Denison is excellent in regards to academics, and we are such a small school that professors are better able to slow down or speed up their classes depending upon how their students are doing. Also, if an individual student is struggling or has an interest in a specific or other related topic, most professors are more than willing to meet and help or discuss. That's one of the best parts of Denison. The professors love working here, and it shows. Thus, the students all benefit and come away with more than they might have at another school. One fault I can mention is that it is not as easy to learn practical life skills (street smarts) here as at many bigger schools. We are, for the most part, trained to operate in the impractical, scholarly realm. By no means is it impossible to learn street smarts here, just more difficult. One skill that I do believe we learn better more easily than students at many other schools is how to communicate clearly and effectively, because it is such a huge focus in all classes and extracurricular activities, both in written and spoken forms.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
There comes a point in every college student's career where they hate where they are and what they do. It is natural. I have experienced it, and you will too no matter where you go. For me it happened during sophomore year, when I had a lot of emotional, family, health, and roommate issues. What I can say is that I do not know if I would have been able to get through that time in my life while studying at any other school or with any other professors. You will find that at Denison the professors you work with - or even just the professors in the department you primarily work in - actually care about you and what is going on in your life. They try to help you grow as a member of society, a student, and as a human being. This level of attention and care makes Denison truly different and worthwhile.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
You may be thinking that it would be difficult for Denison to live up to its buck value, because that value is so high. Most students here, though, only pay about half of that amount. I personally am paying less than ten percent of their estimated cost. You can pay the same amount or less as you would for a state school, but have an amazing, in-depth, private liberal arts school education. Denison works very hard to not let costs prevent students from attending, or from studying abroad later in their college careers.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Talk to your current teachers and other older adults as much as possible about both intellectual and non-academic subjects, as that will help to prepare you for the relationships that you will indubitably have once you get here. Be as involved as possible at your current school in VARIOUS activities and with volunteer opportunities, because that also trains you for life on Denison's campus and will gain you scholarships if you really do a lot. Practice writing as much as possible.
Overall, Denison is all about diverse experiences, diverse people, and dialogue.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Anyone who has diverse interests. I am a Studio Art major soon to declare an Art History minor, but I have also done much study in various dance forms and in the Ancient Greek language while at Denison, as well as taken courses in communication, anatomy (we dissected cats and had the option to go on a field trip to see human cadavers), theatre, and other fields. Such experiences are the norm at Denison. Indeed, you cannot graduate without having taken a very wide range of classes.
Denison is particularly great for Studio Artists because you can earn a BFA here, which is the degree you would earn from an art school. Thus, you are basically at a mini (but mighty) art school with all the benefits of studying at a private liberal arts college.
Denison is excellent in regards to academics, and we are such a small school that professors are better able to slow down or speed up their classes depending upon how their students are doing. Also, if an individual student is struggling or has an interest in a specific or other related topic, most professors are more than willing to meet and help or discuss. That's one of the best parts of Denison. The professors love working here, and it shows. Thus, the students all benefit and come away with more than they might have at another school. One fault I can mention is that it is not as easy to learn practical life skills (street smarts) here as at many bigger schools. We are, for the most part, trained to operate in the impractical, scholarly realm. By no means is it impossible to learn street smarts here, just more difficult. One skill that I do believe we learn better more easily than students at many other schools is how to communicate clearly and effectively, because it is such a huge focus in all classes and extracurricular activities, both in written and spoken forms.
There comes a point in every college student's career where they hate where they are and what they do. It is natural. I have experienced it, and you will too no matter where you go. For me it happened during sophomore year, when I had a lot of emotional, family, health, and roommate issues. What I can say is that I do not know if I would have been able to get through that time in my life while studying at any other school or with any other professors. You will find that at Denison the professors you work with - or even just the professors in the department you primarily work in - actually care about you and what is going on in your life. They try to help you grow as a member of society, a student, and as a human being. This level of attention and care makes Denison truly different and worthwhile.
You may be thinking that it would be difficult for Denison to live up to its buck value, because that value is so high. Most students here, though, only pay about half of that amount. I personally am paying less than ten percent of their estimated cost. You can pay the same amount or less as you would for a state school, but have an amazing, in-depth, private liberal arts school education. Denison works very hard to not let costs prevent students from attending, or from studying abroad later in their college careers.
Talk to your current teachers and other older adults as much as possible about both intellectual and non-academic subjects, as that will help to prepare you for the relationships that you will indubitably have once you get here. Be as involved as possible at your current school in VARIOUS activities and with volunteer opportunities, because that also trains you for life on Denison's campus and will gain you scholarships if you really do a lot. Practice writing as much as possible. Overall, Denison is all about diverse experiences, diverse people, and dialogue.
Anyone who has diverse interests. I am a Studio Art major soon to declare an Art History minor, but I have also done much study in various dance forms and in the Ancient Greek language while at Denison, as well as taken courses in communication, anatomy (we dissected cats and had the option to go on a field trip to see human cadavers), theatre, and other fields. Such experiences are the norm at Denison. Indeed, you cannot graduate without having taken a very wide range of classes. Denison is particularly great for Studio Artists because you can earn a BFA here, which is the degree you would earn from an art school. Thus, you are basically at a mini (but mighty) art school with all the benefits of studying at a private liberal arts college.