Denison University is an exceptional private liberal arts college in Granville, Ohio. Although the campus is small, the diversity of both students and academics makes the university a perfect match for students, who are looking to create an intellectual legacy as well as make a number of diverse friends and future professional contacts. With a high priority on academics as well as an equal commitment to providing hundreds of opportunities for campus involvement, Denison is truly a stand-out university.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Since my acceptance to the college, Denison has steadily increased its acceptance rate, with this last year (2012) representing the largest incoming class ever on campus. This is great news for prospective students, as Denison is providing more chances than ever at being accepted. Just be sure to keep up your grades. While Denison doesn't limit its incoming population to 4.0 students and national merit finalists, it does provide incredible merit based financial aid to those who qualify. Not a straight A student? No problem. Denison really takes each application into account to look for students, who represent a diversity of backgrounds and the potential to excel. Just note that once you come to Denison, you will be challenged academically, but if you were accepted to the university, that means you are one of the students who is likely to excel in such an environment.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
While not every class is an ivy-league clone, many classes (particularly in the social sciences and languages) are very academically challenging. You move through the material very quickly and are expected to actively contribute in every class. The class sizes are very small (average 15 students, although this may change as Denison's population grows), and you are expected to do quite a bit of reading to prepare for each class. Also, no matter what your major, you will be expected to write papers. In my experience, my papers were anywhere from 5 to 25 pages in length, with my senior research landing around 50. Finally, exams are almost always cumulative. However, many classes provide the opportunity to gain a large portion of points throughout the semester (downside, this means a lot of homework), so you have a safety net of sorts when you get to the final.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
I lived in several different types of housing in my four years at Denison, and I liked them all. My first year I was in a freshman only dorm (a practice at Denison), which was great because I got to know a lot of the members of my class. Sophomore and junior year I lived in a Victorian style house that was open to honors students (now summer research students) and only had 9 other people in my dorm. Finally, senior year I lived in an on-campus apartment with three other seniors. Overall housing is great. The housing lottery is a little bit of a nightmare (which is why I gave housing 4 instead 5 stars), although they are getting better.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Honesty was my priority filling this review out, so to keep up with the honest answers, I have to say dining is Denison's weakness. I'll still give it three stars because over my four years I saw improvement in the diversity (and quality) of food in the dining halls. Also, Denison has Slayter Union, which has several snack bars, a pizza hut, a deli, and a grill line if you don't feel like eating in the dining halls. Slayter even provides Meal Exchange, which allows you to eat a meal (sandwich or other dinner item, two sides, a large drink, and desert) for free (as part of the meal plan) every day.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
For being a small campus, Denison has an unusual amount of clubs to join. If you have an odd interest, chances are Denison has a club for that. What is more, if you are interested in something that is not currently sponsored by the campus, it is relatively simple to get your group approved by DCGA, which can even provide you funding for events. Other than clubs, Denison also has a movie night tradition, where we screen recently released films out on the commons. If movies aren't your thing, there are also plenty of sport and music ensembles. Basically, you name it, we've got it.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Denison is expensive; there is no doubt about it. However, the quality of academics, diversity of faculty, opportunity for campus involvement, and post-Denison resources are well worth the cost. What is more, Denison provides great financial aid packages (both merit and need based). All that being said, it is definitely worth your money to double major at Denison. Many majors do not require as many classes for the major as others, and if you are already interested in diverse areas of study, double majoring is a great way to exchange the cost of Denison with a greater opportunity for a job in the future.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
For unusual traditions: out of respect (and now superstition) no one on campus walks over the university seal in front of Swasey Chapel. Also, practically everyone on campus eats at Whit's - a frozen custard shop down in the nearby village of Granville (within walking distance).
As for unusual locations on campus: Denison is an old college (around since 1831) and has two cemeteries on campus grounds.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Denison is great for students who are looking for an academic challenge and access to a wide variety of academic and professional resources. Denison is also great for the go-getter student. If you like being involved and appreciate the balance of academics and extracurricular activities, Denison is definitely the place for you.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I mentioned this a little in the what to do for fun section, but Denison really is exceptional when it comes to the amount of clubs and activities you can participate in without even leaving campus. There really is something for everyone. If you like music, you can participate in a number of student lead ensembles; if you like recreational sports you can take your pick from activities as diverse as extreme Frisbee to quidditch. If you are a great communicator or love a particular style of music, you can host your own radio show for the campus radio station. If you're an academic all the way, you can participate in extracurricular studies - from tutoring your peers to events with honorary societies. If you are a giver, you can be part of any number of on campus organizations that work with charitable causes (e.g. Habitat for Humanity, DCA, etc.). If you are a problem solver and justice oriented individual, you can serve as a member of the student conduct board or academic integrity board. Finally, if you are a representative, you can run to be part of the campus student government, which is responsible for a wide variety of campus organizations. Most of the students I knew at Denison were a combination of these types. If you are a combination student too, then great. Your commitment to any one organization is defined solely by you and the time you have available to participate.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
While Denison does have several sororities and fraternities, its Greek life isn't typical of most campuses. Sororities and fraternities are not housed separately on campus, although participation in each group is fairly standard (chapter once a week, dues, service projects, etc.).
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Denison is a very safe campus. You can walk around at 2 in the morning and be as safe as 2 in the afternoon. Denison is monitored 24/7 by campus PD and has almost immediate access to Granville PD. That being said, as with any campus, Denison does have its (small) share of student code violations. However, these violations are handled swiftly, and students really try to look after one another.
Denison University is an exceptional private liberal arts college in Granville, Ohio. Although the campus is small, the diversity of both students and academics makes the university a perfect match for students, who are looking to create an intellectual legacy as well as make a number of diverse friends and future professional contacts. With a high priority on academics as well as an equal commitment to providing hundreds of opportunities for campus involvement, Denison is truly a stand-out university.
Since my acceptance to the college, Denison has steadily increased its acceptance rate, with this last year (2012) representing the largest incoming class ever on campus. This is great news for prospective students, as Denison is providing more chances than ever at being accepted. Just be sure to keep up your grades. While Denison doesn't limit its incoming population to 4.0 students and national merit finalists, it does provide incredible merit based financial aid to those who qualify. Not a straight A student? No problem. Denison really takes each application into account to look for students, who represent a diversity of backgrounds and the potential to excel. Just note that once you come to Denison, you will be challenged academically, but if you were accepted to the university, that means you are one of the students who is likely to excel in such an environment.
While not every class is an ivy-league clone, many classes (particularly in the social sciences and languages) are very academically challenging. You move through the material very quickly and are expected to actively contribute in every class. The class sizes are very small (average 15 students, although this may change as Denison's population grows), and you are expected to do quite a bit of reading to prepare for each class. Also, no matter what your major, you will be expected to write papers. In my experience, my papers were anywhere from 5 to 25 pages in length, with my senior research landing around 50. Finally, exams are almost always cumulative. However, many classes provide the opportunity to gain a large portion of points throughout the semester (downside, this means a lot of homework), so you have a safety net of sorts when you get to the final.
I lived in several different types of housing in my four years at Denison, and I liked them all. My first year I was in a freshman only dorm (a practice at Denison), which was great because I got to know a lot of the members of my class. Sophomore and junior year I lived in a Victorian style house that was open to honors students (now summer research students) and only had 9 other people in my dorm. Finally, senior year I lived in an on-campus apartment with three other seniors. Overall housing is great. The housing lottery is a little bit of a nightmare (which is why I gave housing 4 instead 5 stars), although they are getting better.
Honesty was my priority filling this review out, so to keep up with the honest answers, I have to say dining is Denison's weakness. I'll still give it three stars because over my four years I saw improvement in the diversity (and quality) of food in the dining halls. Also, Denison has Slayter Union, which has several snack bars, a pizza hut, a deli, and a grill line if you don't feel like eating in the dining halls. Slayter even provides Meal Exchange, which allows you to eat a meal (sandwich or other dinner item, two sides, a large drink, and desert) for free (as part of the meal plan) every day.
For being a small campus, Denison has an unusual amount of clubs to join. If you have an odd interest, chances are Denison has a club for that. What is more, if you are interested in something that is not currently sponsored by the campus, it is relatively simple to get your group approved by DCGA, which can even provide you funding for events. Other than clubs, Denison also has a movie night tradition, where we screen recently released films out on the commons. If movies aren't your thing, there are also plenty of sport and music ensembles. Basically, you name it, we've got it.
Denison is expensive; there is no doubt about it. However, the quality of academics, diversity of faculty, opportunity for campus involvement, and post-Denison resources are well worth the cost. What is more, Denison provides great financial aid packages (both merit and need based). All that being said, it is definitely worth your money to double major at Denison. Many majors do not require as many classes for the major as others, and if you are already interested in diverse areas of study, double majoring is a great way to exchange the cost of Denison with a greater opportunity for a job in the future.
For unusual traditions: out of respect (and now superstition) no one on campus walks over the university seal in front of Swasey Chapel. Also, practically everyone on campus eats at Whit's - a frozen custard shop down in the nearby village of Granville (within walking distance). As for unusual locations on campus: Denison is an old college (around since 1831) and has two cemeteries on campus grounds.
Denison is great for students who are looking for an academic challenge and access to a wide variety of academic and professional resources. Denison is also great for the go-getter student. If you like being involved and appreciate the balance of academics and extracurricular activities, Denison is definitely the place for you.
I mentioned this a little in the what to do for fun section, but Denison really is exceptional when it comes to the amount of clubs and activities you can participate in without even leaving campus. There really is something for everyone. If you like music, you can participate in a number of student lead ensembles; if you like recreational sports you can take your pick from activities as diverse as extreme Frisbee to quidditch. If you are a great communicator or love a particular style of music, you can host your own radio show for the campus radio station. If you're an academic all the way, you can participate in extracurricular studies - from tutoring your peers to events with honorary societies. If you are a giver, you can be part of any number of on campus organizations that work with charitable causes (e.g. Habitat for Humanity, DCA, etc.). If you are a problem solver and justice oriented individual, you can serve as a member of the student conduct board or academic integrity board. Finally, if you are a representative, you can run to be part of the campus student government, which is responsible for a wide variety of campus organizations. Most of the students I knew at Denison were a combination of these types. If you are a combination student too, then great. Your commitment to any one organization is defined solely by you and the time you have available to participate.
While Denison does have several sororities and fraternities, its Greek life isn't typical of most campuses. Sororities and fraternities are not housed separately on campus, although participation in each group is fairly standard (chapter once a week, dues, service projects, etc.).
Denison is a very safe campus. You can walk around at 2 in the morning and be as safe as 2 in the afternoon. Denison is monitored 24/7 by campus PD and has almost immediate access to Granville PD. That being said, as with any campus, Denison does have its (small) share of student code violations. However, these violations are handled swiftly, and students really try to look after one another.