!

If I had one word to describe the average Carl, it would be CURIOUS. From extracurricular activities to classes to random side quests, Carleton students are almost always down for an adventure, especially when it is an unexpected one. During my time, I have tried out many different clubs and academic disciplines. My personal favorites have been Sailing Club, Ballroom Dance, the Religion Department, and the SOAN Department. I do wish I had more time to continue exploring at Carleton. I swear, the biggest curse of college is that it only lasts 4 years.

Learning for the Sake of Learning

The small town of Wittenberg in Germany
Wittenberg, Germany (the place where Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses to a church door in 1517.) I spent 2 weeks in Germany and Austria exploring the connection between the Protestant Reformation, medicine and philosophy. This was funded by the Kuennecke Fellowship from Carleton’s German Department.

I think two-thirds of the courses I have taken at Carleton have been out of pure desire to learn more. The liberal arts give you the sake to learn about a lot of subjects that seem kind of random at times. It makes learning fun and gives you so many ways to continue learning. There are opportunities from study abroad programs to fellowships to on-campus research that allow you to continue exploring your interests. This love for learning might be why over 60% of students end up in graduate or professional school within 8 years after Carleton.

Desire to Grow

Two people stand at a podium
Myself and my coworker presenting about the Alumni Relations Office during New Student Week. (Sorry it is blurry, the audience was large!)

By exploring and learning so much, growth is inevitable. And I’ve found my peers, and I embrace it. Carleton and the liberal arts offer a safety net that really maximizes personal and academic growth with all the supports available.

If I could go back in time and repeat the college process, I would 1000% choose a liberal arts college again. There are so many academic subjects that I love that I would have never experienced if I had not gone to Carleton. I was able to explore the curriculum and still graduate on time, which is so awesome considering that it feels like I have taken more classes outside of my major than within it.

Ronnie (they/she/he) is a senior Biology major from Oak Park, IL. Outside of blogging, she is also an Admissions tour guide and a Student Ambassador for Alumni Relations. You can usually find them in Cowling Gymnasium with the Ballroom Dance Team, practicing for the next competition or chatting with teammates. They also have very strong opinions about food on campus (especially LDC eggs and Burton fried tofu). She is also the commodore of Carleton’s sailing club and a DJ for KRLX, the student run radio station.

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