Grinnell College Top Questions

If, in a Groundhog Day-like scenario, I awoke tomorrow to find myself two years in the past, I would make the same choice about which college to attend, but I would make that choice for different reasons. Grinnell College wasn't my first chioce - it was the best option left open to me when other schools didn't offer me enough financial aid. In retrospect, however, I don't think I would have been happy there. I was so blinded by the excitement of possibly attending an Ivy League school that I forgot to take my own emotions into account. I was so eager to strike out on a new adventure that I forgot to consider all the things that tie me to my home in the Midwest. Grinnell is much closer to home and also has very long breaks that make travel a viable option. In summary, therefore, my advice to my high school senior self would be: "Don't get so caught up in what you think you should want that you forget what you actually need."

Relax and enjoy yourself-things will work out as long as you put forth effort. Make sure to talk to people who are made available to you through the schools that you are interested in-interviews with alumni can be as simple as meeting at a coffee shop! They really help with your admission possibilities and figuring out if their school is a good fit for you, too. Don't limit your options because of previously conceived notions of the 'attitude' of a college or ideas you have about your own ability to be accepted into a school. Apply anyways. You will get rejection or wait-listings. This doesn't mean that you won't get in anywhere, so don't worry about that until you have to. Try as hard as you can to get scholorships, simply being smart doesn't mean you'll get money anymore. Look at all the little quirks in your family. Does someone work for a vending machine company? There's a scholorship for that. Is an Aunt from another country? There's a scholorship for that too. Do your research, apply early, but leave time for your friends. Things are changing.

I would have focused less on the numbers and statistics and more on the overall feel of the college. I had created countless excel spreadsheets with average SAT scores, percent accepted, teacher to student ratio, etc. But I didn't focus, I feel, enough on the overall impression of the colleges. I only got to visit the colleges once, and some for only a few hours since they were all so far away from home. I should have spoken to current students and asked for their impression of their school. I would have browsed the libraries, eaten in the cafeteria, and (if possible) spent the night at each school. Also, when it comes to choosing a college out of 12 very similar schools, sometimes you have to go with your gut feeling. Go with the school the just feels the best. Take into consideration the party scene, how hard the students study, what there is to do in town and on campus, and what kind of opportunities are there for you while still in school and after. To tell you a secret, once I got to campus, SAT scores, GPAs, all that stuff didn't matter any more.

To be more active in school activities so I can be more confident in myself and able to approach any person without being afraid. I will also tell myself to read and write a lot because it will make writing papers easier and to read all the material in little time. To improve on adding more vocabulary to be able to sound more sophisticated on my papers and when participating in class. To keep track of everything I do to be able to make a great resume that's representative of what I have done in college.

Dear High School Senior Self, Make sure that you choose the best school for you! Do not let family and friends influence your decision because of distance, legacy, scholarships, etc. It is important that you go to the best school for you, because that is where you will be happy and excel. Make sure to visit, and if you can bring a parent with you. They can offer different insights about the campus and the student body. Get your applications in early and interview! The earlier you submit your application, the more interested you seem in that school. Interviews are very important because they give you the chance to talk about everything that is not included in the application. Do not to lock yourself into a major or career path your first semester, because your plans will change many times. Pursuing a variety of interests is a much better idea than directing your first semester toward a major that you will probably change your mind about. Most importantly, senior year does matter! Keep working hard because college is so much better than high school could ever be! Love, College Sophomore Self

Briel talks about how to get into Grinnell College and expands on ideas from the WSJ talk, specifically: being well-rounded vs. focused in your extra curricular activities, class rank and grades, interviewing, applying Early Decision and Financial Aid

Keep an open mind. You'll see things that you may not be comfortable with, you'll meet people you normally wouldn't, and you'll be pushed to think things you never would expect. Go with the flow! College is a time of learning--not just about the Comanche Empire, Walt Whitman, or diferentiation--you learn about yourself. Test your limits in every aspect of college life. You will be able to find who you are in an environment that (I promise) will support you. Never, ever, regret not doing something. (By that same token, don't do something that you will obviously regret.) And have fun. If you get stressed, you can always find support and cookies. I'd recommend the chocolate chip walnut.

Current Grinnell students talk about how to stay healthy at school, how the school prepares for flu season, and how they are dealing with the swine flu epidemic

Finding the right college begins with finding a school that feels like a comfortable size for you. Think about things like how closely you want to relate with your professors and classmates. From my experience the amount of interaction is increased exponentially at a small school, but this is obviously not for everyone. Secondly, you should look to see the kinds of services, activies, and facilities the campus has to offer, and see if they fulfill your interests and needs socially and academically. Thirdly, your experience on campus and interactions with current students must feel positive. A campus visit is absolutely essential. It helped me make my decision because more than any of the things on paper, it felt right. If money is an issue with the school you have decided is the best match for you do everything in your power to make it happen. You can never do too much hunting, and while giving up is easier and takes less time, you don't want the decision to settle for something else to haunt you. Of course your college experience is really what you decide to make it, but why not start with something that feels right?

My advice for parents and students comes from a meddling old man. As any AP Literature student knows, in Hamlet Polonius gives his son, Laertes, a flurry of advice, including, "To thine own self be true." This is utter hyprocrisy coming from Polonius, who sends spies after his son while he's gone (any parent contemplating this should think of the old man's eventual fate), but the sentiment serves any future collegian well. Myriad factors weigh in during the college search, but forget about the one that so many people put first on the list-prestige. Think instead about yourself and what you like to do, socially AND academically, then look for the school that will allow you to do those things. A school tailored to your personality will make your college years so much more enjoyable than a school tailored for a high ranking in a magazine. However, I caution you not to choose a school that will not challenge you and force you to think new thoughts and meet new, different people, for such experiences are indeed the essence of the college experience. Leave your comfort zone, but make sure your school allows you to have one!