At Grinnell College, you learn how to think for the very first time in your life. At Grinnell College, you meet people who are amazing, strange, amazingly strange, and strangely amazing--many of whom you will never want to live without. At Grinnell College, you are challenged, discomfited, and completely thrown for a loop, only to find that, four years down the line, you've become the best, most comfortable version of you to date.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Take advantage of as many opportunities that the college offers you as possible, because the number of resources offered at Grinnell is unprecedented. This includes, but is not limited to, trying a sport (there are non-competitive intramural teams), starting a student organization centered on something you really love, like coloring (Grinnell has the funds to support you), and looking into resources like the Career Development Office, which offers annual grants for summer internships and social justice projects. But, most of all, regularly take the time to appreciate your surroundings--listen to your peers, enjoy the random forts that students build around campus, and get to know your faculty and staff. Grinnell is a community of people who want to help you succeed.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Grinnell will gift you with many a late night, but the interesting courses and excellent professors are worth the work .
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The bathrooms may get a little dirty on the weekends, but there is a good policy of self-governance that keeps everyone responsible for themselves.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Grinnell serves very, very high quality food compared to other college dining halls. However, it can get very repetitive at times.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
1) There is a themed all-campus Harris party in the Harris Center every other weekend or so. Popular parties include Disco, Lady Gaga, and Mary B. James, a cross-dressing party.
2) Grinnell provides occasional trips to Des Moines or Iowa City for mall shopping.
3) You can watch a movie in the town's small (but very cheap theater) and enjoy other charming quirks that the tiny town (of only 10,000) has to offer.
3) You can also enjoy the perks of a new, state-of-the-art gym, as well as a decently sized game room with games like air hockey and pool.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Although the advertised cost of attendance is quite high, Grinnell is extremely generous when it comes to financial aid.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The themed Harris Parties are a huge part of campus culture and really help to bring different groups together. Because the college itself is so liberal, students tend to be very free-spirited and opinionated, having no problem going against the norm (cross-dressing, for example) or supporting causes that are otherwise controversial.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Grinnell College is great for any student who wants to receive an exceptional education, pursue/ get more involved in issues concerning social justice, and meet different people.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
As aforementioned, activities on campus such as intramural sports, are very accommodating and versatile. Grinnell College offers everything from socially conscious clubs like the Social Entrepreneurs of Grinnell, an organization in which students raise money for microloans to different causes, to FreeSound, an organization that provides student musicians with free access to instruments and recording equipment.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There is no Greek Life!
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
The town is small, quaint, and protected by a solid police department that is very cooperative with the college.
At Grinnell College, you learn how to think for the very first time in your life. At Grinnell College, you meet people who are amazing, strange, amazingly strange, and strangely amazing--many of whom you will never want to live without. At Grinnell College, you are challenged, discomfited, and completely thrown for a loop, only to find that, four years down the line, you've become the best, most comfortable version of you to date.
Take advantage of as many opportunities that the college offers you as possible, because the number of resources offered at Grinnell is unprecedented. This includes, but is not limited to, trying a sport (there are non-competitive intramural teams), starting a student organization centered on something you really love, like coloring (Grinnell has the funds to support you), and looking into resources like the Career Development Office, which offers annual grants for summer internships and social justice projects. But, most of all, regularly take the time to appreciate your surroundings--listen to your peers, enjoy the random forts that students build around campus, and get to know your faculty and staff. Grinnell is a community of people who want to help you succeed.
Grinnell will gift you with many a late night, but the interesting courses and excellent professors are worth the work .
The bathrooms may get a little dirty on the weekends, but there is a good policy of self-governance that keeps everyone responsible for themselves.
Grinnell serves very, very high quality food compared to other college dining halls. However, it can get very repetitive at times.
1) There is a themed all-campus Harris party in the Harris Center every other weekend or so. Popular parties include Disco, Lady Gaga, and Mary B. James, a cross-dressing party. 2) Grinnell provides occasional trips to Des Moines or Iowa City for mall shopping. 3) You can watch a movie in the town's small (but very cheap theater) and enjoy other charming quirks that the tiny town (of only 10,000) has to offer. 3) You can also enjoy the perks of a new, state-of-the-art gym, as well as a decently sized game room with games like air hockey and pool.
Although the advertised cost of attendance is quite high, Grinnell is extremely generous when it comes to financial aid.
The themed Harris Parties are a huge part of campus culture and really help to bring different groups together. Because the college itself is so liberal, students tend to be very free-spirited and opinionated, having no problem going against the norm (cross-dressing, for example) or supporting causes that are otherwise controversial.
Grinnell College is great for any student who wants to receive an exceptional education, pursue/ get more involved in issues concerning social justice, and meet different people.
As aforementioned, activities on campus such as intramural sports, are very accommodating and versatile. Grinnell College offers everything from socially conscious clubs like the Social Entrepreneurs of Grinnell, an organization in which students raise money for microloans to different causes, to FreeSound, an organization that provides student musicians with free access to instruments and recording equipment.
There is no Greek Life!
The town is small, quaint, and protected by a solid police department that is very cooperative with the college.