<p>My daughter is having trouble deciding between Grinnell, St. Olaf and University of Minnesota honors program. She has visited all 3 and does not know what she will major in. We think that she might get the best education at Grinnell with their small classes sizes. We just aren't sure if she'll find her niche socially at Grinnell. She doesn't want to drink/use drugs. She hopes she will find others that feel the same way. She is politically liberal and open-minded. Could she fit in at Grinnell?</p>
<p>Friends have told me that St. Olaf's "dry" campus is not dry. Does anyone out there have an opinion on which school she might fit in best with? Thanks!</p>
<p>First of all, congratulations to your daughter on getting into great schools!
I am not currently attending Grinnell, but I plan on matriculating this fall (just sent in my deposit today!). From what I have gathered, a noticeable portion of the students there do not drink/do drugs, so your daughter would not feel out of place. Also, Grinnell is well renowned for the political activism of their student population, and being an LAC, it is overwhelmingly liberal. Open mindedness is the very foundation of this school. I think your daughter would fit in perfectly. Also, I think Grinnell could provide your daughter with a better all-around education, especially since she doesn't know what her major is yet.</p>
<p>About St. Olafs, I think that the reason its not considered "dry" is because the students there who want to party go across Northfield to Carleton, which from what I hear has quite the drinking scene.</p>
<p>My son is a first-year at Grinnell. It is a wonderful school! There are plenty of students that drink and plenty that do not. My son asked for a substance free dorm. He didn't get that exactly, but the college grouped the kids who couldn't get sub-free together on one floor of a dorm. He says he doesn't have any problem finding friends who aren't wild partiers. He goes to some of the parties, passes on some others. There are tons of activities that don't involve drinking. Tons. Feel free to ask me questions here or pm me.</p>
<p>It is very easy at St. Olaf for students to not drink and still fit in. I'm a sophomore, and have never felt much pressure to imbibe while still having a fairly active social life. There is also not much of a drug culture (at least that I'm aware of :-))</p>
<p>my daughter, a sophmore at Grinnell, couldn't be bribed to drink, not even soft drinks (although I hear she has succumbed to hot chocolate with caffeine?) and has never been pressured to drink, even though she has friends who do. It has never come up as an issue and we chat/email a lot, I have no reason to think she would hide this.</p>
<p>The new Grinnell Magazine arrived in the mail today and the very first article is about the social scene by a student who doesn't drink. She sounds like she's pretty comfortable with her choice and doesn't feel socially isolated-the key seems to be avoiding a judgemental attitude towards those who do.</p>
<p>Like bethievt's son, our son has requested substance free housing. He says he'll feel more comfortable living with kids whose idea of fun is more like his own. I hope he gets it, but even if he doesn't, I'm betting both he and your daughter will not feel socially isolated.</p>
<p>Oh, I'm quite sure she'll love it! Dear son has been home 2 days and already looks forward to going back. If you have questions, you can ask me here or pm me. It is a wonderful community of learners--and they know how to celebrate too!</p>
<p>Congratulations to your daughter, momMB! I just returned from my son's graduation from Grinnell, which took place this morning. He had a wonderful experience (and he's a non-drinker, by the way, re your earlier post). He is stepping into the real world fully prepared, thanks to his four years of formation at Grinnell. I'm sure your daughter will find the same support and encouragement that he did. Enjoy the next few years--believe me, they will go by very quickly!</p>