I feel like I have learned a lot at Grinnell College in my first year. The workload here is rigorous and the classes cover a large amount of material in a short amount of time. However, the professors are more than happy to make sure you understand the material in or outside of class. The professors, 95%+ of them having earned their PhD, are very passionate about their fields and this shows in their teaching. There are also many tutors and mentors who are willing to aid in your comprehension. Both the professors and fellow students cater to a great learning environment.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I really am enjoying my time at Grinnell. In the first semester of my first year, I took on 18 credits and 10.5 hours a week of campus employment. Though it is a lot of work, I have gained a great sense of self-fulfillment. Grinnell pushes you into seeing what you are capable of. For that I am really thankful. The professors, staff, and students at Grinnell are friendly and helpful, creating a small, tight-knit community. The social life is also very enjoyable, for reasons I’ll talk about below.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
The thing that worried me and my family about Grinnell was how to finance it. However, I knew that, even though other schools gave me more money, Grinnell was the school for me because it had the most to offer me. Grinnell College is a school that truly cares about the student: this is especially shown from the core concept of academic freedom, in which the only required class is a writing tutorial for the first semester (and then the required classes to fulfill your major). The academics at Grinnell are simply phenomenal. Academics aside, the social life at Grinnell is better than expected. Myself included, most think that there is nothing to do in the small town of Grinnell. However, this is not true. The campus brings bands, comedians, art shows, movies, and much more to the campus, giving its students the same opportunities others at larger schools would have. All in all, Grinnell College definitely has bang for its buck.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
I would highly recommend prospective students to visit Grinnell before deciding to enroll. Though I fell in love with Grinnell during a college fair, I visited the college three times - twice before applying and once after being accepted. The visit that solidified my decision was when I spent the weekend with a student. This visit helped me to experience the Grinnell life and I knew that I would be a good fit for it. However, Grinnell is not for all people: some people may not be comfortable with the small size of the college, for example. So I recommend researching the college as much as possible before enrolling: visit the college, talk with current or former students or professors, and schedule an admission interview.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Grinnellians are hardworking, dedicated, and balanced students. Grinnellians must be hardworking to complete and understand their subjects of study. Grinnellians must be dedicated to their work by going to their professors or peers for help if and when they need it. However, Grinnellians must also be balanced: they must know how to have a successful academic and social life. Grinnell College aims to build strong leaders: the qualities aforementioned are key to building such leadership. If you are looking for a strong education and are willing to push yourself for it, while building close, lasting friendships, Grinnell College is the college for you.
I feel like I have learned a lot at Grinnell College in my first year. The workload here is rigorous and the classes cover a large amount of material in a short amount of time. However, the professors are more than happy to make sure you understand the material in or outside of class. The professors, 95%+ of them having earned their PhD, are very passionate about their fields and this shows in their teaching. There are also many tutors and mentors who are willing to aid in your comprehension. Both the professors and fellow students cater to a great learning environment.
I really am enjoying my time at Grinnell. In the first semester of my first year, I took on 18 credits and 10.5 hours a week of campus employment. Though it is a lot of work, I have gained a great sense of self-fulfillment. Grinnell pushes you into seeing what you are capable of. For that I am really thankful. The professors, staff, and students at Grinnell are friendly and helpful, creating a small, tight-knit community. The social life is also very enjoyable, for reasons I’ll talk about below.
The thing that worried me and my family about Grinnell was how to finance it. However, I knew that, even though other schools gave me more money, Grinnell was the school for me because it had the most to offer me. Grinnell College is a school that truly cares about the student: this is especially shown from the core concept of academic freedom, in which the only required class is a writing tutorial for the first semester (and then the required classes to fulfill your major). The academics at Grinnell are simply phenomenal. Academics aside, the social life at Grinnell is better than expected. Myself included, most think that there is nothing to do in the small town of Grinnell. However, this is not true. The campus brings bands, comedians, art shows, movies, and much more to the campus, giving its students the same opportunities others at larger schools would have. All in all, Grinnell College definitely has bang for its buck.
I would highly recommend prospective students to visit Grinnell before deciding to enroll. Though I fell in love with Grinnell during a college fair, I visited the college three times - twice before applying and once after being accepted. The visit that solidified my decision was when I spent the weekend with a student. This visit helped me to experience the Grinnell life and I knew that I would be a good fit for it. However, Grinnell is not for all people: some people may not be comfortable with the small size of the college, for example. So I recommend researching the college as much as possible before enrolling: visit the college, talk with current or former students or professors, and schedule an admission interview.
Grinnellians are hardworking, dedicated, and balanced students. Grinnellians must be hardworking to complete and understand their subjects of study. Grinnellians must be dedicated to their work by going to their professors or peers for help if and when they need it. However, Grinnellians must also be balanced: they must know how to have a successful academic and social life. Grinnell College aims to build strong leaders: the qualities aforementioned are key to building such leadership. If you are looking for a strong education and are willing to push yourself for it, while building close, lasting friendships, Grinnell College is the college for you.