<p>Although we were not able to attend the open house today (Columbus Day 10/13/08), it would be great to get impressions from those who were able to participate. Did you think that, on the whole, the atmosphere was upbeat, students very content and school spirit quite enthusiastic? Any comments regarding students' challenges integrating their studies with varsity athletics programs would also be much appreciated. Quite frankly, any and all impressions of the current atmosphere at Rhodes would be very welcomed as we live quite far away and our son's first visit will not be for many months yet...thanks so much.</p>
<p>Hi! I'm a senior at Rhodes and absolutely love it! In regards to your question, although Rhodes is a small school, there is a lot of school spirit here. Tailgating, dressing up for football games and hosting chili cook offs on game days are a big part of the social scene here, in which almost everyone on campus participates. Another thing I love about Rhodes is the inclusive enviornment and professor who go out of their way to help students in any way they can. I have had several professors who have written me great rec letters, helped me find internships, and have definitely challenged me academically.</p>
<p>Koveacre, thank you so much for your comments. They were great to receive and it's good to hear that you "absolutely love it"! Wishing you continued success....and GO LINX!</p>
<p>It's great to see a posting from a current student. My daughter ('10) is applying next year...</p>
<p>Ditto on the thanks - Rhodes is one of my senior D's top choices, and as an athlete it is good to know that students on campus support their teams!</p>
<p>koveracre, why don't you share your major and some of the prof's that have made an impression? I'm sure these folks would like to hear from someone other than me. ;) BTW, D is a junior and she loves it, too.</p>
<p>I am an English Lit. major and an Art History minor--a true liberal arts degree. The best part about Rhodes for me has definitely been my professors--I really can't say enough good things about them. Over the course of my time here at Rhodes they have become some of my most trusted mentors, respected colleagues and really great friends. My very favorite professors are my advisor since freshman year, Prof. Haas (women's studies/search-lit. track), Prof. Coonin (art history-renaissance art), Prof. Bigelow (lit.) and Prof. Brady (lit.). Each of these professors have added so much to my college experience and take a true interest in their student's work, but also the student's themselves. Prof. Bigleow and Brady are particularly challenging, but whenever they push you as a student they are always willing to offer the support necessary to get to that next level.<br>
I took Prof. Coonin's 300 level Italian Renaissance Art course as a freshman--I didn't realize that 300 meant it was difficult! He helped me throughout the course (which had a lot of majors in it) and was so enthusiastic about his field that I ended up falling in love with the Italian Renaissance. As a result I ended up spending a semester abroad in Florence to study Renaissance art and Dante (thanks to Prof. Haas).</p>
<p>Thanks again Koveacre; just wondering, do students enroll in independent studies courses with their professors for upper-level courses, just to be able to do something a little out of the box? Also, would you think that it would be possible to double major, say in business and English lit, or would that just get too complicated at a school like Rhodes? Finally, could you please tell me if, in your opinion, most students live on campus and stay put there for the weekend? Your comments are very helpful and appreciated!</p>
<p>Hi all! Well, a double major in English Lit and Business would definitely be a challenge at Rhodes, as it would at any school. However, it is certainly possible. I have a minor in Art History and studied abroad in Florence my junior year for a semester and am still able to graduate on time easily. In reality, it would be very difficult to study abroad with a double major in Lit. and Business, as they are two of the majors with the highest number of credit requirements. Also, none of the Business & Lit courses overlap, unlike a double major in International Studies and Business. However, the academic advisors here are so amazing and are willing to help their students achieve whatever goals they may have. I was assigned my advisor when I first got to school for orientation and absolutely adore her. She has been so supportive of all of my academic goals and been constantly available to me to help plan my schedule to fulfill degree requirements, helped me secure a great internship, and also wrote me many recommendation letters that helped me get a scholarship to study Dante and Boticelli in Italy. I can't say enough good things about her. The professors at Rhodes will do everything they can to accomadate the students, especially the ones ambitious enought to take on a double major. It would be a challenge, but what a great background for any career!</p>
<p>As for living on campus, most students do to choose to stay and live in the castle-like dorms. I have lived here all four years and absolutely love it. It is very safe and well kept up (you can put in a "work order" 24/7 and have a repair person out to fix whatever you need within a few hours--whether you need help moving furniture, fixing a leaky sink, or even hanging drapes). The staff on campus is really great. It is really fun living on campus actually. I am currently living in East Village, the apartment style dorms, with 3 of my best friends. We have had so much fun cooking together, watching movies, and making smores in the fire pit outside of our dorm this year. My experience with living on campus is fairly typical: almost all students stay on campus over the weekends unless their is a big holiday (and even than about 20% of students stay at Rhodes). There are always so many activities going on around campus that students rarely want to get off campus. For example, the week before Thanksgiving holiday there was a Sushi night, where students could make and eat their own sushi for free, a winter weather impromptu cookout, a game of Capture the Flag, and a Pie Night, where one of the Resident Advisors cooked a variety of pies for everyone to enjoy. There are also several career seminars that are held on campus, one of which I recently attended on careers in PR/marketing and what to do with an English major. They are really helpful and it is fun to meet some of the alumni and learn about their career paths. Also, there are several parties around campus, most recently a cult favorite called New Year's in November, hosted by a fraternity. It is so fun to dress up and go out, especially since most people are still at home for the real New Years. I would highly recommend living on campus-it is so safe at all hours of the day and night and so much fun!</p>
<p>One quick comment: some students do enroll in upper level independent studies courses with professors, although most of them do not. Those that do, however, have had the opportunity to do some really cool things. One of my friends is a physics majors and got to present his research to NASA with his professor and 4 other students--they even got invited to test their experience in a zero-gravity simulator. Another project that I have heard about recently is in archaeology, where students get the chance to have a hands-on experience at a dig site of an antebellum plantation house in eastern TN. From what I have heard, the students learn a great deal about the process of archaeological excavation, as well as dating and documenting their work. One of my classmates is a history major and working on a project with her professor to document the graves in an African American graveyard from the days of slavery and the Civil War. Hundred of bodies are buried there without gravemarkers and their goal is to trace those that are buried there so that there families can know where their ancestors are buried. One of the best independent studies programs I have heard about is through St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where several of my biology and chemistry major friends are literally researching to find a cure for several specific types of cancer. There are lots of great opportunities here for learning outside of the classroom. If there is anything more specific I can help with please do let me know. Hope you get to visit Rhodes soon!</p>
<p>Koveacre,
Thank you so much for your detailed response. Based on your comments, I can imagine that the students find it really difficult to leave after four short years! I mean, come on....such fabulous intellectual stimulation, supportive profs, AND fire pits outside your castle-like dorms for roasting s'mores? Not to mention work orders that are fulfilled by maintenance 24/7? Life is Good. And most importantly, the student body that you portray at Rhodes sounds awesome, as are you! Thank you! And much obliged, Curmudgeon, for the suggestion that Koveacre share more details with us.</p>
<p>Awww. You're making me blush. ;)</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing your experiences, koveracre.</p>
<p>And as no one has mentioned... the swimming pool is pretty amazing too. I loved Rhodes....</p>