<p>So I'm trying to decide between Mount Holyoke and Grinnell over the next few days. I want to major in Political Science or History, with a minor in Classics or Arabic, I really, really want to study abroad, and I want to move to Europe, preferably for grad school or right after. I want to get a PhD or go into International Law, probably a PhD. I'm kinda odd, and socially more awkward than not. Identical financial aid packages. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>On the PhD side, these lists might help:</p>
<p>[PHD</a> PRODUCTIVITY](<a href=“http://web.reed.edu/ir/phd.html]PHD”>Doctoral Degree Productivity - Institutional Research - Reed College)</p>
<p>Can’t comment on Mt. Holyoke. I can comment on Grinnell as my S will be attending this fall. He sounds a lot like you in that he wants to major in History or poly-sci and then go on to law school. We really liked the intelectual feel at Grinnell. The students are quite quirky and very accepting of all types of students. It’s a very liberal school, but again very accepting of all types. It’s not pretentious or preppy either(not sure if Mt. Holyoke is or isn’t). They have an amazing number of students that go on to get their phd’s. in fact I thought I read somewhere that they rank #10 overall in phd productivity across the board. They have an amazing language department and many students go abroad and study during their junior year. Grinnell has a huge endowment and also has very good research opportunities. Have you visited either school yet? Impressions?</p>
<p>I am adding a link regarding Grinnell phd productivity as well.</p>
<p><a href=“http://web.grinnell.edu/institutionalresearch/webdocs/PhDProd_F06.pdf[/url]”>http://web.grinnell.edu/institutionalresearch/webdocs/PhDProd_F06.pdf</a></p>
<p>I visited both schools, had an okay time, a little bit better at Grinnell, but nothing that made me fall in love with either.</p>
<p>That it’s a shame. Did you get into any other schools? My point is that you should really like where you are going to go. Also, did you do an overnighter or just quick campus visit etc…</p>
<p>I have heard from many sources that the Arabic professor at Grinnell is absolutley first-rate; Grinnell has a very strong study abroad program. I think there are a lot of students at Grinnell who would self-identify as “socially awkward.” That being said, the ones I have met are almost all personable and outgoing. </p>
<p>Both are fine schools. I suppose the biggest difference between the two is co-ed vs. women’s college. Only you can decide if a single-sex school is a better fit for you than a co-ed institution.</p>
<p>My D is a senior at Grinnell and is taking her second semester of Arabic right now. She says the professor is excellent. The students have Arabic table where they meet for lunch once a week and speak Arabic, they meet for Arabic movies and cooking night. D studied abroad junior year at the American University in Cairo and it was a life changing experience for her. She has taken a number of political science courses, this semester is in a course called Human Rights, which is team taught by a political science prof and a religious studies prof. Grinnell has been an unbelievable opportunity for my D, the best decision she has ever made.</p>
<p>I did a full overnight, though no classes, and I did really like it. The noodles in the cafeteria made me and my host sick, so that put a bit of a damper on the evening, but other than that it was fun. There’s no school that really spoke to me.</p>
<p>Not everyone has a ‘love at first sight’ experience with a school (though you’d never know that from CC) and those that do, often end up going somewhere else in the end for a variety of reasons. It’s a lot healthier, and more realistic, to have a couple of schools you know you could be happy at.</p>
<p>I think a lot of freshmen enter college with such unrealistic expectations, because the build up has been so prolonged and the hype is so great. Those who weren’t expecting to end up in paradise find reality a little easier to adjust to. You may be one of those who sees things just a bit more clearly and less emotionally. Maybe it’s even part of what makes you feel socially awkward? (5 cent psychology-the Doctor is IN)</p>
<p>Sorry to hear about the noodles.</p>
<p>M’smom is right. Some students don’t fall in love until they have been there a while and get settled in. I agree that having a few schools you really like is the ideal.</p>
<p>My son is a history major at Grinnell also studying Arabic. He gives the Arabic prof rave reviews. He and another Grinnell student were admitted to a highly competitive study abroad program in Morocco last semester. It was an amazing experience for him. He is thinking of law school too, possibly. I’m pretty sure Grinnell is working on expanding their offerings in the area of Middle Eastern studies.</p>
<p>I also can’t comment on Mt Holyoke.</p>
<p>The food experience, I believe, is unusual. I hope your host reported it to somebody in food services. I can definitely see why that put a damper on your evening!</p>
<p>I agree with others that Grinnell is a great place for someone who feels socially awkward and unconventional. The students don’t appear to be odd and the ones I’ve met certainly have seemed to have social skills, but I’m pretty sure a large number would describe themselves as you have described yourself and I’ve heard lots of them say they feel really comfortable with each other as a result.</p>
<p>If you do end up at Grinnell, don’t miss Prof. Monessa Cummins in the Classics Dept. She is a legend. We sat in on her class during a family weekend and it was clear why she is so highly regarded.</p>
<p>Thanks so much to everyone for the input, and I am happy to say that I am Grinnell-bound!!</p>
<p>congratulations, sarucane…</p>
<p>sarucane–I am so happy for you. I’m quite sure you will love it! Thanks for coming back to tell us.</p>