<p>Hey everyone,</p>
<p>I'm currently a sophomore at Kenyon and I'm perfectly willing to candidly answer any questions you have about Kenyon or college in general. Lay them on me!</p>
<p>hi, I applied RD to Kenyon, and I appreciate you being open to questions. It seems like an amazing school, in lots of ways, but I have a few reservations...</p>
<p>You must get this constantly, but...the isolation? Do you regret not having more access to the culture, art, shopping, dining, adventure etc of a city? And do drinking and frats sometimes dominate the campus?</p>
<p>Please be honest.</p>
<p>merci beaucoup :)</p>
<p>Hey.</p>
<p>I applied ED and already got in, so it's a definite thing I'm going in the fall. I know this question is pretty vague, but what would you say are the things you like and hate the most about Kenyon? </p>
<p>How is this OhiloLink decrease in funds affecting your use of the library? What's the progress on the new Athletics Centre?</p>
<p>Any tips of things to do/get when we arrive on campus for the first time?
Ahah, sorry bout all the questions -- guess I'm just curious.</p>
<p>I honestly think the isolation factor is hyperbolized. While I'm from a rural area (and not used to the hustle and bustle of a city) I think Kenyon itself has a lot of the culture of a more populated area. There are constantly concerts, art exhibits, shows, etc, and if Kenyon doesn't fulfill your desires, Columbus is an hour away and pretty easy to get to. Mount Vernon (only a few minutes away... KC provides a shuttle) has plenty of dining options... as for shopping-- you really have to go to Columbus. Kenyon students are pretty demanding when it comes to culture, and I think most of the time the college pulls it through.
I actually have a lot of friends who go to urban schools (mostly in NYC and Boston) that regret going there-- they get so caught up in the city that they lose the college's culture.
As for drinking/frats, I think most people at Kenyon do drink, though it isn't entirely dominating. While I enjoy going out, it isn't uncommon to just go see a movie and then head home with a bunch of friends... KC tries its hardest to provide entertainment for nondrinkers. My roommate last year didn't drink, and she always seemed to have something to do, though I think many people find that the sober options on campus tend to get repetitive. The frat scene appears dominating because it's the easiest place to obtain alcohol for underage students, but everyone within greek life is pretty chill... and it's easy to sidestep that whole scene.</p>
<p>hope I helped!</p>
<p>rt, shopping, dining, adventure etc of a city? And do drinking and frats sometimes dominate the campus?</p>
<p>Please be honest.</p>
<p>Pheezik-</p>
<p>I'll start with the easier questions... the budget decrease for OhioLINK hasn't affected me at all. I think they mostly cut the items that were really never used in the first place. Personally I've never even had to use OhioLINK... the Kenyon library is pretty extensive, and if I do need to send away I use Consort-- the connection between Kenyon and other Ohio colleges.
The FRA (athletic center) is looking pretty awesome. The outside is nearly done and the inside will probably get started soon... it's very exciting. Ernst needs to go. Period.</p>
<p>The things I dislike- being in a conservative state. it's easy to get sick of the food. the no eating in the library rule (it's ******** by the way). the chai at the middle ground isn't strong enough... I honestly really like most everything about Kenyon!
Likes- the stars here are amazing. Of course the closeknit community; everyone is accepting and open. The intellectualism. The way you think is valued over general knowledge. Every season here is gorgeous. The campus is amazing-- it looks like all your childhood dreams of college. I really like most everything.
tips- be yourself, have fun! I think it's definitely helpful to have a fridge/microwave for when everything is closed late at night...</p>
<p>kc_lady - Hi! Thanks for being so willing to answer Kenyon questions. My daughter was accepted ED to Kenyon and is looking forward to being there next year. Not to belabor the drinking issue, I just have one question about your reply regarding drinking, when you said most people drink and the sober options can become repetitive. Do non-drinkers feel comfortable/accepted at social events where drinking is going on, even if they are not drinking. Or are they mostly confined to the activities designated as "alcohol free"? I am just curious about this, thanks.</p>
<p>Thanks for offering to answer questions.
Why did you apply to Kenyon? What other places did you consider?</p>
<p>What's your major? How would you describe the typical Kenyon student?</p>
<p>i also applied RD to Kenyon and after staying overnight, I am convinced that it is my number one choice. I really enjoyed myself at Kenyon. Everyone was friendly and extremely intellectual. I thought the campus was gorgeous and although it was snowing, the campus was fun to walk and easy to get used to. I even loved the food (the have an awesome stir-fry bar!!!). I don't know why the food gets a "blase" response from the students. They had practically everything from salad bars to stirfry to main entrees to desserts etc. But maybe thats because I haven't been eating it for 4 years hehe.</p>
<p>My question is: what do the people on campus think about frats/sororities? I got the feeling that the sorority girls on campus weren't the most "liked" types and that was a little discouraging since I wanted to join a sorority.</p>
<p>Also, what is the "smoking" scene at Kenyon like? It seems like there were a lot of people "open" to a lot of things? Is smoking as prevelant as drinking?</p>
<p>By the way, I really want to study languages at Kenyon. I sat in on an Intro 2 Spanish class, but I came on a day where students had presentations and didnt get to see the real "class". Could you tell me what they are like normally and if they are helpful (if you are studying a new lang.?)</p>
<p>thanx</p>
<p>Motheroftwo- there are many people who go to drinking parties and do not drink, so as far as I can tell they feel pretty comfortable. There is definitely no pressure to drink, and most of the time you can't even tell who is drinking and who is not. If your daughter is uncomfortable with the drinking scene (I certainly was) I'd make sure to let her know that she is always welcome at parties with alcohol. If she feels like she is the only one without a beer in her hand, she could always even hold a beer without drinking it. No one would ever be able to tell. Or care.</p>
<p>Northstarmom- I initially looked into Kenyon when a couple of alumni told me how much they loved it. After scouring the viewbook and website Kenyon seemed like a great fit to me. I also looked at Hamilton, Skidmore, Middlebury, Wheaton (MA), Dickinson, Connecticut College and a few others. While I liked most of them, Kenyon really felt like a place I could call home. The students were the most friendly and receptive to my questions. The academic reputation is great, the classes are small, the professors are great and available, the people are wonderful... it just felt like a college should be! I ended up applying ED...</p>
<p>I'm a sociology major, though I came to Kenyon thinking neuroscience. I also thought about biology, psych, dance and drama (how liberal arts!).</p>
<p>The typical Kenyon student... hard to pin down. Liberal for sure. There is a wide spectrum between "hippies" and "preps". Most people would fall somewhere in the middle. KC students are very passionate about politics and other issues, they are active with many groups on campus, and have a huge drive to succeed. Most students work hard and play hard-- they are very good about balancing their lives.</p>
<p>valuable1212-
It seems like most students fall in love with Kenyon after they visit- I'm not suprised!
As for the food, I don't think it's too bad, but the options are on rotation and you tend to have the same things a lot.
Frats/Sororities- I feel like frats are mostly respected. There are several different types of frats (Betas are the football players, DKEs are more preppy, ADs are more laid back...) so I think everyone can find a frat they like to hang out with. There are only 4 sororities on campus- NIA is sorority primarily for minority women, EDM seems pretty cool- they are all friendly and close to eachother. Several of them don't drink, and they seem to really represent what sororities are supposed to (sisterhood, community service). Thetas are kind of in the shadows... they don't really have social events. You probably heard about Zetas... they are the more stereotypical sorority girls-- preppy, wealthy, partiers who tend to be kind of snobby. No one views joining a sorority as a bad thing, just make sure you find the one that fits you best.
Smoking- Many people do smoke at Kenyon, but it's definitely not as prevalent as drinking. You don't see people smoking at parties, it's mostly just something you do with a couple of friends in private. The Peeps (a male/female frat) are known for their experimentation with drugs... there are certainly people at Kenyon who do experiment, but drug use isn't widespread, and it's hiding in the shadows...</p>
<p>And I haven't taken a language at Kenyon (I passed out) but my friends who have loved their classes!</p>
<p>I have one question: </p>
<p>The Dorms. </p>
<p>How is the Residential Life at Kenyon? </p>
<p>Thanks for your wonderful responses kc_lady.</p>
<p>kc_lady, Thanks for your thoughtful answers. My daughter actually looked at many of the same colleges you considered. She is thinking of majoring in International Studies and also wants to pursue and perhaps minor in Art. Kenyon seems to welcome non-majors in art classes, which was one of many things that attracted her to the school.</p>
<p>KC lady, thanks for all the responses. Do you happen to know anything about international student orientation by the way?</p>
<p>Wow this is great! I have a question too, how would you describe the workload and did you have a hard time adjusting to it? Any tips in that area would be greatly appreciated too. Thanks!</p>
<p>kc_lady, thanks for being so helpful and answering so many queries. Though I have not asked a question myself yet (which I guess I will, soon), I have really benefited from your replies.
Thank you.
Have a good day.</p>
<p>First of all, I'm glad to hear that so many of you are benefiting from this! I wish someone had done this for me when I was a prospie (the Kenyon term for prospective students). I'm so happy to answer all of your questions.</p>
<p>Res. Life and the dorm situation- You probably know a little bit about res life at Kenyon already- freshman have their own res. halls on North Campus, and then you are free to live anywhere on campus, north or south, in a standard dorm on in a campus apartment. Each of the freshman dorms has its own personality- </p>
<p>McBride (where I lived) tends to be party central (though not everyone participates) and certainly the loudest. It's not always a bad thing though- I had a lot of fun there and got to know a lot of people really fast. McBride is single sex by room- men and women living next door to each other. All bathrooms are single sex. Rooms can either be spacious or cramped, and oftentimes a weird shape. It's the largest freshman dorm. McBride is fraternal twin to Mather, where there is usually a few halls of freshman and upper floors are for upper classmen. Each have carpeting and air conditioning.</p>
<p>Gund kids seem to really have a special culture. Different from other dorms, Gund friendships seem to stick well. I know I've totally lost touch with my McBride hall, but those who lived in Gund last year seem to still be connected. Gund residents usually seem to be more free spirited than other halls (the rumor in the other freshman dorms is always that the kids in Gund are the misfits that no one wants to live with... not true, I have several amazing Gund friends). The problem with Gund is that each of the rooms has a big divider in the middle, trying to split the room in two so you each have more privacy. While the idea seems good, most Gund residents end up hating that unmovable half wall. Gund is men on the first floor and women on the second. No carpeting, no air conditioning.</p>
<p>Norton and Lewis are identical twins- and they also seem to foster great friendships. They are both single sex by hall. When you picture what a dorm room looks like you probably see these guys- the standard rectangular room, pretty spacious, big windows!. Neither have carpeting or air conditioning. There is generally a wide mix of people here.</p>
<p>The third floor of McBride is freshman wellness housing... I'm not really sure how well this works. I know last year only a few people on wellness actually requested to be there. Many people will just get put there. While all freshman dorms are alcohol free and all dorms are smoke free, wellness is supposed to be composed of people who don't do any substances... I think there is a good mix of drinkers and non drinkers- true on any hall you'll find at Kenyon.</p>
<p>Kenyon seems to do a really good job matching roommates and halls. They look at more than your housing form to match you with a roommate, they also try to find someone with a similar interest. Most people won't come away with a new best friend, but very few people have problems with their roommates.</p>
<p>After freshman year you have the choice to live on North or South campus. Most parties happen on South Campus, and it can get pretty loud, but there is a real fun, communal atmosphere. North Campus is less condensed and holds most of the apartments at Kenyon-- apartments are very popular, and you probably won't be able to get one until junior year.</p>
<p>The bottom line- be honest on your housing form. Don't be afraid to write in any fears you have. The Res Life office is very perceptive and will always be there to help you out.</p>
<p>On workload-</p>
<p>I feel like a lot of this depends on the department you're in (and the classes you take) and what year you are. Workload certainly increases each year here. Large classes (like intro psych or bio) tend to have less work, and more reading and test taking. Smaller classes (um... everything else) have a lot more work.
I usually work a few hours every night. Sometimes I will have to work several, and sometimes I have next to nothing. I think the majority of the workload at Kenyon is reading, and then either answering questions on the reading, writing a paper on the reading, preparing a presentation on the reading, etc. I didn't have a terrible time adjusting to Kenyon's workload... it's more than high school, but I came prepared for that and adjusted fine.
Tips- Try really, really hard not to get behind. Classes at Kenyon can move really fast. Once you're lagging a little bit it can be nearly impossible to catch up. If you do feel yourself slipping, talk to your professor ASAP-- they are really receptive and will suggest ways to help you catch up. Often they will also give you an extension, but don't ask for one if you really don't need it. They are friendly, but they aren't pushovers. Try not to procrastinate (I'm still working on this one). While it's easy to do a worksheet at the last minute, it's hard to read an 800 page book right before an exam. Pace yourself, use your time wisely and weigh your assignments- papers and exams should always come first.
I find it also helps to head to the library when I'm studying. Sometimes I can work well in my room, but more often than not I'll get a knock on my door, or the internet will beckon. There are several different working environments, they're all comfortable, and it's helpful to be surrounded by people engrossed in their work.</p>
<p>Thanks! One more question... Does it matter much if the dorm has carpeting/air conditioning or not? Not sure.</p>
<p>Carpeting and air conditioning really don't make a difference... the only benefit of air conditioning (besides what? the three weeks of hot weather?) is that temperature is controlled within the room or apartment. Otherwise it's controlled elsewhere in the building (where you can't get to it). Usually it's fine, but sometimes it can get really hot or really cold. Dressing like an onion is a godsend.</p>