Grinnell vs. Earlham vs. other LACs?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I have heard back from all of my schools except Wesleyan and Swarthmore. I'm assuming I will be rejected to both of them but if I am not, I will update this!</p>

<p>Earlham would end up being about 1500 dollars per year cheaper. On top of that, they will take all of my 3500 merit money where Grinnell might just reduce my grant although I am not sure on this yet.</p>

<p>I have visited Earlham and I loved it. I have not visited Grinnell but will do so before May 1st. Earlham seems like a fantastic, balanced place. Their pros: slightly cheaper, fantastic new darkroom and science building, opportunity to play varsity sport. Cons: less rigorous academically, not as well known, Richmond was pretty awful, no access to gluten free food in cafeteria (for medical reasons), didn't really seem to have an outdoor program</p>

<p>Grinnell's pros: huge endowment, almost the same cost but for a "better" school (more value), greater opportunities to be get into medical school, possibly quirkier (I dress weirdly and am a tad odd)
Cons: only one enlarger in darkroom, weather?, slightly more expensive, not sure about town and food as I haven't visited.</p>

<p>I plan to study science of some sort. I know that Earlham apparently has very well known science programs, but so does Grinnell. Which is the better school to study science? I am thinking chem, biochem, or environmental science although these are all subject to change. </p>

<p>I am interested in social justice and activism but it appears both schools are super involved in these. Which school is more dedicated? I also want the school I attend to be very diverse as this hasn't been very available in the PNW. I want to be able to use a darkroom as well as have access to the outdoors frequently. I also want a really tight knit, academically focused community that also has tons of fun and shenanigans on the weekend.</p>

<p>In the future, I might want to go into medicine (medical school) but I'm also interested in doing research and obtaining a PhD. Long story short, I will pursue more education after a undergrad.</p>

<p>Both schools would be financially quite plausible. Although Earlham has a slight edge, I would most likely be able to get through either one without any (or minimal) loans. That being said, any money I can save would be great because I can use it for further education.</p>

<p>That being said, I do have a few other options if anyone is willing to make a case as to why I should spend more for them. I have kind of stopped considering them.
Macalester: 8500 more per year more than Earlham, still cheaper than in state.
Whitman and Willamette: 12000 more per year than Earlham, about in state tuition.
Pitzer: Waitlisted. Don't really think I'm going to take the spot. Opinions?
Wesleyan/Swarthmore: most likely rejected.</p>

2

<p>Sounds like the costs of Grinnell and Earlham are close enough so that money should NOT be the deciding factor between those two. Academics at Grinnell will probably be more rigorous and intense, which is not to say that you wouldn’t get a great education at earlham. As for the feel of the place, you should do an overnight visit. I visited Grinnell twice and thought the students looked interesting, diverse, a bit on the grungy side. I remember my wife commenting that no one on campus seemed to own a comb! But you should go see for yourself. Sounds like you’ve got some great choices!</p>

3

<p>You should definitely visit Grinnell. I’d describe it as a little more mainstream and status-conscious than Earlham. People can go ahead and jump on me for this comment but it definitely seems to have a growing influence of the wealthy east coast kids who attend–this is something we observed and is also confirmed by what some of my Grinnell alum friends have said. We also had our worst tour guide ever there–kind of a jarhead sports kid, not intellectual at all…all he wanted to talk about was north-versus-south campus rivalries and partying. We got no sense at all of the “life of the mind” there, even though we know it exists. i was actually very surprised that the college thought this student would be a good ambassador for the school.</p>

<p>We also know a kid at Earlham–and in fact just ran into him the other day. He loves it. And he sounds a lot like you…quirky and smart.</p>

<p>I would also add that I don’t think there is any evidence that the rigor of academics increases with higher rankings. My son is at an Earlham-like school (after being accepted at a number of higher-ranked LACs) and he is working very, very hard for his grades…something he never had to do at his competitive high school.</p>

4

<p>That’s funny because I don’t own a comb! I never brush my hair haha</p>

<p>These two comments are slightly contradictory. On one hand I’m getting that Grinnellians are off-beat and on the other that they are more mainstream. Now I’m a little confused. Obviously the “edgy-ness” of a student body wouldn’t make or break me deciding to go there but I want to feel at home. I take a class at Reed so I’m very used to wearing crazy clothes and not getting a second glance. Which I like!! That’s one thing that deterred me from Whitman. The over-all preppier, sorority girl feel I got. At least more so than Earlham.</p>

<p>I am not saying Grinnell is more rigorous because it is higher ranked. I simply have heard, from a plethora of sources, that it is very rigorous. On the other hand, Earlham might be a little more well-rounded and socially aware. Can anyone comment on this?</p>

<p>Any input on which school would better prepare me for my future career goals? It is interesting Grinnell has an environmental concentration instead of major. My prof at Reed said this is favorable since it actually allows depth in a subject which is usually not possible with an environmental science major.</p>

5

<p>I think one’s definition of “offbeat” has to do with context. We live in a progressive midwestern city, and inside what I would call the “Granola Belt” of that city…perhaps like a mini Portland. My kids’ school is incredibly diverse and tolerant with every imaginable type of person in the student body. For someone coming from a more homogenous environment, perhaps Grinnell would seem more “edgy.” It just didn’t to us. But it is a great school, and I am sure you would feel welcome there.</p>

6

<p>As someone who has a student at Grinnell, but who never visited Earlham, I can say that the best description of the ethos I heard of Grinnellians came from a CC poster who noted their “come as you are” attitude. This means, be who you are. If you don’t want to comb your hair, don’t. If you want to dress stylishly, then do. If you want to stay up all night discussing intellectual interests, then do it. If you want to stay up all night drinking, then do it. (and if you want to do both at the same time, feel free).</p>

<p>I don’t think the “quirky” label means that you HAVE to be “quirky” to go there, but it does mean that whatever your interests, passions and methods of self-expression, your ability to be who you are is respected. (with an exception for far right political beliefs – not libertarianism, of which there are quite a few on campus – but more in the realm of being against equality for gays, for example. If one’s political beliefs are like this, then that would be a bit tough to be who you are there, I will be honest).</p>

7

<p>Sally305, I will take you up on your offer to jump on you for your flip remark about the “influence of wealthy East Coast kids.” Go to the stats. Grinnell has a higher percentage of students receiving FA than Earlham. Grinnell has a more even distribution of students from around the country: Earlham gets a far higher concentration from the East Coast…</p>

<p>Here is a comparison:</p>

<p>[Where</a> Does Your Freshman Class Come From? - Facts & Figures - The Chronicle of Higher Education](<a href=“http://chronicle.com/article/Interactive-Freshman-Class/129547#id=153384]Where”>http://chronicle.com/article/Interactive-Freshman-Class/129547#id=153384)</p>

<p>[Where</a> Does Your Freshman Class Come From? - Facts & Figures - The Chronicle of Higher Education](<a href=“http://chronicle.com/article/Interactive-Freshman-Class/129547#id=150455]Where”>http://chronicle.com/article/Interactive-Freshman-Class/129547#id=150455)</p>

<p>I am not dissing Earlham: just trying to show you that the comment about Grinnell is flippant and based on hearsay. </p>

<p>Grinnellians treasure the school’s diversity – when the president put the concept of eliminating need-blind admissions on the table for discussion the uproar was huge. (This is not to say that President Kington was in favor of getting rid of need-blind admission, but just that he felt that the school should openly look at all options when considering its financial future.)</p>

8

<p>SDonCC, I will defer to you as you have far more experience than I. Again, my perceptions are based on one visit and the impressions of several good friends–alums who have commented on the changes they have observed since Grinnell was “discovered.” </p>

<p>Having said that, I don’t think stats tell the whole story about a campus “vibe.” To use a different analogy, a college could have only 20% membership in fraternities and sororities but still give off the sense that the Greek scene is dominant. Visiting is really the only way to get at least an initial impression of the way a college “feels” and whether it “fits,” which is why I suggested (twice) that the OP visit Grinnell.</p>

9

<p>I 100% agree with the decision to visit. That is why my S picked Grinnell – once the decisions came in, he tried to do a spreadsheet, and on paper, Grinnell wouldn’t have won out (primarily due to location, not the rural, but the greater difficulty in getting there), but it was the place where he felt most at home.</p>

10

<p>Rather than a rich kids place, Grinnell does seem to have a “hipster” reputation, but again, even that is so overblown. My S is about as far as you can be from being a hipster as are his friends, from what I can see. </p>

<p>And, while the alums think that Grinnell has been discovered, it still is a place where students have to go there because they want to be there and not because it is a name that will impress people. The t-shirt sold in the bookstore “Where the hell is Grinnell; Who the hell cares?” is still a hot-seller. </p>

<p>I think that’s one reason why it’s considered a school good for hipsters – you have to know about it to go there, be willing to take yourself to – gasp – the middle of the country, and buck the prevailing winds of East Coast prestige…</p>

11

<p>Frankly, I have no idea how rich kids would make their presence known at Grinnell anyway. Everything (or just about everything) on campus is free. What are they going to blow the big bucks on? A night out on the town? My S and his friends go out for dinner sometimes and trust me, these places are all geared to local budgets.</p>

<p>A fancy car? Doubt it. </p>

<p>All parties are open to all students. Every Saturday night, the Student Association runs a themed party in the Harris Center. Any individual party that is hosted in a campus facility HAS to be open to anyone. </p>

<p>The self-governance system is still the underpinning of campus community and this creates a philosophy and an approach that says, “we are all in this together.” it doesn’t mean that Grinnellians don’t say what’s on their minds – they do plenty of that – or have conflicts, but it does mean that as members of a community they are responsibility TO and FOR each other.</p>

12

<p>A school is always going to undergo change – the experience of a student today is going to be different than the ones we had so I would discount alumni comments for anywhere, not just Grinnell. Oh the good old days. Why can’t they be like we were, perfect in every way?..</p>

<p>Don’t we all think these schools are spoiling our kids just a TAD too much with the fancy food stations in the dining hall? Come on, kids, we made do with mystery meat and one row of steam trays to choose from… </p>

<p>My point is that schools evolve and to expect a place to stay frozen in time – or even to match the perception of what a student body was like when viewed from the haze of memory is not really fair to students looking today. Some changes schools make alums will agree with; others they won’t.</p>

13

<p>Parent chiming in – my son visited Grinnell twice, overnighted etc., but preferred the big state school environment so he is at Wisconsin. </p>

<p>Grinnell is an incredible place, and distinctive among many LACs in that it has extraordinary science and money to support undergrad science research. The students were warm and welcoming, and the professor teaching the class my son visited was incredible – spent 20-30 minutes after class talking with him about schools, programs, choices. There seemed to be fair range of “types” of students, not all crunchy granola/hipster/alternative (pardon my middle-aged stereotypes), but lots of different types, including fairly middle of the road. </p>

<p>I would encourage you to visit – the support for science, and the track record of strong admission to med school and grad school admission is impressive. Plus, the dining hall is incredible, with all kinds of options, including, I am confident, gluten free. </p>

<p>Congrats, and good luck in your decision making.</p>

14

<p>It seems apparent to me that there is an overwhelming amount of Grinnell bias here. I don’t really have much to say but I will chime in with some of my own views. </p>

<p>I always thought Earlham was more quirkier than Grinnell. When I think of Earlham, I find it most similar to Reed and Oberlin. I do think Earlham has as bright or even brighter students than the kids at Reed and Oberlin and I do believe the academics are as rigorous as it is at Reed and Oberlin and most definitely Grinnell. </p>

<p>I would sit in classes at Grinnell and Earlham to see what you like better. It is more about fit at this point.</p>

<p>But if you do care about the US News Rankings then you should probably go to Grinnell since that is the last thing on Earlham’s mind when it comes to bettering their school. </p>

<p>Congrats on your acceptances and I hope you choose the school you like the most.</p>

<p>*One question, why did you not apply to reed?</p>

15

<p>I am visiting Grinnell at the END of the month. I will literally have less than two days after that to figure out where I want to go. This is why I want opinions BEFORE I visit. Obviously, I might go and hate it. I kind of doubt that is the case because I have really enjoyed my visits to both Whitman and Earlham, although I did find things I didn’t like with both.</p>

<p>I have already overnighted (twice, a whole weekend) at Earlham, and sat in on an organic chem lecture. It was much different than Reed’s lecture. The prof was asking students questions as opposed to just writing on the board. There were under 40 students, maybe even 30. My lecture at Reed is now over 100 (!) and I don’t think it should be that way with a school that small. However, they were discussing a topic I learned junior year, and I pretty much picked it up in 50 minutes. I didn’t get a huge mental challenge trying to randomly keep up with this lecture, but maybe that was just random.</p>

<p>A few reasons I didn’t apply to Reed:

  • It’s in Portland. I want to move back here when I am older because I love the city. That being said, I think college is a time to explore and live somewhere where you would never get to live otherwise!
  • The culture. Although people are very individual, a lot of the students I find pretty annoying and cocky. On top of that, people aren’t friendly here. At all. Students both at Whitman and Earlham appeared to be enjoying themselves instead of trying to look cool.
  • Huge lecture class. I’ve been told both Earlham and Grinnell have small science classes, even intro classes.</p>

<p>That being said, if you were to look at me, I think you’d define me as a hipster or hippy. Most of my clothes are from Goodwill, except my Doc Marten’s (even a pair of those are! as well as my birks). Again, I don’t want to pick a school based on what people wear. Using Reed as an example, a lot of the people there have amazing style, but are simply too full of themselves to actually be genuine people.</p>

<p>Does anyone think it would be worthwhile to visit a private counselor? Should I do it before or after I visit Grinnell? Remember, that only leaves 2 days to mull things over. Not ideal, but otherwise tickets were 150 dollars more expensive!</p>

16

<p>Don’t hire a private counselor. You will have a gut feeling when you get to Grinnell about whether it is right for you. No counselor can tell you where you “should” go or where YOU feel you will be happiest and thrive the most. And you already have great options.</p>

17

<p>Another thing we agree on, Sally! There is no right or wrong answer to this. Great schools, great kids, great programs, etc. etc.</p>

<p>In looking back at your criteria, I think that the biggest issue might be the gluten-free food availability. If I were you, I would check back with Earlham and confirm the dining hall situation. In this day and age, I’d be shocked if a school didn’t have accommodations for such a diet, but if they don’t, then this would be a deal-breaker, IMO. At these small schools, alot of the socializing goes on during meals in the dining halls…</p>

<p>I believe that it was you who I told on a different thread that Grinnell does offer gluten-free options (according to my S) and also labels everything. He has an allergy so this is important. Grinnell Dining is run by the college itself and they do alot to personalize it for the students and for school events, and they continue to adapt to student needs, recently adding a Halal station, eg.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t be surprised if you return from Grinnell loving it as well, but still making a comparison with Earlham. I’ll bet you’ll find pros and cons with any school, so, you may just have to make a decision in two days. My S was in a similar situation in terms of a visit, and had to compress the whole decision making into one day, not even two! We just made sure to find the post office with the latest closing time! It can be done.</p>

18

<p>A current parent should correct me, as I could be wrong, but during our Grinnell tour, I thought we heard that no class, including intro science classes, were larger than 30, or maybe it was 35.</p>

19

<p>So I’m assuming I have until the end of the 1st to decide??</p>

<p>You sound like my mom about the gluten free thing! I know it is a serious thing, getting crappy food for four years. They list allergens but the cafeteria lady didn’t even really know what gluten was when I asked. I couldn’t handle being glutened all the time either…</p>

<p>Is there a consensus that either school would prepare me equally well for further education? Or does Grinnell have an edge?</p>

20

<p>Here’s this week’s menu at Earlham. Looks like plenty of options that don’t involve wheat, plus veg/vegan choices. It may not be as good as Grinnell’s food (which is known to be excellent) but I don’t think you’d starve. :)</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.earlham.edu/media/735468/menu-2013-0323-0330.pdf[/url]”>http://www.earlham.edu/media/735468/menu-2013-0323-0330.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;