<p>I know, these are two very different places but my daughter is debating between those them. Better academics or better social life. Is this a really what it gets down to?</p>
<p>FYI I posted this on the other thread that you started.</p>
<p>They are very different in feel. Grinnell is one of the best LAC’s around and is ranked very high. Tulane is very southern. The culture and weather could not be more different. My son got a lot of info from Tulane, but really liked Grinnell’s culture better and greatly respected the fact that there are no TA’s that teach classes at Grinnell. Grinnell is one of the most intellectual colleges in the country and is known for their stellar academics. The facilities are top notch as they have been on a buliding blitz in recent years. Grinnell has one of the largest endowments per capita in the country and they bring in incredible shows, arts and entertainment to campus. Everything is free for the students. Grinnell is in a very small town, but from talking with lots of the students that is not a problem as you are very busy with school work and the college does an incredible job offering lots of activities each week. The smallness also foster a very tight knit community feel. They also have free shuttles to Des Moines and Iowa city for those that really want to go shopping. I am not personally into rankings per se, but Grinnell is ranked very high in comparison and for some this is important. Although Grinnell is not a large research university it produces one of the highest number of future ph’ds per capita. It ranks seventh in that department and is known particularly for certain departments. Not sure what you want to major in. Grinnell is a very liberal college, but very accepting at the same time. What kind of school is your daughther looking for? What does she want to major in? Do you have more specific questions? Please let me know and I would be happy to answer them. I would also highly recommend going out there and visiting sometime.</p>
<p>Other than the fact that your daughter will probably have to work harder at Grinnell for the grades, why would the social life be better at Tulane? Is it the more urban environment? If that is important to her, then she would probably do well to pick Tulane because Grinnell is unappologetically rural. Is there some other aspect of the social life that makes her feel like she might be a better fit at Tulane?</p>
<p>Ultimately, at a small place, you have to feel like you fit in. If she is not going to be happy at Grinnell, then stronger academics aren’t going to make up for it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the thoughts and ideas, we will be visiting TU next week and then revisiting Grinnell the following week. She will probably have a better feeling after that.</p>
<p>Good idea crlsgrc. I always say that ultimately fit is the most important. I do agree with M’s Mom in that Grinnell will probably from everything that we have gathered be harder academically. Good luck and enjoy both your college visits.</p>
<p>I know absolutely nothing about Tulane, but I will say my son has enjoyed a wonderful social life at Grinnell. If your D is looking for a Greek type of social life, she won’t find that at Grinnell, but there are plenty of parties and other fun activities and the kids just enjoy hanging out together.</p>