Grinnell College Top Questions

Grinnell is a place where you can be yourself without any limitations or social oppressions. Acceptance is a fundamental value at Grinnell in all aspects - social, political, etc.

Grinnell tries very hard to be accepting of every culture, and is usually pretty successful. I do feel like conservatives and very religious people would feel uncomfortable on campus. I'm a Christian, not even a very hard-core one, and I still get asked constantly about my religion. This wouldn't be so bad if the questions were asked with the intention of learning, not just refuting everything I say... "Normal" and "mainstream" are dirty words here in Grinnell, which can be nice in that you get to express every part of yourself that maybe you didn't get to in high school. I really do like Grinnell, but it does have its negative aspects which should be considered.

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. The academics at Grinnell are simply phenomenal. Further, 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.

Highly overrated. Talented professors and departments who ultimately suck because of rigid ideology and high or unknowable standards. Terrible social scene. Terrible town. Nothing to do but schoolwork, drugs, and extra currics. Annoying ideological arrogance. Cold and icy Odd, ideological, and politcally charged school spirit Dumb, dumb administration whose losing millions and millions of dollars a year. Have I made myself clear?

Grinnell students are generally happy with their school because the whole culture revolves around them. The administration bends over backwards to serve the student body - or at least give the impression that it is doing so - and it creates an aura of entitlement among students.

small and mid-western

All of the schools I applied to were top-notch liberal arts colleges, but Grinnell seemed to offer something beyond that. Students at Grinnell seemed enthusiastically devoted to not only their studies but to social change and justice. When I'm not studying (which is most of the time, I won't lie), I have so many clubs and projects to join, along with so many just for fun groups, from choir to zombie movie night. Grinnell also has a huge endowment and their financial aid package was bar-none the best I recieved.

Senior Barbara discusses the positives and negatives of a uniquely Grinnellian institution: self governance.

Grinnell is a very quirky wonderful place with a lot of people who care about the state of the world and where it will go in the future. Many bright minds have passed through the loggias of Grinnell, and there are some who aren't as bright who also have. Everyone's situation is different, and really visiting the school yourself is the best way to find out what Grinnell is really like.

Grinnell is not perfect we have had hate crimes on campus, and many students are constantly trying to better the climate and continue communication. Also, in recent years a shift has occurred and many students are unhappy with the running and decisions of Student Affairs. Student Groups have also formed to support proper and helpful decision making that supports Self Governance instead of hurting it. The big picture deal is understand your limits, but also understand Grinnell will make you grow and test those limits. No one is stagnate being and any College will make you grow. Grinnell will simply ask you to actively add to the community, by adding you beliefs, values and culture. Just as long as we are all held accountable self gov will always be love.