Kenyon College Top Questions

Yes, my profs know my name. Even last semester, when I was in a 70-student physics lecture (one of the largest classes on campus), my professor knew my name. It's so cool. Almost every class is under 30 students, and under 20 is even more common. Class participation is a must. Sometimes it's frustrating that profs often factor in attendance as part of your grade--it feels very high school, and it's kind of a blow to the independence that college represents--but if you think about it, it's really cool that they put such a high premium on the classroom experience. In the true spirit of liberal arts, a Kenyon education is predominantly geared toward learning for its own sake, but there are definitely resources and support systems (the Career Development Center is very accessible and helpful). Kenyon isn't stupid, they know that even graduates of liberal arts college have to get a job someday. Oh, and as far as how much people study? OFTEN. Academics at Kenyon are intense, no lie. Even the kid who was doing keg stands on Saturday night will be in the library Sunday afternoon along with the rest of us.

It's really easy to have professors know who you are if you want them to. It's also easy to just slide by without forming relationships with any. But they do care a whole lot about what and who they're teaching. I think the only bad classes I had in 4 years were the intro psychology classes and econ 101. My favorite class was a religion course I took senior year. Changed my world. Students study a lot, but they also have a lot of fun. Its not at all uncommon to have a straight-A student also be a huge partier. Class participation is a must, you really can't get away with not participating, since classes are so small. Students aren't at all competitive. I never heard someone ask about another students grades. Seriously, never. I definitely spent time with professors outside of class, often having dinner with my Russian professors and my English professors. It wasn't uncommon for our newspaper adviser to buy us pizza or drink at the Cove with us. The English department at Kenyon gets a lot of hype, and there are definitely some really strong professors, but there are also a bunch of lousy ones, too. I think it's a little overrated, but I wouldn't have majored in anything else. Kenyon's education is definitely NOT geared towards getting a job (and the career center sucks). The academic requirements are pretty standard and definitely reasonable, though I still wish I hadn't had to take econ.

The physics department is absolutely amazing. I routinely meet with professors outside of class to discuss both academic issues and hold leisurely conversations. The faculty is committed to providing an academic environment that students can feel both comfortable and challenged.

Kenyon academics can be summed up quite simply: rigorous but not cut-throat. If you want to come to a school and dominate and compete academically, Kenyon is not the place for you; there's too much of a spirit of commraderie. It's about learning, not about getting higher marks than the guy sitting next to you. You'll get a well-rounded liberal arts education (including a math class, whether you want it or not!) in classes with no more than 50 students. And in every class I've been in, the professor has known everyone's name.

Professors do seem to know my name; I wish I was less memorable. My favorite class was my smallest: Mystic Philosophy, 7 students. My least favorite was also philosophy, with 20 students. Class participation depends on the attitude of the students, the professors, the courseloads, the time of day, lot of stuff. It's certainly encouraged by most professors. They don't want to talk the whole class. My department is a pain, I really hate it. The teachers are kind and brilliant and wonderful when you talk to them in office hours. I just wish their office hours were the only parts of them I were exposed to. I wish Kenyon made it's academic requirements more visible from the beginning of our studying here, or at least that all of it was available online. It seems like cheating for it not to be on the registrar's site.

I absolutely adore my professors. They all know me by name and have made conscious efforts to interact with me outside the classroom as well as in. I've had dinner with several professors since my first year and, in going abroad, got very close to one of the English professors and her family who accompanied the 2006/07 Kenyon-Exeter group. I've met professors to do odd jobs, get coffee, get recommendations for graduate school and just to shoot the breeze. Kenyon professors are by and large truly wonderful human beings: kind, compassionate, wise and brilliant. I'm very happy and grateful to have had them as my teachers.

Kenyon is small by national standards--about 1,600 students when I attended--but it's just the right size for its students. Classes are usually no larger than 20 students, which allows the professors to develop personal relationships with each of their students. You'll get invited over to your professor's house for dinner at least once during your college career, and most likely get invited even more often than that. Students babysit their professors' children and are often on a first name basis with everyone from the maintenance staff to the bookstore employees. You are an individual at Kenyon, not a number, and most faculty find a way to respect every student's individual strengths and help them with their weaknesses. Students aren't competitive with each other, instead pushing one another to learn more and helping when some fall behind. Class discussions are entirely what the students make them--the professors won't guide you or give you the answer straight out to make things easier. The classes are challenging and sometimes feel like more than you can handle, but the professors are always there to help. The English department is far and away the biggest and most well-known of Kenyon's departments. Some of the department's most famous alumni include John Crowe Ransom, Laura Hillenbrand, Robert Lowell, James Wright, and E. L. Doctorow. It's also home to The Kenyon Review, one of the America's foremost literary magazines. Since it has such a stellar reputation as a writing school, all the professors are very accomplished and articulate and expect you to be the same. My professor for a genetics lab regularly commented on the grammar, organization, and literary style of our lab reports in addition to the science. You won't leave Kenyon without learning how to write, that's for sure! The Drama department, where I spent most of my "free" time, is also nationally renowned--listed as one of The Fifteen Best Colleges for the Aspiring Actor by The College Finder. The Playwright in Residence is Wendy MacLeod, one of the foremost American woman playwrights living today. Paul Newman and Alison Janney both graduated from Kenyon's Drama program as well. As for the academic requirements, Kenyon is not a college for lazy students. In order to graduate with your intended major(s), every student is required to pass the Senior Exercise, which differs by department. In most cases, the student is required both to present a project (often to outside examiners) that serves as the capstone to their undergraduate career and pass a written exam encompassing the entire body of knowledge he/she has learned while studying for their major. Very few colleges do this in America as it's a more European tradition, but such a rigorous requirement for graduation ensures that each Kenyon student leaves with a comprehensive understanding of their subject(s).

All of my professors know my name and have had long conversations with me at one point in time. My favorite class was Quest for Justice (a freshman class) because it allowd me to agrue and explore a plethera of different subjects politically. My least favorite class was economics with Longbreak. I love econ, but he was a mediocre teacher at best. Don't worry, hes gone. Students study a good amount, especially during finals and midterms. Aka the library is packed. Students have intellectual conversaitons out side of class if they want to. Especially in the spring. And yes, most Kenyon students are driven which tends to imply competative. But not in a mean or bad way, just push each other to do well. Class participation is expected and required. My major is political science and they are the most interesting and thought provoking classes in my opinion. But I am biased. I have gone out to coffee with my professors before and its not uncommon for them to throw parties at the end of the semesters with the students. Kenyons academic requirements are challenging and difficult. Don't apply if yu want an easy ride. Kenyon is more geared for learnng for its own sake.

The promotional materials market Kenyon as "a unique academic community where collaboration rather than competition is the guiding spirit." This is more or less true; the overall feel is both diligent and casual. "I've got a thesis and outline due tomorrow morning! Ahk!" "Hey, so do I. How's about a smoke?" While the faculty run the usual gamut from dull to eccentric, most are more than willing to spend time with students outside of the classroom. Just be aware that these things don't always happen on their own. Show a little more interest or dedication from the start if this is the type of academic relationship you wish to foster.

Academics really are the most important thing at Kenyon. A lot of big schools tend to lose sight of the fact that their purpose is to educate undergraduates. Sports, research, and extracurriculars may become more important at some schools, but definitely not at Kenyon. Class sizes tend to be rather small. The largest class I've ever had was an introductory Psychology class with around 60-70 people. On average, I'd say the classes range from 15-30 people. The professors always know your name. One of the many things I love about classes at Kenyon is the fact that, since the size is relatively small, the teacher calls on you a lot during the period. Kenyon isn't the type of school where you sit and watch a professor talk at you for an hour. You have to do the work, because the teacher will call on you. Classes tend to be much more discussion-based, which I feel is a much better teaching style than simple lecture. The professors at Kenyon are absolutely amazing. Kenyon students tend to be incredibly motivated, intelligent people. However, I don't think we're ultra-competitive grade-grabbers. Most of us are motivated simply because the stuff we're studying is interesting and we want to know about it. I'm a Japanese Area Studies Major, which is under the Modern Languages and Literatures Department. Kenyon's language program is fantastic. I meet with my faculty adviser a lot to discuss my courses, post-graduation plans, and even my general life. The faculty are incredibly open and keep easy office hours to help students stay in contact with them.