Kenyon College Top Questions

Kenyon College is becoming more and more of an enigma to me. Some days, I don't know what the hell it's "about" or why I'm even here. But the sense of community, as I said before, is really the best thing about it. It's great to be able to ask your friend, "Hey, did you hear that so-and-so did this?" (Not that my friends and I are gossipy--another bonus), and know that they will know who you're talking about. This community might seem stifling to some, but the campus itself is spread out enough that I've never had a problem with it.

When I tell people I go to Kenyon I most commonly get two reactions: either they're instantly impressed or they know nothing about the college. The most common complaint is probably the food, but only because there's nothing better to complain about. It's really not that bad. There's definitely a sense of community here at Kenyon. Since it's a small college you get to know a lot of people really quickly, which is great since most people come here knowing no one. The campus is gorgeous!! It really lifts your spirits.

I like the school size. I enjoy the remoteness of it. I wish there was more of a finance or accounting department at Kenyon, rather than just the economics department. I do not like the typical college partier, and so sometimes I wish my fellow classmates were more academically serious.

the best thing is by far the professors here. they unbelievably dedicated to each and every student. i would like for there to be more school spirit. there is little loyalty to the school here. i spend most of my time in my room studying. we have too much work. freshman year is fun because everything is new. after that the fun is taken out of learning and you do nothing but work. you are lucky to have a break during the day to watch a movie or have fun. there is no college town; it is a street that was promoted to being called the town of gambier. THERE IS NOTHING TO DO HERE...but drink, and if you are not the partying type, this can be a problem. the deans are nonexistent. we hear what they decide will happen at the school, but never see them at sporting events. the only time they appear is when trustees come, or parents are visiting. they focus solely on the business aspect of the college. the food is terrible mainly because they make us pay so little for room and board. they have to make room and board cheap so because the tuition is one of the highest in the country. this results in small rooms, bad food, and an overall below average living experience.

Kenyon is a bit like camp. Except with classes. It is small, beautiful, and has exceptional athletic facilities. And did I mention beautiful? I wonder how many students just love to walk around campus and look at the trees. Especially in the Fall. Everyone is nice, though the sports and singing groups form cliques.

There are some great things about Kenyon. Summer Send Off is really tight. Long day of hanging out, partying, and music. The current implementation of proxy cards on the dorms has caused quite a ruckus, since by and large most students don't want them. Most people complain about things that happen but don't get involved in Student Government. Currently a plan is being implemented that will cause us to pay for printing, also a not popular item. The Administration (Specifically President Nugent) is not thought of very highly by the student population. One of the best things about it is how nice the people are and how relaxed it is. Everyone is just really chill and it's not competitive here for grades.

The academics are incredible here. I visited a number of other colleges in high school and last year when I considered transferring, but I didn't visit any classes that were as thought provoking and insightful. The small class size allows you to really get to know your professors, which makes them much more willing to help you when you need it. Obviously the classes are a lot of work, but if you take the recommended course load and go to class, you should be fine. Kenyon is in a very small town, if it can even be called a town. If you're looking for anything remotely city-like, I don't know if I would choose Kenyon. It's nice that the campus is small so you can walk everywhere (especially nice in fall and spring), but the town of Gambier is the college. To go anywhere else you need a car, which can be frustrating. Luckily I think they're setting up more fruquent shuttles to Mt. Vernon/Columbus/airport. The student body is very, very small. This has it's pros and cons. It's nice to walk down middle path and see people you know. It really adds a sense of community to the place. I think the smallness of the student body helps to counteract the feeling of isolation one might get from being in such a small town. There's always someone you know around. Unfortunately, this makes it difficult to avoid people. It also helps to fuel gossip since everyone knows each other. Gossip is at any school though.

The big picture is pretty small. Kenyon is set in the small village of Gambier, OH. Students outnumber residents, which means pretty much all the entertainment is student created, but there is plenty of it. Whether it's sports, theater, stand up comedy, a musical group, or something else almost all students are involved with some sort of group that enhances student life. Professors are interested in students as individuals; there's no shortage of individual attention here.

Student complaints deal specifically with the administration of the school. Most of us feel that because we go to a smaller school (as opposed to a state school where administration can't really get complete student feed back) it is not too much to ask for the administration to be more open and communicate with us. Currently, Kenyon has open dorms, there are no swipe cards or security locks, but most everyone locks their doors when they are not in the room. This will soon change with the implementation of swipe cards on all dorm building doors. While this may seem like a no-brainer it really conflicts with what many students see as "kenyon." Also, this action would have been taken without any student input because the administration and board had passed it without any student council consent, and when they did bring it before the student body it was more of "this is what will happen..." rather than "We what your feed back..." Without much else in the way of city entertainments we really care about our school and its maintainance.

I believe that Kenyon is known for its academics. When people hear that I go to kenyon they are impressed because they know the reputation that Kenyon has for being a very selective school.