Grinnell College Top Questions

Grinnell is rigorous. Yes, I did the whole "International Baccalaureate/Honors" thing in high school, and it might have prepared me a little--but high school is still no comparison to this college. The good news is the professors are very interesting and approachable, and if you need help it is VERY available: all professors have long office hours outside of class, and the college pays for mentors and tutors in every subject. Sometimes, you will need that support.

The academics are, of course, very strong here. Popular majors are biology, English, economics, and political science. Classes are usually discussion-based, except for basic sciences which tend to be lectures. The largest class I've had has about 34 people in it, and it's one of the most popular classes here (Intro to Anthropology). There is a very collaborative environment here; students don't compete with each other, and most students study and go over homework in groups. Professors care deeply about their subjects and students in the vast majority of cases. There are a few bad professors, but that's bound to happen at any school. There aren't required classes, just divisional requirements, which means that students take classes because they really want to learn the subjects. I would recommend to every student to take Acting or Performance Studies sometime during their career, here or at any college. It's absolutely the best experience here I've had.

I feel good about the philosophy of its curriculum, free and open and stuff, never have to take a math class. However, I have severe issues with its implementation. Several teachers publically REFUSE to give As. Non-liberal students can get punished by liberal faculty. Classes are hard to get into unless your a darling of the school. I have heard stories of several teachers who are notoriously stingy graders. I used to get no less than A-s on my English papers, and now my average paper grade is around a B-. Students are often punished for voicing dissent in liberal curriculums (I got a D in sociology and know several others who had similar experiences). The work load is pretty intense, but not as much for non science folk. For the other departments, it's acceptable. Despite discouraging results, most professors know what they're talking about and care. Students love talking academics at all times

Grinnell students are usually laid-back and non-competitive, but unafraid to share an opinion and take it well outside of class.

Profs definitely know your name. I've taken wonderful classes in the anthropology department. The faculty is just amazing. Class participation is IMPERATIVE. Most are discussion based classes and you are definitely held responsible for having prepared the material before class. Grinnell students have intellectual convos outside of class for sure, but they also have goofy ones as well. Students are competitive against themselves, not against other students. Sabotage or things like that don't happen here. Grinnell's policy of open curriculum is great! Students are encouraged to explore disciplines and go outside their major/s. Education here is more for grad school than anything else, though there are a ton of students who join the Peace Corps or TFA after graduation.

I love the academic life at Grinnell. Classes are normally small and professors take the time to know your name and to make sure you know everyone else's name's. The focus on community starting in the classroom makes it much easier to continue the discussions outside of the classroom. I declared an Independent major, and the professors I declared with are partly the only reason I am able to study an obscure field such as Social Epidemiology. They are also a support system for me to bounce ideas off of, and get advise from when trying to shape and create my major. The professors at Grinnell constantly impress me, and I think the students help to mold and better the faculty that comes into the institution. Community and understanding is build throughout the system and I am very happy with how it functions in my academic life.

Academically, Grinnell is an excellent fit for students who are interested in full time learning. Students complain about the amount of homework, but since everyone has the same amount, there are lots of fun study breaks (organized by our SAs, who volunteer to community build on the floor they live on.) I’ve done all sorts of fun activities, like coloring and s’mores, board games and ginger bread houses, and one time my SA arranged for an international student to put henna on our hands! Another factor that balances out the amount of homework is the fact that it is very easy to get the classes you want, and the classes are always really interesting. I like to say, they have a “twist.” We don’t offer general courses, like American History 101. Instead, there is a “twist.” American history told through the eyes of the Native populations, American history in regards to our international policies, etc. Each class has the Grinnell “twist.” Homework is a lot easier to do when it is a class that is not only interesting, but a class you signed up for specifically. Grinnell is also known for having extremely intelligent professors, who are really there to teach. Although some may be working on other projects, every professor at Grinnell is dedicated to education. Professors will often meet one on one with students to check progress, approve essay topics, or to simply chat about topics that are relevant to the class and that interest the student. Professors invite students out for pizza or to their homes for a (much appreciated) home cooked meal. I have a friend who has developed a friendship with a professor that isn’t even for a course she is taking! They just found they had a lot in common, and wanted to talk about their interests.

Academics at Grinnell are v v demanding. Most of the students here are highly concerned about really doing well in class. Most are future PHDs

Make no mistake, the professors here are amazing. I never had a problem meeting with a professor; they made themselves very accessible and approachable, although they are simultaneously intimidating because of the superb intelligence that seems to cloak them like an aura. Class participation is generally required; no giant lecture halls here. The biggest class I enrolled in had 30 students. Grinnell students tend to love discussions and engage in them everywhere, all the time. Some of them are extremely entertaining.

Academics are challenging, rewarding, and fulfilling than I ever would have expected. Most everyone would say that it is tough, but I left the school having grown academically and having formed bonds with my professors that I will never forget. In my experience, I never heard or saw evidence of students competing with each other. In fact, I would not have made it through certain science classes had it not been for the generosity of my fellow students. Science students often work through homework assignments together, which raises the level of learning. Class participation at Grinnell is important to almost every professor. Professors at Grinnell are incredible. Every single prof knows every single student in his/her class and will go to considerble lengths to help. Students are encouraged to visit office hours. I have been to lunch multiple times with more than one of my professors. The biology department is fun, lots of cool profs who are generous with their time and always give you a smile and a hello in the hallways. There are also weekly biology seminars held for the department that are enthusiastically attended, where students and visiting professors share their work. Many departments have this sort of sense of solidarity with their fellow majors.