Carleton Liberal Arts Experience

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The 2025 CLAE Application is Open

Deadline for applications is March 28

The Carleton Liberal Arts Experience (CLAE) is a week-long summer program for high school juniors June 25 – July 2, 2025. The curriculum explores African American history, identity, and contemporary culture through the framework of a liberal arts education. It’s designed for Black and African American students and those interested in African American studies. The free program provides exposure to highly rigorous, college-level coursework within the unique style of education found only at liberal arts colleges like Carleton.

Program Details

CLAE is a free program made possible by generous Carleton alumni who are dedicated to advancing liberal arts education within the Black/African American community.

We invite applications from juniors who possess a strong academic record, are intellectually curious, and socially engaged.

CLAE is interdisciplinary, featuring courses in the humanities, arts, and STEM through the lens of African American studies. The program also prepares students for the college search, application process, and thriving at elite colleges.

Each CLAE cohort is comprised of 52 scholars from all across the U.S. Admission to the program is highly selective.

Scholars experience life at Carleton including living in the dorms and eating in the dining halls. Mentorship is a highlight of the program. Current Carleton students who are engaged in the Black/African American community provide guidance and leadership to CLAE Scholars throughout the week.

The schedule includes a survey of four distinct courses taught by leading professors, college prep workshops led by professional Carleton staff members, and community building activities. All costs related to housing, food, and transportation are covered by Carleton.

Recent CLAE course offerings include:

- The African American Experience
- What We Don’t Know We “Know”: Pop Culture and the Distortion of Reality
- Religion and the Black Freedom Struggle
- DNA Fingerprinting: The Science of Forensics

Recent college application workshop offerings include:

- Carleton 101
- The College Essay
- Admissions Case Study
- Your College Options
- College Essay Feedback

CLAE Scholars are supported by Carleton faculty members, admissions staff, and current Carleton students. It is a great way to meet other students from across the country and to get a sense of what a liberal arts education is like.

Who should apply?

Students who identify as Black or African American, or who have an interest in African American culture, are encouraged to apply. We’re looking for academic excellence, investment beyond the classroom in activities, talent, or work, and a desire to engage with values of diversity and inclusion.

At Carleton, students love to learn and enjoy challenging their intellectual capacity. It’s fueled by deep curiosity and desire to make an impact. Applicants should embody these characteristics.

The 2025 CLAE application closes at 11:59pm ET on March 28.

Eligibility: Interested high school juniors (US citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented/DACA students living in the US).

Apply Now!

Application Components

- A current transcript
- At least one letter of recommendation from an academic teacher
- Information about extracurricular activities or a resume
- Two short essays

Prior to CLAE, I had never been surrounded by so many self-motivated, tenacious, and gifted students. CLAE truly exposed me to a part of myself that I had never known.
Peter Uwalaka '07

CLAE Scholar '01, Carleton College '07, Harvard University Graduate School of Education '10

"I am applying to Carleton because I appreciate what the school has done for me. My first trip to Minnesota was for CLAE and it was my very first flight alone. It was one of the greatest opportunities I've been given."
DeLante Blagburn '23

Greenville, SC

"I was excited to experience liberal arts, and during my stay on campus I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved how engaged everyone was during the seminars, expressing well thought out opinions and ideas while also actively listening to what others had to say."
Javin White '20

Bowie, MD

"CLAE is where it all started for me. I attended the program with 49 other African American students and fell in love with the school...I felt like I belonged on campus."
Brittany Deweaver '20

Oakland, CA

Carleton Liberal Arts Experience

The 2025 CLAE Application is Open

Program Details

Who should apply?

Application Components

CLAE is one of several on-campus access programs.

Contact Information