Help from Grinnell students

<p>My son went out to Grinnell recently for a 'Prospie' weekend. For a variety of reasons it did not go well, but he is still interested in the school. Can anyone currently there tell me what you like about Grinnell? Thanks</p>

<p>yes . . .
An DCZ, could you explain what didn't feel right?</p>

<p>I think it was a general over-all feeling, he has had a hard time articulating it. Campus not quite as pretty as he was expecting, kids not quite as engaging (but he did say everyone was very nice). Iowa was flatter than he imagined... :)</p>

<p>I guess I was a little shocked when I first saw Grinnell too... But by the second day I had completely fallen in love. Here's what I liked:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Students came from all over the country/world. I spent my overnight hanging out with a students from Alaska, South Dakota, Arkansas, Connecticut, California, Mexico, and Japan. </p></li>
<li><p>I got the feeling Grinnell would fund just about anything I wanted to do.</p></li>
<li><p>At the faculty fair, every professor I spoke to made me want to major in their subject...</p></li>
<li><p>No cut sports teams... I've played a sport all through high school, but probably couldn't make it on the division I teams my other choices offer.</p></li>
<li><p>Students spending time just hanging out outside (playing frisbee, sunbathing, talking with friends...) I think the cold makes you appreciate warm weather more... </p></li>
<li><p>My host and I stopped in at about 3 (of many, many, many) parties going on at the school. All were very inclusive and welcoming. Despite there being alcohol around (I don't drink), I felt comfortable not drinking.</p></li>
<li><p>Events on campus are free??!</p></li>
<li><p>While the school may not have been stunningly beautiful, I think that its very pleasant, and I like how it all faces into one field. It makes the campus feel unified.</p></li>
<li><p>About Iowa being flat... and oh my gosh it is very flat (I've never seen anything so flat in my life)... I'm very excited about it. For the first time in my life I'll be able to bicycle places (I live in a very hilly area). Also, I loved how when you go out into the cornfields, you can see the cute farm houses way off in the distance.</p></li>
<li><p>No one ever seemed to really care about leaving campus. Not because they're boring people, but they seemed content with all the activities that were brought to campus. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thats what I liked! Maybe I'll see your son next year. Good luck with the decision.</p>

<p>mels88 - That was a great reply! Coming from Wisconsin I have a soft spot for the midwest (we live in the NW now). There's lots to look forward to - fireflies, great tomatoes, wonderful corn on the cob-
Good luck. I'll let you know what he decides!</p>

<p>On Thursday I sat in a professors office for an hour talking to her about my research, since she's really interested in it as well. That is one of the many things I like about Grinnell.</p>

<p>Sebastian0622 - There are many urban legends about Grinnell's homework load. In particular we are wondering about the reading requirements (our S is dyslexic). How many pages per night would be typical for any class but math or science?
Thanks!</p>

<p>dcz,</p>

<p>I'm an English major, so I have a lot of reading. It would be quite a bit less for a social sciences major, and of course even less for a science or math major. If I spread the workload out over the week and weekend, I actually don't have to read much--probably an hour per day. But I usually let it pile up until the night before class and have to spend a few hours reading!</p>

<p>It's kind of an ongoing joke on campus that freshmen have a hard time until they realize that they don't have to read everything assigned to read. Skimming is a valuable skill.</p>

<p>To directly answer your question, if I read 40 pages per day, seven days per week, I'd definitely keep up. It's the writing that's more time-consuming...</p>

<p>Sebastian - thanks so much - very useful gauge! Have a productive spring!
Diane</p>

<p>Diane,</p>

<p>Grinnell is a great place, and the faculty and staff are very caring and active with helping students with any "atypical" needs they have. Good luck to you and your son with the whole college thing!</p>

<p>Sebastian0622-
Thanks so much for all your input. After a very tough week of decisions my s finally choose Willamette (in Oregon) over Grinnell.</p>