Choosing to go to Antioch, a small, rebuilding liberal arts college that is smaller than the United States Senate, is like choosing the road less taken. It deviates from the traditional, conventional notions of what college is supposed to mean to an individual. Here at Antioch, education aims to prepare an individual for the practical world of work, competition, and challenge, with refined world views and broadened skills.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Be really mindful of the fact that Antioch is an unconventional college in an atypical situation at an atypical time. Also consider that Antioch does run year-round. One thing that is expected of any Antioch student is grit - the persistence, the right confidence, the courage to face challenges and strive for some victory for humanity. But because Antioch has such atypical circumstances and unconventional deviations from the mainstream college system because of said circumstances, it may not be the right fit for every student seeking to go to college. One's choice to go to Antioch and accept both its offers and its challenges will largely depend on (1) what one seeks to get from college and (2) what one believes college is really supposed to mean in this day and age.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
In some ways, it is not unlike a typical classroom environment with the usual homework, lectures, and readings, but in other ways, it's far different from the typical colleges with 10,000+ students. With such a small class size, discussions are far more active, open, and genuinely interesting, and learning becomes far more individualized.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
It is absolutely wonderful, and even absolutely wonderful is rather of an understatement. It is comfortable and convenient, and literally invokes the idea of a home away from home. People enjoy socializing in the common areas every day and every night.
As of 2012, there are only two dorm buildings: one for the second-year students and one for the first-year students (with few exceptions, but that is generally the case for all intents and purposes). Rooming in the dorms will shift as students go to and return from their co-op jobs.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Most, if not all, of our food is grown from our local farm. We harvest our own vegetables. We use our chickens for eggs, and we also use our chickens for chicken....
The food is absolutely delicious, and on top of that, healthy as well. Vegans and vegetarians are very much pleased.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
In my class (class of 2016), when we aren't studying, doing homework, doing laundry, or catching up on sleep, we have people playing Magic, playing video games, watching Japanese anime, watching other movies, going out to Yellow Springs, playing instruments, reciting poetry, knitting, going out exercising, going out shopping, playing ping pong, completing puzzles in the library, and many other things people like to do in their spare time with other people. There is no limit to the fun activities we can do (granted that they are within campus safety policies, of course).
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Antioch's library has some of the oldest texts and works in the world, and is a really wonderful place for studying. There is practically another library within the library (underground). Along with the usual books, there are countless archives, old tapes, and even some reel-to-reel recordings.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
You will definitely like it here if you are:
-An introvert (Everyone gets along so well and is so open. You will no longer feel like the introvert you once were. Natural extraverts do enjoy their time here as well.)
-One who leans left on the political spectrum
-One who is uncertain of going to a conventional college
-One who is really interested in liberal arts and social justice
Choosing to go to Antioch, a small, rebuilding liberal arts college that is smaller than the United States Senate, is like choosing the road less taken. It deviates from the traditional, conventional notions of what college is supposed to mean to an individual. Here at Antioch, education aims to prepare an individual for the practical world of work, competition, and challenge, with refined world views and broadened skills.
Be really mindful of the fact that Antioch is an unconventional college in an atypical situation at an atypical time. Also consider that Antioch does run year-round. One thing that is expected of any Antioch student is grit - the persistence, the right confidence, the courage to face challenges and strive for some victory for humanity. But because Antioch has such atypical circumstances and unconventional deviations from the mainstream college system because of said circumstances, it may not be the right fit for every student seeking to go to college. One's choice to go to Antioch and accept both its offers and its challenges will largely depend on (1) what one seeks to get from college and (2) what one believes college is really supposed to mean in this day and age.
In some ways, it is not unlike a typical classroom environment with the usual homework, lectures, and readings, but in other ways, it's far different from the typical colleges with 10,000+ students. With such a small class size, discussions are far more active, open, and genuinely interesting, and learning becomes far more individualized.
It is absolutely wonderful, and even absolutely wonderful is rather of an understatement. It is comfortable and convenient, and literally invokes the idea of a home away from home. People enjoy socializing in the common areas every day and every night. As of 2012, there are only two dorm buildings: one for the second-year students and one for the first-year students (with few exceptions, but that is generally the case for all intents and purposes). Rooming in the dorms will shift as students go to and return from their co-op jobs.
Most, if not all, of our food is grown from our local farm. We harvest our own vegetables. We use our chickens for eggs, and we also use our chickens for chicken.... The food is absolutely delicious, and on top of that, healthy as well. Vegans and vegetarians are very much pleased.
In my class (class of 2016), when we aren't studying, doing homework, doing laundry, or catching up on sleep, we have people playing Magic, playing video games, watching Japanese anime, watching other movies, going out to Yellow Springs, playing instruments, reciting poetry, knitting, going out exercising, going out shopping, playing ping pong, completing puzzles in the library, and many other things people like to do in their spare time with other people. There is no limit to the fun activities we can do (granted that they are within campus safety policies, of course).
Antioch's library has some of the oldest texts and works in the world, and is a really wonderful place for studying. There is practically another library within the library (underground). Along with the usual books, there are countless archives, old tapes, and even some reel-to-reel recordings.
You will definitely like it here if you are: -An introvert (Everyone gets along so well and is so open. You will no longer feel like the introvert you once were. Natural extraverts do enjoy their time here as well.) -One who leans left on the political spectrum -One who is uncertain of going to a conventional college -One who is really interested in liberal arts and social justice