Grinnell College Top Questions

I love Grinnell! It is such a strange phenomenon. Everyone here is really talented. Everyone here is smart, and it is so different from my high school... the student population is so diverse considering that we're in the middle of Iowa. Something I will never forget is when I came to Grinnell for the first time, and I saw a student riding a campus bike to class without shoes, and dreadlocks down to his butt... I was hooked! Not everyone is that extreme, but the opportunity to be extreme is there... and acceptance is everywhere!

Small town, not much to do outside of campus, campus is really tight, friendly with most everybody, there's always construction- without that, campus is beautiful for a week in fall and a week in spring, but for the most part the weather is crazy

Grinnell is perfect if you want to do anything other than theatre or dance (professionally).

For me the best thing about Grinnell would have to be all the accomadating factors, i.e. smaller classroom size and approachable people to help me with my studies. Because a main reason I am here is because of my studies i like to know that i can get help when having problems. The location is decent and although the winters are not that friendly, to me smaller is better as far as relations with those around you. When I talk to people about where I go to school they are a little suprised because I come from a place a bit larger and where few people would probably consider going anywhere but the community college back home. Its a big step and risk but I took it, and here I am :).

I think one phrase that accurately sums up Grinnell is "we work hard and play hard." The academics are very challenging, which forces students to study a lot during the week, but when the weekend rolls around, there are many parties and on campus activities. You will have to participate in activities and parties over the weekend. The college town is small, with not much to do, but the administration provides us with lots to do on campus. I can never find a time when I'm bored. The college also provides weekend shuttles to Des Moines and Iowa City, allowing students to enjoying a larger city for the day.

I am a football player, so naturally I would like a larger school so we could have more in attendance. As a football player, I am always looked to first if something has been broken or something wrong has been done. I would change the school's perception of a "jock." For the most part I like the self-governance, but I do not like the no tolerance of violence on this campus. It causes kids to be able to say what ever they would like publicly, humiliating who ever they choose without fear of consequence. I spend most my time on the fotball field, weight room, and in the class room.

Grinnell is incredible. My favorite aspect about Grinnell is the welcoming atmosphere. I truly believe that anyone could feel at home here because everyone is so kind and open.

Grinnell is a place of personal interaction. The small class sizes allow you to have a lot of discussion and one on one time with the students and the teachers. If you take the initiative professors will help you to do well in classes. I spend most of my time at the athletic centers since I play baseball, and they are very nice to have. I wouldn't say that there is a ton of support for the baseball team since the school is more academic oriented. To wrap it up in one phrase, "at Grinnell there is no limit".

It requires a particular type of person to have Grinnell be a "perfect fit". This person can't be looking for a large school with an active town and spend most of their time socializing and partying. They can't be bothered that almost no one has even heard of their school of choice and will nearly always ask where it is. They have to be generally accepting of people for who they are, no matter what that may be. And, very importantly, they can't be bothered by being in the tumultuous Iowan climate. Grinnell is a small school in a small town, but the adminstration and students do their best to bring the outside world to Grinnell. A large portion of campus will know who you are, so anonymity is very, very difficult to maintain. The student body is generally very accepting and friendly, but there are only about 1300 of us.

The best thing about Grinnell is self governance.