{"id":33,"date":"2019-12-10T17:04:32","date_gmt":"2019-12-10T17:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/160-about\/?page_id=33"},"modified":"2026-01-21T20:28:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T20:28:16","slug":"why-macalester","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/why-macalester\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Macalester?"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"introduction block-container\" >\n    <div class=\"introduction__content\">\n    \t        \t<p class=\"introduction__copy\">At Macalester, we combine a close-knit, welcoming community with the benefits of being in the Minneapolis\/St. Paul metro area in Minnesota, a state where each person has the right to express their full human dignity. Macalester students come from 49 U.S. states and 107 countries for an academic program ranked among the top in the nation. Our philosophy of global citizenship and collaborative learning prepares students to have an outsized impact on the world.<\/p>\n    \t    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"context-image block-container context-image--right\" >\n    <div class=\"context-image__inner\">\n        <div class=\"context-image__image-column\">\n            <div class=\"context-image__image-wrapper\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"context-image__texture\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/images\/texture-context-image.png\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Aerial photo of the Macalester campus with Downtown Minneapolis in the background.\" class=\"context-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/191\/2019\/12\/location-amplifies.jpg\">\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"context-image__text-column\">\n            <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t        <span class=\"base-lockup__label\">The Twin Cities<\/span>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">Location amplifies everything<\/h2>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">The Twin Cities offer countless opportunities for Macalester students to actively engage in their education through community-based learning and real-world experiences.<\/p>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <div class=\"base-lockup__cta\">\n\t\t\t            <a class=\"base-cta-primary\" href=\"..\/twin-cities\/\" target=\"_self\">Our Location<\/a>\n\t\t\t        <\/div>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"statistic-group block-container\" >\n\t<div class=\"statistic-group__container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stats\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stat\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stat-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"statistic-group__stat-heading\">#28<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"statistic-group__stat-copy\">U.S. News Ranking among All Liberal Arts Colleges<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stat\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stat-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"statistic-group__stat-heading\">10:1<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"statistic-group__stat-copy\">Students to faculty members<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stat\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stat-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"statistic-group__stat-heading\">200+<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"statistic-group__stat-copy\">Internships within 8 miles radius<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"callout-video-player block-container\" >\n    <div class=\"callout-video-player__image-wrap\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/191\/2025\/02\/Gabe-Student-in-Describe-Macalester-video.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"callout-video-player__image\">\n        \t\t\t\t<modal-button\n    class=\"callout-video-player__button base-video-modal-button base-video-modal-button--default\"\n    modal-id=\"video-modal--23631918\"\n>\n\t\t    <discernible-content>Open Modal<\/discernible-content>\n\t\t    <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"base-video-modal-button__icon\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/svgs\/icon-play.svg\">\n\t\t<\/modal-button>\n\t\t<base-window-width tag=\"div\">\n\t\t    <template slot-scope=\"window\">\n\t\t        <modal-container\n\t\t            :mode=\"Math.sign(window.width - 768) === 1 ? 'show' : 'if'\"\n\t\t            modal-id=\"video-modal--23631918\"\n\t\t            class=\"base-video-modal\"\n\t\t        >\n\t\t            <div class=\"base-video-modal__video\">\n\t\t                <player-loader\n\t\t                    use-modal\n\t\t url=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/qY0VfShfqkA?si=mT5WqdSe0bDSdgYO\"\n\t\t                    player-id=\"video-modal--23631918\"\n\t\t                ><\/player-loader>\n\t\t            <\/div>\n\t\t            <template slot=\"modalButton\">\n\t\t                <discernible-content>Close Video<\/discernible-content>\n\t\t                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"base-video-modal-button__icon-close\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/svgs\/icon-close.svg\">\n\t\t            <\/template>\n\t\t        <\/modal-container>\n\t\t    <\/template>\n\t\t<\/base-window-width>\n        <div class=\"callout-video-player__lockup callout-video-player__lockup--desktop\">\n            <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">Describe Macalester<\/h2>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">It\u2019s tempting to ask, \u201cWhat\u2019s a typical Macalester student like?\u201d and we\u2019re proud that there isn\u2019t an answer to that question.<\/p>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"callout-video-player__lockup callout-video-player__lockup--mobile\">\n        <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n\t\t    \t\t    \t\t        <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">Describe Macalester<\/h2>\n\t\t    \t\t    \t\t        <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">It\u2019s tempting to ask, \u201cWhat\u2019s a typical Macalester student like?\u201d and we\u2019re proud that there isn\u2019t an answer to that question.<\/p>\n\t\t    \t\t    \t\t<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"callout-feature-text block-container\" >\n    <div class=\"callout-feature-text__inner\">\n        <div class=\"callout-feature-text__container\">\n            <div class=\"callout-feature-text__feature-wrapper\">\n                <div class=\"callout-feature-text__feature-card\">\n                    <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n                                                                            <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">STAY CONNECTED<\/h2>\n                                                                            <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">Don&#8217;t miss the latest news, admission deadlines, or stories about Mac students. Introduce yourself and let&#8217;s keep in touch.<\/p>\n                                            <\/div>\n                                            <div class=\"callout-feature-text__ctas\">\n                                                            <a class=\"base-cta-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/admissions\/request-information\/\" target=\"_self\">Request Information<\/a>\n                                                                                <\/div>\n                                     <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"context-image block-container context-image--left\" >\n    <div class=\"context-image__inner\">\n        <div class=\"context-image__image-column\">\n            <div class=\"context-image__image-wrapper\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"context-image__texture\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/images\/texture-context-image.png\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Students carrying various national flags at a Commencement ceremony.\" class=\"context-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/191\/2019\/12\/why-macalester-global.jpg\">\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"context-image__text-column\">\n            <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t        <span class=\"base-lockup__label\">Global Citizenship<\/span>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">A thriving campus for all<\/h2>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">Learning in an environment that draws students from around the world\u2014107 countries and 49 U.S. states\u2014makes discussions richer, deepens our understanding, and prepares students for life after college.<\/p>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <div class=\"base-lockup__cta\">\n\t\t\t            <a class=\"base-cta-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/life-at-mac\/global-community\/\" target=\"_self\">Global Community<\/a>\n\t\t\t        <\/div>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"context-image block-container context-image--right\" >\n    <div class=\"context-image__inner\">\n        <div class=\"context-image__image-column\">\n            <div class=\"context-image__image-wrapper\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"context-image__texture\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/images\/texture-context-image.png\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Student volunteering at a construction site.\" class=\"context-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/191\/2019\/12\/why-macalester-impact.jpg\">\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"context-image__text-column\">\n            <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t        <span class=\"base-lockup__label\">Outsized Impact<\/span>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">Dedicated to making a difference<\/h2>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">Service to society is an important part of Macalester\u2019s mission. Here, students actively collaborate with partners through community-based service, learning, and applied research.<\/p>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <div class=\"base-lockup__cta\">\n\t\t\t            <a class=\"base-cta-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/community-engagement\/\" target=\"_self\">Community Engagement<\/a>\n\t\t\t        <\/div>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"card-group block-container card-group--2\" >\n            <div class=\"card-group__header-container\">\n            <div class=\"card-group__header-inner\">\n                <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t        <span class=\"base-lockup__label\">Multicultural Life<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t        <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">Multiple perspectives build a more socially just world<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t        <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">The Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice helps Macalester students engage and respond to the complexities of the national and larger international community.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"card-group__cards-container\">\n                    <article class=\"card-group__card\">\n                                <div class=\"card-group__card-inner\">\n                    <h3 class=\"card-group__card-headline\">International Student Programs<\/h3>\n                    <p class=\"card-group__card-copy\">Supporting Macalester\u2019s international student body by helping  them reflect on their own identities, supporting their educational, regulatory, and personal development needs.<\/p>\n                    <div class=\"card-group__card-cta\">\n                        <a class=\"base-cta-secondary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/isp\" target=\"_self\">Learn About ISP<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>    \n                    <article class=\"card-group__card\">\n                                <div class=\"card-group__card-inner\">\n                    <h3 class=\"card-group__card-headline\">Multicultural Events<\/h3>\n                    <p class=\"card-group__card-copy\">Speakers, workshops, retreats, and programming are intentionally designed for connections, critical thinking, and affecting change.<\/p>\n                    <div class=\"card-group__card-cta\">\n                        <a class=\"base-cta-secondary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/life-at-mac\/multiculturalism\/\" target=\"_self\">Multiculturalism at Mac<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>    \n            <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"context-image block-container context-image--right\" >\n    <div class=\"context-image__inner\">\n        <div class=\"context-image__image-column\">\n            <div class=\"context-image__image-wrapper\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"context-image__texture\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/images\/texture-context-image.png\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Students in front of the Leonard Center on an autumn day.\" class=\"context-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/191\/2020\/01\/us-admissions-visit.jpg\">\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"context-image__text-column\">\n            <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">日韩精品 Macalester<\/h2>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">Interested in learning more about Macalester? Find the ways to experience our campus and get a better feel for what it\u2019s like to be a student here.<\/p>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <div class=\"base-lockup__cta\">\n\t\t\t            <a class=\"base-cta-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/visit\/\" target=\"_self\">日韩精品 Programs &amp; Tours<\/a>\n\t\t\t        <\/div>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"callout-quote block-container\" >\n    <div class=\"callout-quote__inner\">\n        <div class=\"callout-quote__container\">\n            <div class=\"callout-quote__image-column\">\n                <div class=\"callout-quote__image-wrapper callout-quote__image-wrapper--landscape\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\"\n                        src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/191\/2026\/01\/20250917_Jeremy-Allaire_0070-CC-1080x0-c-default.jpg\"\n                        alt=\"Photo of Jeremy Allaire\"\n                        class=\"callout-quote__image\"\n                    >\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"callout-quote__image-wrapper callout-quote__image-wrapper--portrait\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\"\n                        src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/191\/2026\/01\/20250917_Jeremy-Allaire_0070-CC-1080x0-c-default.jpg\"\n                        alt=\"Photo of Jeremy Allaire\"\n                        class=\"callout-quote__image\"\n                    >\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"callout-quote__text-column\">\n                <blockquote class=\"callout-quote__quote\">A liberal arts education is probably one of the best things in a world that&#8217;s confronting AI. We need really strong interdisciplinary thinking. We need deep perspective from a humanities perspective. We need strong reasoning skills. I&#8217;m a huge fan of a liberal arts education coming into this world.<\/blockquote>\n                <cite class=\"callout-quote__name\">Jeremy Allaire \u201993<\/cite>\n                                \t<cite class=\"callout-quote__title\">CEO and co-founder of Circle Internet Financial<\/cite>\n                                                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"callout-quote__ornament\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/svgs\/texture-quote.svg\">\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template_2020_level_2.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-33","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33"}],"version-history":[{"count":108,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3795,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33\/revisions\/3795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}