Grinnell College Top Questions

Students seem politcally active. Grinnell is really accepting of people who identify themselves as LGBT. Grinnell students are generally laid back about clothing, you won't see that many name brands.

There were some issues with hate attacks on certain members of our (large) queer community, but the campus overwhelmingly responded in defense of those students, with rallies, speeches, and signs advocating love all over campus. Most student groups aren't built along definitive borders, though; anyone's welcome, and the groups interact a lot. It's hard to describe financial backgrounds as they don't come up in conversation all that much--many people have large financial aid packages, and many don't. In the left-leaning, almost hippie-like environment that is liberal arts, most of us have accepted that we'll be poor, so we give our attention to more important things.

Grinnell students are genunine, interesting, involved, highly inteligent people who want to work to make the world a better place. I've made so many life-long friends. Friendships at Grinnell are so much deeper than the frienships I've seen at state schools because Grinnell attracts a very unique student--someone who's driven, motivated, and eager to be the best they can be in a challenging, socially-conscious environment. Grinnell students come from all over the US and all over the world. We are about 11{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} international and 15{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} multicultural. I do, however, wish Grinnell was more diverse racially and ethnically because if you're a white American, it's intirely possible to surround yourself only with friends who look just like you--and that doesn't really broaden your horizons much. But, Grinnell is more diverse than some other schools in terms of sexual orientation--which I love! Grinnell students are much more open about their sexuality than many other institutions' students are. I think this is because Grinnell makes a big effort to be an accepting environment toward all. Grinnell students come from every socio-economic backgrounds. Although there are lots of wealthy students, they aren't the type of wealthy students you'd meet at an Ivy League school. You wouldn't know right off the bat that they were rich, and you don't need a lot of money at Grinnell to have fun. No one's ever talking about private jets, beach houses, or family investments. People at Grinnell love you for you and not for how much money you have. A student who cares a lot about appearances, money, and social status would definitely be out of place at Grinnell. A student who isn't interested in intellectual conversations would also be out of place at Grinnell. Most Grinnellians wear jeans to class although in the Spring and Summer it's common for girls to wear casual skirts or dresses. Normally, people don't really dress up for class, and girls who frequently wear heels to class are out of place. T-shirts are really common. Basically, appearance isn't a huge priority for Grinnellians. It's more about what you have to say. Students at Grinnell are very politically aware and active. Not everyone is up on all the latest world events, but most people are at least interested. Because Grinnell is located in Iowa, presidential politics are big and nearly everyone is interested in the political theater that is the Iowa caucus. Most students are left of center, but if you aren't, you'll still be able to find people who match your political views, you'll just have to look a LOT harder. Grinnellians don't talk about how much money they'll earn one day. Instead, they talk about how much they'll make a difference. Lots of Grinnellians work with non-profits or corporations that are socially responsible. Don't expect to get a degree at Grinnell and become a millionare. Grinnell opens your eyes to the plights of the real world and you can't help but want to improve some little part of that world once you leave Grinnell.

Everyone here seems to dress to whatever they want to wear; whether it be no shoes in the dead of winter or PJs 24-7.

The campus is hyper-sensitive to a lot of issue. Students react very strongly to any kind of discrimination and almost feel a bit like bigot. They stick well together as a community, but it gets annoying and feel very restrictive some time if you happen to lie outside of the norm. I still remember wearing a hammer&sickle t-shirt one day, then finding an entire article in the school's paper repremanding me... The democrats are extremely vocal and pretends like they're the only people on campus--but they're not. There are a lot of Republicans. And a good deal of people actually lean more toward socialism too.

Again, Grinnell's student body is incredibly open-minded and accepting. There are many groups dedicated to diversity--racial, sexual, ... anything you can imagine. I don't know how many people would feel out of place at Grinnell... it seems that everyone has a place somewhere. Students wear whatever to class. It isn't uncommon to see several people in pajamas, some in jeans, some in nicer clothes... there isn't one right way to dress, as long as you're comfortable. There are way more than four tables in the dining hall... although usually athletes eat together, it is by no means a closed community or selective group. I have never played a varsity sport at Grinnell but am still good friends with many members of the volleyball, basketball, football and cross country teams and would feel perfectly comfortable sitting with them for meals.

We are very liberal and supportive of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, etc.

Students here are from all over the world and have about just as many different points of view. Everyone here is very accepting and everyone can find friends here. The culture shock of being in a small town is hard for some people to deal with but for the most part, things turn out alright. I found that students at Grinnell tend to dress nicer than I did at home and that encouraged me to dress nicer on a daily basis though I still pull out my trusty jeans and a t-shirt now and then and do not fell out of place. Students are very poitically active and aware though if you do not want to talk about politics or just do not like them in general that is fine. There are a lot of wealthy people at Grinnell but I certainly am not and it does not really make a difference in who my friends are or what I do.

The student body is diverse and has overcome most of the cliques that form in your traditional high school. Grinnell doesn't have sororities or frats, but you can apply for "project houses". Frisbee house, Eco house, Debate house, German house, these are all just a few examples of what Grinnell offers. Most Students live in the dorms on campus and this is really conducive to building that campus community within self governance mentioned earlier. Grinnell is incredibly supportive of students of all races, ethnic groups, genders, and lifestyles and the school is constantly working to improve awareness for these groups both on campus and in the community.

The student body collectively is very active in any number of racial, religious, LGBT, political (etc) organizations. We're all very passionate about what we choose to support. Also, we're all quite friendly. It's cliche, but most of the time, campus is covered in smiley people (unless it's finals week, of course). Oh yeah, and as far as political position goes, most of us here are enthusiastic Liberal Democrats, but Republicans and Conservatives also have a voice on campus.