Kenyon vs Denison

[Anonymous]

Our son got nice merit scholarships to Kenyon and Denison. Visiting both soon. Thoughts on either school? Leaning towards Kenyon since he is a quirky, bright kid and all of his Kenyon virtual experiences have been very engaging. Don't have quite as clear a feel for Denison. Also interested in how Jewish life is on both campuses. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Our DD is at Kenyon and, before she went we thought it was bizarre how many current students, alums, parents of current students and parents of alums said they loved it. Did they drink the Kool-Aid? Was a chip implanted in their brains? Did aliens take them?!

Now we're like that too. It's really a terrific school and one of the things that makes it so is that you have quirky kids and sporty kids and preppy kids and artsy kids -- and not only are they friends, but often they're the same people. Kenyon lets you be who you are.

(I can't address what Jewish life is like, but definitely call the admissions office and they'll hook you up with folks who can.)

Congrats to your son and good luck with this decision!

[Anonymous]

My DD is considering Kenyon with a healthy merit scholarship too, but is worried about the small size and rural location, especially considering that Kenyon is half the size of her current high school. She's also worried that, with that small size, if you don't join a sorority, don't get into an acapella group, and are not an athlete, you get left out. Do you have any thoughts on that? I too have heard only good things from people who are connected, but she's finding it hard to believe -- kind of like the first paragraph of your post.

[Anonymous]

My DD graduated from Denison a few years ago and had a wonderful experience there in pretty much every respect. She formed close connections with professors and classmates, participated in several ECs, was NOT in a sorority, had an on-campus job she loved, and did (paid) summer research. She really transformed into herself during her four years there.

One of the many things I love about Denison as a parent is its authenticity. It attracts bright, motivated, down-to-earth students who together form a very strong community and create a sense of place. Adam Weinstein, the President, bolsters this.

The Village of Granville is tiny but has everything students need. From time to time, DD rented a car ($5/hour) with friends and went to Columbus for bigger city life stuff (restaurants, the zoo). It's less than a half-hour away.

FWIW, DC has a great job now and at some point intends to go to graduate school. I think she got a great education at Denison.

[Anonymous]

Kenyon bruh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our son got nice merit scholarships to Kenyon and Denison. Visiting both soon. Thoughts on either school? Leaning towards Kenyon since he is a quirky, bright kid and all of his Kenyon virtual experiences have been very engaging. Don't have quite as clear a feel for Denison. Also interested in how Jewish life is on both campuses. Thanks!

There’s a FB group for Jewish parents of older kids. Very helpful to understand Jewish life at different schools. I think it’s MOT older kids or something like that.

[Anonymous]

Broth great schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our son got nice merit scholarships to Kenyon and Denison. Visiting both soon. Thoughts on either school? Leaning towards Kenyon since he is a quirky, bright kid and all of his Kenyon virtual experiences have been very engaging. Don't have quite as clear a feel for Denison. Also interested in how Jewish life is on both campuses. Thanks!

I think after you visit both schools you'll have your answer. They are both small liberal arts colleges, but they had very different feels to us when we visited. My daughter who is a quirky theater kid, picked Kenyon. They do have a Hillel that you could reach out to as well. When you're looking at liberal arts colleges, it really does come down to fit, and I suspect you'll know where your kid fits better after you visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is considering Kenyon with a healthy merit scholarship too, but is worried about the small size and rural location, especially considering that Kenyon is half the size of her current high school. She's also worried that, with that small size, if you don't join a sorority, don't get into an acapella group, and are not an athlete, you get left out. Do you have any thoughts on that? I too have heard only good things from people who are connected, but she's finding it hard to believe -- kind of like the first paragraph of your post.

In a big school, people separate into groups because it is often the best way to manage a crowd. In a small school, you don't need to do that, so people are more likely to mx it up no matter what their interests may be, and you can be more than one "thing."

[Anonymous]

Don't know what your son is planning to study but doesn't appear that Kenyon has a traditional CS major. Call it "scientific computing".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD is considering Kenyon with a healthy merit scholarship too, but is worried about the small size and rural location, especially considering that Kenyon is half the size of her current high school. She's also worried that, with that small size, if you don't join a sorority, don't get into an acapella group, and are not an athlete, you get left out. Do you have any thoughts on that? I too have heard only good things from people who are connected, but she's finding it hard to believe -- kind of like the first paragraph of your post.

In a big school, people separate into groups because it is often the best way to manage a crowd. In a small school, you don't need to do that, so people are more likely to mx it up no matter what their interests may be, and you can be more than one "thing."

This is my DD's experience at Kenyon. I found the same to be true at the SLAC I attended as did DH at another SLAC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD is considering Kenyon with a healthy merit scholarship too, but is worried about the small size and rural location, especially considering that Kenyon is half the size of her current high school. She's also worried that, with that small size, if you don't join a sorority, don't get into an acapella group, and are not an athlete, you get left out. Do you have any thoughts on that? I too have heard only good things from people who are connected, but she's finding it hard to believe -- kind of like the first paragraph of your post.

In a big school, people separate into groups because it is often the best way to manage a crowd. In a small school, you don't need to do that, so people are more likely to mx it up no matter what their interests may be, and you can be more than one "thing."

This is my DD's experience at Kenyon. I found the same to be true at the SLAC I attended as did DH at another SLAC.

I agree with this, but would and other factors as well. The per student endowment figure is very important because it translates to extras such as funded research and support for sports.

https://denison.edu/campus/president/speeches/130348

https://reachhighscholars.org/college_endowments.html

[Anonymous]

I went to Denison. It was a great school and I loved it.

That said, Kenyon is better, academically, so I would encourage my child to go there if he or she got in.

[Anonymous]

I would lean towards Kenyon based on the many things others have said above. My child will be a first year this fall and is an athlete who could also be described as quirky. They are very happy to be going to a college that offers great sports and a diverse student body, in addition to excellent academics.

Good luck with the decision!

[Anonymous]

There’s a FB group for Jewish parents of older kids. Very helpful to understand Jewish life at different schools. I think it’s MOT older kids or something like that.

THANK YOU!! OP here. I hadn't heard of this group before and sounds like it will definitely be a helpful group in multiple ways.