Grinnell vs. Kenyon

<p>Okay so I have been accepted at these two schools as a transfer and have about a week to decide between the two. I'm from the East coast but I love the midwest. I wanted to get out of the New England area and explore life. </p>

<p>So whats the major difference between the two; is Grinnell that much better than Kenyon (US News ranks G #18 and K #31.)</p>

<p>I am playing a sport next year, so will that make a big difference?</p>

<p>What type of students are at each college?</p>

<p>Which one is more preppy?</p>

<p>Which one is more respected/more well known nationally?</p>

<p>But overall which one should I choose?</p>

<p>I am playing a sport next year, so will that make a big difference?
Football? Go to Grinnell. Swimming or Tennis, go to Kenyon. Otherwise, it doesn’t make much of a difference. Check out the KAC online.</p>

<p>What type of students are at each college?
Both have an eclectic mix of students. They are very similar in terms of the student body.</p>

<p>Which one is more preppy?
Not a big difference. Grinnell, probably…</p>

<p>Which one is more respected/more well known nationally?
Liberal arts colleges really aren’t known nationally. Even Williams and Amherst will garner looks of befuddlement in middle America. As a Kenyon student, I was frequently surprised to find that people in Columbus and Cleveland had no idea where Kenyon was. Like, hello, this is the best college or university in your state. The people who matter know both colleges, and I mean that in the nicest way. When you’re looking at getting a job with a major firm or going to grad school, they are going to know both Kenyon and Grinnell.</p>

<p>But overall which one should I choose?
Kenyon, because I’m biased. Seriously though, I think Kenyon is the better choice. It’s got a better campus. The college sits in rolling hills instead of the plains of Iowa. We’ve got a nicer athletic center, and Kenyon is a little easier to get to.</p>

<p>Foolsgold, you don’t seem very familiar with Grinnell. Grinnell swept the midwestern conference again in swimming ([Midwest</a> Conference](<a href=“http://www.midwestconference.org/index.aspx?path=swim&tab=swimminganddiving2]Midwest”>Men's Swimming and Diving - Midwest Conference)) and the sports facilities for all the athletics are nothing short of palatial. Kenyon is definitely preppier than Grinnell and has frats and sororities, which Grinnell doesn’t. Grinnell is more diverse and 12% of the student body are international (because it has the money to provide a lot of merit scholarships). And lastly, Grinnell is located in the part of the state that has rolling hills - no plains.</p>

<p>Kenyon has lots to recommend it, but the features you point out in comparison to Grinnell are not the ones to cite.</p>

<p>“you don’t seem very familiar with Grinnell. Grinnell swept the midwestern conference again in swimming (Midwest Conference) and the sports facilities for all the athletics are nothing short of palatial.” </p>

<p>M’s Mom - prior to this year, Kenyon had won 31 consecutive NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships. Grinnell has an amazing facility & program, but Kenyon has a better team.</p>