<p>blip- I have no idea about hearing internationally... sorry!</p>
<p>so_delirious-</p>
<p>*While there are certainly rich kids, "mostly" is very far fetched. I wouldn't say people at Kenyon are any more wealthy than at any other LAC. While most people at Kenyon are white, the admissions office is really trying to add diversity.
*Kamp Kenyon is a nickname for Kenyon because of the laid back, fun attitude that feels almost like summer camp.
*What exactly do you mean by lopsided student body?
*Where did you get the anti-intellectual thing? I've had several professors announce on the first day of class that memorizing facts and being "book smart" isn't nearly as important to them as being critical learners, thinking abstractly and having the capacity and desire to learn. While there are some people at Kenyon who aren't very intellectual, the majority are and everyone is very encouraging.
*I wouldn't say that closed minded liberalism is very prevalent. I actually think Kenyon is more genuine in our liberalism than schools that are known to be super liberal, like Hampshire College (where my brother went). My brother constantly stresses that the people at Hampshire try so hard to fit into their liberal mold that they are actually very close minded. Kenyon students are very open minded, but they may give the allusion of being closed minded because they aren't super active in their beliefs.</p>
<p>kc_lady,
thanks for everything. i am just so dead-worried about the location and transportation. Please tell me more about that, and in detail.
thanks a lot for all the help.</p>
<p>Hi! I found out last week that I got into Kenyon! I am very very excited... it is my first choice right now. I am visiting in a few weeks, but have so many questions that I would greatly appreciate knowing the answers to. Thanks!:</p>
<ol>
<li>I've read that there is a clear division between those who attended private school and those who attended public. Since I go to a public high school, I am worried about that. Is this true?</li>
<li>Also: I got an amazing financial aid package from Kenyon. But do a lot of people receive fin. aid? I don't want to be ostracized because of it. Also, what kind of jobs are easily available to freshmen? </li>
<li>I consider myself a shy person... and I don't really drink, and don't do drugs. I was considering the wellness housing, but isn't it in the same building as the "party dorm"? I am thinking of just putting on my housing form that I want to live on a single-sex floor. Are those requests usually granted?</li>
<li>Weird question: are the bathrooms decent? I have visited several college dorms where the bathrooms are disgusting (people spitting gum in the sinks, trash everywhere...) I only ask because I am an only child, and not at all used to sharing a bathroom.</li>
<li>How often do shuttles go to Columbus from Kenyon? Are they free? And do people usually take advantage of the opportunity to leave?</li>
<li>I've read that Kenyon has an amazing Counseling and Health Center. Do the students take advantage of it?</li>
</ol>
<p>Ok... that's all for now. Thank you so so much for answering my questions!!!</p>
<p>Personally I love the location. Gambier is in a great little pocket of Ohio with trees and wildlife, and even some hills (gasp)! We're right on the edge of the Kokosing River and there are tons of options for playing in the outdoors. Yet we're an hour from a major city, three minutes from a medium sized town with pretty much everything you need, and in a village with all the essentials.</p>
<p>A free shuttle runs back and forth between Gambier and Mount Vernon several days a week, and the shuttle drivers will drop you off wherever you want to go, and will arrange a time with you for pickup. Many times they'll even drop you off right at your dorm. Kenyon students are also generous with their cars-- if you need a ride anywhere in Ohio you can usually someone to drive you or someone to lend you their car. The shuttles to Columbus are kind of a myth... they have to be organized by the student who wants to go, and there need to be ten students or more going to make it resonably priced. I don't remember a shuttle ever going in my two years here, however carloads of people go into Columbus all the time. </p>
<p>At the end and beginning of breaks, people will send out emails offering rides to the airport and all over the US. Standard price for an airport ride is $20. A lot of people offer rides to pick up some extra cash for the holidays, car insurance, etc. If you want a ride home/back to Kenyon, people are usually pretty generous. I've never payed more than a tank of gas.</p>
<p>Bottom line- most people here find that they are very happy with the location, and transportation is pretty decent. I have several friends from New York and other large cities, all of whom aren't disapointed by being so rural. Come with an open mind, learn to enjoy internet shopping, and you'll be just fine.</p>
<p>Turqueyes- Congratulations on being accepted! It's definitely a rush to get accepted to your first choice school. If you want to meet up or anything when you visit let me know, I'd be happy to show you around.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I don't really see a division between publics and privates. I went to public high school and have a healthy mix of friends, and I've never felt chastized for being a public schooler. Sometimes things will be a little awkward when people talk about the whole New England Prep School scene, but you and your public school friends can always bust out your stories of asbestos, under funding and horrible teachers. It's really not a big deal, don't worry about it.</p></li>
<li><p>I too have a great financial aid package. A lot of people get financial aid, and it's nothing frowned upon. I've actually had the opposite experience, where wealthier students are actually embarassed that they're not getting any fin aid. I posted about jobs earlier... it's easy to get a job if you act fast. You can find that post for more info.</p></li>
<li><p>If you say you want a single sex floor, you'll get a single sex floor. Wellness is on the third floor of McBride, which tends to be the party dorm. Some people have great Wellness experiences and others don't. A lot of people are put there that don't request it, so it's not really all that clean. I think you have the right idea about going for an all female floor. I'd steer your towards Norton or Lewis.</p></li>
<li><p>The bathrooms themselves are okay; I think it really depends on who you're living with. Bathrooms are always single sex, so if you're living with girls like yourself (which res life tries really hard for) you won't have a problem. At home I share a bathroom with my messy brother, and I love being here for the cleaner facilities. </p></li>
<li><p>See my post above for Columbus shuttle and other transportation woes.</p></li>
<li><p>There are a lot of mixed reviews about the health and counseling center. The counseling center gets an A in my book. I've met with two different counselors, and they're both great. I've been invited to their houses for lunch, walked with them and their dogs- they'll really do anything to make you comfortable. The counseling center also has a lot of group meetings- one for women's issues, one for eating disorders, one for stress reduction. This year there is also a new yoga class out of the counseling center.
The health center is pretty dismal. The main issue is that they are very understaffed. It's hard to get an appointment, and if you go to open clinic hours, you usually wait for hours. Women also have issues with the health center because the physician is a man, and a lot of women don't want to go to him for ob-gyn needs. A female nurse comes once a week to do pelvic exams and the like, but it takes weeks to get an appointment with her. Right now several campus groups are petitioning to get a full time female practioner as well, and it looks like thing will be heading that way.
Everyone at the center is really friendly and qualified, and I don't mean to scare you off, but don't come thinking the health center is all daffodils and lollipops.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>HI kc_lady,
thanks a lot for taking the time off and answering our questions in such detail. You have been of great help. If all people in Kenyon turn out to be half as good as you are, I am pretty sure I will have a good time at Kenyon.</p>
<p>Do you have RA's (residence advisors) or the equivalent? If you do, how hard is it to get one and are they compensated. Some schools give room & board, some just room, some nothing but the best give romm $ board plus cash.</p>
<p>Freshman year there is one RA per 20 or so students. They live on your hall with you, and one RA is always on duty and all call 24 hours a day. During orientation you have nightly hall meetings with your RA and hallmates to discuss Kenyon policies, having a roommate, etc. After that there are several hall activities organized by RAs throughout the year- some educational and some fun. With my hall and RA, I went to the fire station for a educational birthday party (it was such a kindergarten affair, so fun!), apple picking, a walk to all the blue lights on campus, and ice cream social, etc. </p>
<p>When you are an upperclassmen you have a CA (community advisor instead of a resident advisor). Typically there are one or two CAs per upperclass res hall. They are there to keep the peace, etc. There is always a CA on duty on both north and south campus. Typically there are a few building activities, or T-shirts or other forms of bonding, but there is a lot more freedom.</p>
<p>Blip,
I wrote a paragraph on campus jobs in my post from March 18th.</p>
<p>SRmom,
For RAs and CAs there is a good amount of competition. About half of the applicants get a job and many RAs and CAs stay on another year or two. Many people apply to be RAs sophomore year, and then advance to a CA or a head RA.
The Res Life staff looks for responsible, fun, good leaders with a lot of knowledge about Kenyon and solid problem solving skills. I'm not sure what else they look for specifically, but they choose RAs and CAs very carefully.
Aside from the application you need to submit letters of recommendation from professors and also a peer reference. Usually you take part in a few interviews, and of course before you begin you have a week long training/orientation session.</p>
<p>You mention an eating disorders group. Is it like "shameful" to be part of this group? I'm anorexic and would like to be able to get help without being made fun of, mocked, etc.</p>
<p>Brokenchild, the Fitness center they say should open next fall but im thinking it will actually open in the winter time, but i could be wrong. You asked about the eating disorders group, i dont know much about it but I've never heard anyone mocking or thinking less of people with eating disorders. I know two of our psychology professors are well known researchers in that field and they occassionly hold talks about the issue on campus. It is nothing that bears a stigma at Kenyon, at least in my experience.</p>
<p>Most people take 4 classes each semester, which is the recommended amount. Many people also take a 5th class that gives less credit like labs or dance technique classes.
Unless you are double majoring or behind, it isn't really wise to go beyond 5 classes, and your faculty advisor will probably advise you against it. Many times I feel totally bogged down by my core 4 classes, and having a dance class and an audit on top is overwhelming.</p>
<p>Hey kc_lady:
I have come to know that every college/university attracts a certain TYPE of students. So what are the adjectives which best describe Kenyon students? I know this question sounds a bit vague, but I just wanted to know "What kinda people will I have as my friends this coming fall?"</p>
<p>Can you share some of your expectations abt Kenyon(the ones that you had before coming to the college but after getting accepted). As a new student in the Campus, how were the earlier months for you?</p>