<p>A couple things are keeping me from applying (so far):
One is that I've heard Knox is a little cliquey, whatever that means.
Another is that I've heard it's fairly isolated, away from any places to do research/volunteer etc (I'm planning on being pre-med). </p>
<p>If anyone is on this forum and can comment, I'd appreciate it.</p>
<p>A friend of mine got his acceptance letter from Knox a couple of weeks ago. He did not feel out of place when he visited, nor did it seem cliquey.</p>
<p>Nope, as per my D who is freshman at Knox and had some problems making friends while in HS. No cliquey, people are friendly and accepting. My D visited her cousin at other school / also small LAC/ and made comment that people at Knox much nicer. Isolation is a factor if you are city person and need city lights/ life to accompany your college life. Galesburg is 35K population and while it has some nice cafe/ restaurants/ stores it is not a Chicago. It is 3 hrs from Chicago though. If you are looking for interships possibilites Knox has very good relationship with many hospitals/ companies so getting internship is not a problem. There is plenty of volunteering opportunities as well. As a matter of fact I know one girl from Seattle who got internship at Seattle from Knox connections.
When you think that 12% of Knox graduates do go to med schools- it is huge number comparing to most similar schools sending 3-5%.</p>
<p>I visited Know a couple months ago, before the visit it was one of my top choices. I'm not even applying now. on the visit one of the first things I noticed was a lot of the students seemed unfriendly. most of the colleges I have visited students will smile or say hello when we walk by. At Knox they seemed to look away. they seemed to be in pretty small goups in the cafeteria as well.
Other colleges students have given us directions the second it looks like we don't know exactly where we going, at Knox, they didn't notice, and when we did ask they usually couldn't tell us.</p>
<p>I'm not saying Knox is bad for everyone, I'm sure you'll find great people at any school, I'm just saying that it seemed noticibly unfriendly, and was really not the atmosphere I wanted.
Everyone interest in Knox should visit and judge for themselves though.</p>
<p>VeganActress - maybe you visited during finals week? </p>
<p>I would say that when we visited Knox, we found the students, teachers and administrators to be the MOST friendly of any school. In fact, my freshman HS daughter came along and wanted to just sit and read. Students and staff kept coming up to her and asking if she'd like to sit in on a class, go on a tour, etc.</p>
<p>When my daughter overnighted at Knox, she found the school very friendly. She got lost and ended up in the wrong classroom and a girl noticed and not only told her how to get to the right room but took her across campus and made sure she found the correct class room. She has made many friends from all walks of life. She has not found it cliquey at all. She likes the professors, her advisor and has even been able to talk to the president as he out and about. She has been involved in more volunteer activities than she ever was in high school. Give Knox a chance!</p>
<p>As a recent Knox graduate ('06), I have to say it's about the best school on the planet. I got a BS in biochemistry and am now a PhD student at U of Florida in the Biomedical sciences program, so I can speak to your pre-med concerns a bit. It is a little isolated, being in a small midwestern town, but there are two hospitals in Galesburg, and I'm sure you could intern with either of them or a private practice in the area. The career center would be more than happy to help set up 'shadowing' practitioners and such. I'm not sure if you're aware of our early admission programs to the medical schools of Rush University in Chicago and George Washington University in DC, but here's a two links regarding premed prep and those early admission programs: <a href="http://www.knox.edu/medicine.xml%5B/url%5D">http://www.knox.edu/medicine.xml</a>
<a href="http://www.knox.edu/premedearlyadmission.xml%5B/url%5D">http://www.knox.edu/premedearlyadmission.xml</a></p>
<p>One of my close friends did the early admission Rush program, and he's loving his studies there so far.</p>
<p>Here's my take on the cliquey thing: Sure, there are a few cliques. A couple of good ole boys and sorority girls and sometimes a few theater kids will be a little standoffish, but that's the exception rather than the norm. I promise. The cafeteria thing is totally dependent on time of day - it wasn't unusually for my group of buddies to physically rearrange the tables so there was enough space for all of us to have dinner together (Table arranging is a Knox art :) ) I have good friends from all over the world (literally) from attending Knox, and I miss them every single day now that I'm not at school. The bonds between Knox friends are very, very strong.</p>
<p>The whole school is super friendly. What may have been perceived as unfriendliness by VeganActress might be the Knox inward focus - There's so much going on academically and socially that you don't really notice what's going on outside your head as you're walking to class. It's not an easy school, but it's well worth it, trust me! </p>
<p>I'll try to check back here, in case anyone has questions - I'd be happy to answer. Actually, here's my email address: <a href="mailto:jennidavids@sbcglobal.net">jennidavids@sbcglobal.net</a> - If I can't answer it personally, I'll ask one of my alum or current student friends. :)</p>
<p>And no, I don't work for Knox, i just adore my alma mater!</p>
<p>Cliquey School"? Are we certain that we are talking about Knox College - the Home of the Prairie Fire - in Galesburg, Illinois? As an alum, I realize that I might have a bias view on the situation, but if one were to visit the campus, I am sure that we would ALL agree about the quality education that Knox provides, as well as its devotion towards its faculty and students.</p>
<p>During my college search, I received a college pamphlet from a school known as Knox College, a school of which I was unaware even existed. As my dad read the pamphlet time and time again, he said from the very beginning, "This is the school for you. I feel it in my gut!" To make a long story short, I visited Knox via plane, train, and car several times, and was COMPLETELY satisfied with each visit. Not only are the professors exceptional in their fields of study, but they are also exceptional in the classrooms. Knox professors are accessible and friendly to students, which I noticed on my first visit. While I was observing a class, the professor turned and asked me a critical question, and instead of pointing out that I was unfamiliar with the subject, he said that my answer was one of many that would certainly apply to the question! At that moment, I thought to myself, Knox College does not seek to influence students by telling them WHAT to think. Instead, it seeks to influence students by teaching them HOW to think. If you are passionate about getting a superior education, Knox College should be at the top of your list.</p>
<p>Aside from the academic arena, Knox encourages its students to participate in various clubs, organizations, intramural sports, as well as collegiate athletics. In short, Knox students work hard AND play hard. </p>
<p>Again, as an alum, I would love to answer any questions about my alma mater. Please contact me at <a href="mailto:mhbrown@knoxalumni.org">mhbrown@knoxalumni.org</a>. FYI, my majors were English Literature and Philosophy, so I have specific insight into these departments. If Knox is not your preferable choice, you sell yourself short.</p>
<p>Best,
Hays Brown ?04</p>
<p>P.S.
I challenge ANYONE to find a better cafeteria anywhere in the continental United States!! I love the ?Lunch Ladies,? and never, ever had one complaint during my four- year experience.</p>