<p>I am an international student and I plan to apply to Grinnell ED. After I checked Grinnell's ED admissions policies in the web site, I still need to clarify certain things. First, the college didn't state whether financial aid notification is given at the same time when admission notification is, i.e. December 20. Second, if an applicant supposedly learns in December that she/he did not receive sufficient financial assistance, is she/he still required to attend the college? I wrote to Grinnell but still have no replies. So, I would appreciate any information concerning these issues.</p>
<p>They didn't reply? That's weird; grinnell has always replied really quickly to my questions. Anyway. I think if the financial aid package they offer is not sufficient, then you don't have to go there. </p>
<p>It says in the little fin aid pamphlet deal: "You will be notified of financial aid eligibility with your admission decision by the following dates: Early Decision I - Dec. 20" There is also a Grinnell Int'l student grant that is based on financial need, can cover up to half the tuition.</p>
<p>You are right, they are prompt about replying. </p>
<p>So, I received a very discouraging e-mail which informed me that internationals are treated more generously during RD. Therefore, I'll have to reject the option of ED, though I do like that school.</p>
<p>In general, I don't think ED is a good path if you need financial aid. Grinnell is generally quite generous, however, and anxious to attract top international students. Congratulations on selecting such a fine school!</p>
<p>My college search was a laborious and complicated process, but it was worth it since I found Grinnell:) Although I was a little dejected by the fact that I cannot apply ED, I still consider Grinnell a top choice and would love to attend. Moreover, a woman from the admissions office assured me that applying under the RD plan was in no way a disadvantage.
Where do you intend to apply?</p>
<p>I'm a parent, Vessy. My son is a 2nd-year student at Grinnell. He was awarded a pretty decent merit scholarship, for which we're very grateful. He's having a great experience. Some students have trouble adjusting to the location - and find the middle of nowhere is too nowhere for them. My son never wanted to go to a big city, but sometimes he does wish Grinnell was in a little bigger town. On the other hand, he knows that the location contributes to the tightly knit community. He also applied to Oberlin, Colby, Bowdoin, Haverford, Carleton, Wesleyan and a few others.</p>
<p>Vesselina: I am currently sitting in the library at Grinnell, and let me tell you, this place is very awesome. I've been here since Thursday and I really do not want to go home. Maybe I'll see you here next year!</p>
<p>I apologize for the mistake I made. From your post I interpreted that you are student, but apparently I was wrong. What I find remarkable here is that there are many concerned and helpful parents in these forums and this is wonderful:) </p>
<p>RaboKarabekian, I would love to meet you in person some day! You made me so envious, I wish I were in Grinnell:)</p>
<p>No problem, Vesselina! At this point, I've been to Grinnell's campus 6-7 times, and, of course, I talk to my son - so I hope I have something worthwhile to contribute. But there's nothing like getting the perspective of a student. </p>
<p>Something that has not come up in this forum (lately) is Grinnell's endowment. Grinnell has one of the highest per capita endowments in the country - and this does translate into some very nice benefits for students. For a small LAC, the facilities are excellent - new science building which will be expanded in the future (not sure when), new arts building. In the area of student quality of life - there are 4 new dorms and construction is underway for a new gym/fitness center and student center/dining hall. The gym will open this year - and I think the student center will open the year after that - just in time for you! A number of these facilities were designed by Cesar Pelli who designed, among other things, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.</p>
<p>Beyond facilities, the endowment allows Grinnell to be generous with financial aid, sponsored internships, and faculty research. </p>
<p>I'd be interested to hear from RaboKarabekian as to whether or not you feel Grinnell still lives up to it's ultraliberal/alternative reputation? There's some sense that the student population is becoming a little more "mainstream" and, at the same time, there has been active discussion on campus about the need for more diversity of opinion on social and political issues.</p>
<p>I got the feeling that the Grinnell students were pretty offbeat. I did meet someone who was the quintessential college student, but she and her friends were so outstanding there that some of the other students had nicknamed them "The Plastics." (From Mean Girls) I went there on the thursday after the election, and no one was talking politics. However, I went to a poetry slam in Bob's underground (which was awesome) and a lot of the material was about gay marriage and being gay and had a generally liberal feel. I doubt anyone openly condemning gay marriage would survive at Grinnell. So I guess you could say there was a lack of diversity. Didn't hear the students complaining about it though.</p>
<p>There is an outdoor club or something, and a river that they canoe on, and general Iowa-ness I suppose. I don't think the students just randomly go out and commune with nature, and there seems to be a lot to do on campus. It isn't like Swarthmore, where the nature seems to be encroaching on the civilized world.</p>
<p>There's the Grinnell Outdoor Recreation Club. From their website: "Off campus activities offer students an opportunity to participate in various outdoor recreation activities in a relaxing environment. Popular activities include: caving, canoeing, horse rides, telemark skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding. A physical education sailing class offers instruction in both keelboat and dingy sailing. GORP offers about 25-30 off campus activities per year."</p>
<p>The town is small and not much to look at. The surrounding countryside is pretty with rolling hills. (I expected Iowa to be flat In about 3 minutes, you can be out in the country. The school owns a prarie preserve about 10 miles from campus.</p>