Grinnell
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Anonymous
The town gun emporium, somewhat far left campus climate, far right surrounding area, and loose state gun laws can give some people pause. Grinnell had the least desirable location of the many LACs we visited, though imo that shouldn’t in itself rule out the school. Be skeptical of those disparaging the school itself, which is fantastic, but also be skeptical of claims the location isn’t reason for concern. Research and decide for yourselves. |
Anonymous
I wouldn't send a kid who isn't really into school to Grinnell. Grinnell is a challenging school full of kids who love learning. I have one kid at Grinnell but would never consider a school like that for my other kid. I don't mean that as a knock against the school or the kid. There are many different types of colleges and kids. Nobody is a perfect match for all of them for any number of valid reasons |
Anonymous
On the other hand, Grinnell has an open curriculum which would allow a kid to move toward his interests and strengths. That can go a long way. |
Anonymous
Grinnell might not be the best fit for a kid who hates school, although it's always possible that the open curriculum, with its diverse range of classes, could spark a passion in your son. The students at Grinnell are generally kind and supportive but tend to be extremely involved in learning. They won't look down on your son, but he might feel a bit left out if he "isn't really that into school." Grinnell students are often VERY into school. When I visited my DC at Grinnell, I usually picked up on excited conversations among students about their studies. They read one another's essays out of curiosity and often went above and beyond the curriculum. They tend to be internally driven learners. Because classes are small, they are easily individualized, and students can run with projects that interest them. My DC loved their classes and chose to work extremely hard. The kids who didn't feel that way about learning sometimes transferred or became discouraged. The workload is hefty, the kids have to do an unusual amount of reading, and student involvement in learning is usually very high. |
Anonymous
My DC is a recent graduate and, perhaps unfortunately, could attest that there is a very active party scene at Grinnell. Many of the kids work hard and play hard. There is no pressure to attend parties, but they're there in abundance if you want them. Every weekend, there are multiple and diverse parties, from huge themed parties organized every weekend by the school to smaller gatherings. In an effort to spend time with all their friend groups, DC would traipse from one party to the next on Friday and Saturday nights, often getting to bed after 4 am, but they were nevertheless routinely unable to fit in all the parties they wanted to attend. There just wasn't enough time. Students also celebrate birthday parties and other events during the week, often by baking for one another. While DC was something of a partier, they also loved learning and studied very hard. An advantage of being at a small, residential college is that the parties are generally safe. They are usually either on campus or at student houses very close to the campus. Students don't need to drive or rely on others for rides, so there's almost no drunk driving. Also, people know one another and look out for one another. |
Anonymous
Yeah, I think you're right to hesitate and question whether it sounds like the right fit. Is he being recruited by any other schools that might be a better match for his interests, priorities, and needs? |
Anonymous
With that scholarship, your DC won't get a better education for the price. However, you might want to visit the school to get a better feel for it. Some people don't like the isolated location. My DC found the small college and town very "cozy" and had an outstanding experience and education, but if you want Div. 1 football matches and a big city on hand, it's probably not ideal. It's a small school (about 1700 students), quite diverse (lots of international students), offers very intense academics, and has an enormous endowment for a school of its size, which demonstrates itself in its beautiful facilities. The students are bright, curious, and hard-working. |
Anonymous
Poor thing. Keep trying — you’ll learn to troll eventually! We believe in you! |