Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 13:21     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
These are very, very different schools. I think Grinnell is great, but for what your kid wants, Pitt is amazing and will provide a lot of opportunity right on campus.

I actually can't figure out what would have attracted your kid to Grinnell in this case. Since you said: "Grinnell has better ranking" -- it seems rank was valued in an of itself? If so, drop that attitude and choose the school that fits what your kid actually wants to study.
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 13:18     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
I loved Grinnell back in the 90s and they gave me merit, but if your kid doesn’t want small and rural it’s just a bad fit. Go with Pitt.
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 13:15     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
If you outsource your decision making to USNWR or Forbes or whatever, you deserve what you get.
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 13:11     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
The kids I know love Pitt. That’s what I would choose.
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 13:11     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
Pitt, if they like a larger environment. The difference in rankings is not that significant.
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 13:07     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
Anonymous wrote:Wow. I don't think I could see two different types of school - Grinnell - 2k students, middle of Iowa. Pitt - 33k total students, middle of Pittsburgh.

IMO, if interested in Public Health and Bio, I would consider Pitt - much easier to find internship right in the schools backyard v. Grinnell, IMO. Plenty of hospitals spitting distance of Pitt's campus.

As far as Grinnell being a fairly elite LAC, not my thing at all. I majored in engineering.

Plus, so much more to do at Pitt - not only college sports teams but pro as well, and museums (Carnegie right across the street), cultural stuff with symphony, touring shows, cool restaurants, breweries, etc.

Good Luck!


I'm a huge fan of both of these schools, but Grinnell's relative prestige must be doing a lot of work here in making this a difficult decision. If Grinnell was in upstate NY or Western Mass kids would kill to go there. The campus is beautiful, the school has a relatively large endowment which provides for lots of resources for students, and it has great med school outcomes. But as PPs have said, it's in the middle of nowhere and Grinnell, IA is not much of a town. Pittsburgh is no picnic in the winter either, but it's a much cooler town than people probably give it credit for and has so much to offer. If your kid has any reservations about isolation, this is a no brainer.
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 12:56     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
Grinell is a couple of blocks from a walkable, Democratic, college town downtown with good restaurants, coffee houses, movie theater, hotel, etc. A lot of suburban campuses can't offer that. And it's just an hour away from Democratic Des Moine and Iowa City. But it's not a city.
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 12:52     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
Wow. I don't think I could see two different types of school - Grinnell - 2k students, middle of Iowa. Pitt - 33k total students, middle of Pittsburgh.

IMO, if interested in Public Health and Bio, I would consider Pitt - much easier to find internship right in the schools backyard v. Grinnell, IMO. Plenty of hospitals spitting distance of Pitt's campus.

As far as Grinnell being a fairly elite LAC, not my thing at all. I majored in engineering.

Plus, so much more to do at Pitt - not only college sports teams but pro as well, and museums (Carnegie right across the street), cultural stuff with symphony, touring shows, cool restaurants, breweries, etc.

Good Luck!
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 12:46     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
Never heard of Grinnell.
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 12:34     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
I would go with Grinnell as a relatively elite lac. Pitt feels much less prestigious
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 12:27     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
Rural Iowa is not the place to be if you don't want "rural." Right now the temperature in Grinnell is 15 F, which is another thing about Iowa.
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 12:25     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
Plus Pitt makes more sense for public health/bio majors.
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 12:24     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
If they don’t like the small size and remote location, then I would pass on Grinnell. Pitt is a wonderful school. Terrific location, great education and it’s fun to have a football team to cheer on.
Anonymous
Post 01/03/2025 12:22     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
I think your kid liking the environment is important if other aspects of the school (not ranking - the actual school) are fairly equal. Someone who wants a big school in an urban location is not going to be happy at Grinnell, and that can impact how successful they are.
andrew70912
Post 01/03/2025 12:18     Subject: University of Pittsburgh vs Grinnell College
DC is having difficulty deciding between Pitt and Grinnell. His primary interests are in public health and bio. The costs are comparable as Grinnell offers some scholarship. DC understands Grinnell has better ranking, but does not like its remote rural location and small size. would appreciate advice or insights.