<p>Hey guys!</p>
<p>Congratulations on being accepted to Kenyon. I bet you've got tons of questions. I am a current Kenyon student and I'd love to answer some questions for you. I've got a lot of friends at other liberal arts colleges (off the top of my head: Middlebury, Wesleyan, Bates, Hamilton, NYU, Macalester, Colgate, and Colorado College. There are more, but that is all I can think of at the moment.) and I looked into/visited most of those. I work for admissions here, but I can be honest about the pros and cons for Kenyon and other colleges. Kenyon isn't for everyone, but those of us that are here absolutely love it.
Again congratulations and good luck with your college search!
Kenyontourguide</p>
<p>Hey KTG!</p>
<p>Our DD was accepted (she’s super excited), and so now we’re going to visit the campus. Do we fly into Columbus and then rent a car? Taxi in? We’re coming from L.A. Any other tips? She is interested in music, English, psych, and history although that could change. Should she arrange to sit in on a class?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Mrs. College</p>
<p>First of all, congratulations to your daughter! I remember how excited I was when I was accepted to Kenyon!
I would suggest flying into Columbus and renting a car. You can look up more specific directions using the admissions address (Kenyon College Office of Admissions
106 College Park Drive. Gambier, Ohio 43022) but when I come from the airport I follow the signs to I-270 going N toward Cleveland (I think you have to get on I-670 for a few miles, but the signs are all pointing to 270, so look for those). You follow I-270 N until you hit I-71. You again go North toward Cleveland. You follow I-71 to U.S. 36. You exit and go east toward Mt. Vernon. You continue to follow 36 East to Mount Vernon. From South Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon, take Ohio 229 East (East Gambier Street). There are signs to Kenyon once you get into Mt. Vernon.
It is a bit tricky the first time, but you can call the admissions office if you get lost at any point along the way and they’ll help you get on the right track. My mom and I have never gotten lost coming that way, but my dad did so maybe it is 50/50 
I would suggest scheduling a tour for the hour after you expect to get to campus just in case. That way, you won’t have to worry about being late. If something does happen, not to worry. We have tours every hour for most of the day. Being a tour guide, I highly suggest you take a tour. There are also information sessions and lunch with a student offered on Fridays. Sitting in on a class is helpful to get an idea of what the style is like here and she can see what is expected of students every day. If you want to schedule any of these things, just call the admissions office and they’ll work out a schedule including all of the events you plan on attending (the number is 800-848-2468 / 740-427-5776).
When you are here, you should plan to have time to just stroll around the campus and explore it. Fun fact: Forbes named is as one of the most beautiful campuses in the world. The tour is only an hour and it is hardly enough time to see everything. Also, you should try lunch at the deli or the Village Inn. The coffee shop, Middle Ground, has really good cookies, so you can’t miss those.
Have a great trip to Gambier!</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips. Also will be bringing accepted D to Gambier to take a look. Suggestions on the best place to stay the night for me? Can she stay in a dorm?</p>
<p>boildegg,</p>
<p>I have noticed your posts on many of the same colleges that my s was interested in. Ultimately he decided Kenyon topped his list and applied ed. When we visited we flew into Columbus and then took a car service to campus. We stayed at the Kenyon Inn which is right in the middle of campus. I recommend it if you can get a room as it is small. Good luck!</p>
<p>boiledegg,</p>
<p>I agree with dramamama. The Kenyon Inn is a great place to stay. It is difficult to get reservations there, however, so I have a few other recomendations. First, there is the Gambier Inn, the Mt. Vernon Inn, and there is also a Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon if you can’t get the other options to work.
Your daughter can elect to stay with a student, but you’ll need to call the admissions office and see what they’ve got available. They offer overnights on Sunday, Monday and Thursday. This link should help you out: [Overnight</a> Visits to Kenyon - Visit Campus - Kenyon College](<a href=“http://www.kenyon.edu/x1760.xml]Overnight”>http://www.kenyon.edu/x1760.xml).
Congratulations to your daughter!</p>
<p>dramamama1234- Thanks so much! I just sent you a PM.</p>
<p>kenyontourguide- Thanks for the tips! We are looking forward to coming to Gambier and hopefully can get our plans solidified by the end of this week or early next week.</p>
<p>Hi Kenyontourguide!</p>
<p>I got my great acceptance package in the mail and I am really excited about Kenyon. I did have one worry though. I spent some time on campus during the summer and I was able to get a “feel” for what’s it like, and for me it was quiet. However, I came at a time when very little students were there. A classmate of mine who considered applying spent some time there during the school year and was scared by the drug/party scene. Is there a lot of partying at Kenyon? How much of a presence are the Greek societies? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I’ll answer for the heck of it and kenyontourguide and tack on if she (or he) wishes.
Is there a party scene? Yes, but it’s nothing more than you’re going to find at any comparable college, and by comparison to most state schools, Kenyon is pretty tame. As far as drug use goes, it’s pretty limited and almost always behind closed doors. Greek organization do handle a lot of the party scene as far as hosting goes and stuff, but only something like 20% of students are in a frat or sorority. I don’t think you have to worry about Kenyon being too quiet or there being any pressure to party if you don’t want to.</p>
<p>Kenyontourguide-</p>
<p>The other schools I’m considering are among the ones you listed in your first post, with the exception of one school (Tufts). Can you speak a little bit about the differences between Kenyon, Colorado College, Macalester, and Bates, besides the obvious? I’m most interested in the personality of the student body, the intensity of the workload, and the prevalence of the party scene. I would greatly appreciate it!!</p>
<p>how is the social scene?</p>
<p>iamthinking,</p>
<p>Sorry to be so slow, I’ve been buried under a huge pile of work this week!
To answer your question, I’m not sure what your friend saw/experienced here so I’ll just tell you how I see it. While this is not a particularly Greek school (Only about 20%, probably a little less), they are active on the weekends and they do throw parties. The whole school is invited to them, so no one is ever left out. If that is not what you want to do, the “party scene” here also includes random, causal gatherings in apartments and rooms where people just hang out and relax. That is mostly what I do, but there are always other options. Basically, you can find a group of people that want to do what you want to do (even if that is just watch movies or make cookies or something ). I agree with foolsgold. I don’t think Kenyon is any more of a party school than anywhere else, but it is also not quiet. I think that most people are just surprised that we have so much going on on the weekends because it is so small.
If you got a good “feel” for the school when you were here for yourself, I would trust that. Try to go with your gut!
Kenyontourguide</p>
<p>ljp0119,</p>
<p>I think that the small liberal arts schools that I was looking at (and it sounds like you want) have a lot of things in common. They all have a similar teaching philosophy based in a liberal arts education (CC is a but different with the block schedule, but the main ideas are there). Now that we’ve established that, I think it is important to consider the aspects about each college that you can’t really read on a website or college guide. I chose Kenyon because of the feeling I got when I visited here, but I’ll do my best to compare.
Kenyon: There is a real community here that I really enjoy. The students are welcoming and nice. We have a lot of hipsters here, but most liberal arts colleges are full of them as well. Not too preppy, but people are generally fashion-conscious. Everyone I know has a close group of friends that share their interests (even though we have a huge variety of types of students). We have partiers and Star Wars junkies, people who are always working and people who seem like they never work, athletes and people who have only ever played quidditch as a sport so I’m not sure that there is a type, but it should be comforting to know that chances are there are people here who share your interests whatever they may be.
The workload can be pretty intense. It will depend on your specific schedule and major, but the professors will all expect a lot of work from you. It is a top-tier school, so you can expect lots of work, but a great education.
There is a party scene here, but I don’t think it is anything more or less than most colleges. I talked a bit about it in my previous post, so check that out. In short, you will always be able to find something fun to do.
Bates: My impression is that Bates is a bit preppier than Kenyon (perhaps they get more preppy east cost kids? Not sure). It is pretty similar to Kenyon because it is also in the middle of nowhere. I think they have a more active Greek scene there (with a higher percent of the student body participating). I would think that the party scene would be similar to Kenyon, but I’m not sure. I would guess that there is also a lot of work. I guess the main difference is just the feel of the school (Kenyon is more spread out but it is all about the college here whereas Bates spreads in and out of the town it is in). Kenyon and Bates are probably the most similar and they are really common overlap schools. If you have visited both, then you should go off of your personal feelings on both. I really liked Bates, I just liked Kenyon more.
CC is unique. It is Colorado Springs, CO, which is a beautiful place. I’m from Colorado so I might be a little partial. Colorado Springs is a cool place to live. CC does have a block schedule (I can explain that if you haven’t heard about it). The students are a little more hippie and liberal there. They are all active, and I think a lot of them take advantage of being in Colorado. It is tough school academically, but the block schedule has its own unique challenges. Again, I think the party scene there is pretty average, but you’d have to ask someone who goes there.
I actually stopped looking at Macalester because I didn’t want to live in St. Paul so I don’t know too much about it.
Honestly, the best way to make this choice is to visit everywhere and form your own opinion of what the school is to you.
If you have any other specific questions, let me know.
kenyontourguide</p>
<p>Scholarkid6,</p>
<p>The social scene is best described as active. There are tons of drama and music performances (by students and by people we bring to the college), parties on the weekends (Greek or otherwise), and games (IM sports and varsity). I think prospective students looking at colleges focus too much on “What is there to do?” In college, the question is more “What can’t I do?” You will be super busy with school stuff, but in your free time, you will treasure the moments when you can relax and hang out. There is plenty to do.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Kenyontourguide</p>
<p>Dear KenyonTourGuide (and all the ships at sea),</p>
<p>My daughter got accepted at Kenyon this past week, and got some scholarship money and good student aid, too. We’re very excited! She visited there this past fall and plans on visiting for the April overnight, and she loves the feel of the place. It seems like such a good fit for her intellectually and socially. But she was disappointed by what she perceived as the limited studio arts department there when she attended a sculpture class there this past fall. She has spent her high school getting great great grades in all subjects but dying to have the opportunity to work in 3D arts: sculpture, crafts, jewelry making and metals, which her high school has very limited facilities for. She also got accepted at VCUArts (Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond). VCU – even VCUArts – is beneath her academically, I feel, but VCU has admitted her into their honors program that would allow her to be with the brightest kids for 21 hours of the 120, and they’ve given her a full tuition and fees scholarship. And what an art facility! U.S. News ranks it #4 overall and #1 for sculpture (the graduate program, of course, but they make a good point that all graduate professors teach the undergraduates, too). She’d get a BFA and so have 2/3 of her coursework in art. She points out that all of Kenyon’s sculpture classes are taught by only one professor. I say that a BA in studio arts from Kenyon would be plenty to get her into an MFA program later. I point out that she loves literature and biology – along with a rural setting – and that Kenyon has good biology and an unbeatable English department. I feel almost sick that she’s strongly considering giving up the opportunity to go to Kenyon because of the limited facilities in studio arts; she really loves Kenyon otherwise. Do you have any perspective or thoughts that might help us? Thank you!</p>
<p>how early are you allowed to study abroad? also, i know at any college juggling work is gonna be difficult but what is the degree of it at kenyon? are freshman allowed to have cars?</p>
<p>BurntNorton,</p>
<p>First of all, congratulations to your daughter on all of her acceptances. She is very lucky to have such great options. In my opinion (which I will admit is probably biased), she should get her undergraduate degree from Kenyon. She can major in Studio Art here and she can add a double major or a minor that can compliment her interests. This will make her a more well-rounded applicant for any future programs (like an MFA program) later. She should put her best foot forward. Now, in defense of the art program at Kenyon, I think we actually have tons of opportunities that might be harder to get at a more art-focused program. She will get incredible one on one instruction here that I think is difficult to pass up. The professors are all top-notch and they are all exhibiting artists and they know a lot about the field. This is a great link to see what could be ahead for her if she came here: [Student</a> Opportunities - Art - Kenyon College](<a href=“http://www.kenyon.edu/x41852.xml]Student”>http://www.kenyon.edu/x41852.xml).
In short, I think it is too early to narrow down her focus to just one thing. She can major in studio art and English or studio art and biology and really make herself appealing to graduate programs. For undergrad, it is all about setting yourself up to specialize in grad school. Now, that is only my opinion. It really depends on where she feels the happiest. It would be a shame if she came to Kenyon and was left wishing she had gone to VCU. It is a tough choice because the outcomes could be drastically different.
If you would like, you can private message me and I’ll give you my email/phone number so she can call me herself. I can talk to her about Kenyon’s strengths and go over the studio art major with her. I think we really do have a lot to offer motivated art students. There is a lot of freedom here that she might not get anywhere else.
Good luck
Kenyontourguide</p>
<p>I’ve noticed that the stereotype for Kenyon students leans a bit on the preppy side. How true is this reputation? Furthermore, how geek-friendly is Kenyon? Will I be able to find others who share my interest in science fiction and other hobbies considered geeky?</p>
<p>ScholarKid6
At Kenyon, you study abroad your junior year. There are possible exceptions, but I’ve never heard about it. About 50% of each junior class will study abroad.
The workload here depends on how you schedule your classes. You will always be busy because it is an academically demanding school, but there is a little flexibility. I can guarantee that you will have a lot of work, but I think the professors are very fair about helping you out if you need it and they will also try to accommodate you if you need an extension (not every time, but sometimes). There is of course going to be more work than high school, but as long as you manage your time well, you’ll be fine I promise!
Freshmen are allowed to have cars. I would recommend a bike though instead because it is more practical.
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Kenyontourguide</p>
<p>Hoppyfrood,
Kenyon is not a very preppy place. There are preppy people here, but when compared to other notoriously preppy schools, we really don’t have that many preppy kids. I would say that we do have a lot of hipsters here (like pretty much every other college right now). I myself am relatively preppy (I wear J. Crew, gap, etc but I have other stuff too!), but people dress in almost every style.
Now, Kenyon is VERY geek-friendly! You will undoubtedly be able to find a group of people who share your interests (however nerdy or geeky they are!). You would never really have to worry about being left out. Kenyon has a wide spectrum of student interests so never fear!
Let me know if you think of any more questions!
Kenyontourguide</p>