<p>Okay, I understand this topic has been discussed but I still have more questions so I'm gonna bring it up again. I am applying this fall and am going to apply ED to either Grinnell or Reed. I tend to lean a bit towards Grinnell but both schools absolutely fascinate me. My question is about the 4-year experience in Iowa v. Portland. I come from a small town and was hoping for a change when I go to college but I don't think the city should be a deciding factor in a college application. So I was hoping for more information about the different atmospheres of Reed and Grinnell, I am liberal and lean towards an open-minded environment like the ones I believe are present at both schools, and I am also hispanic, so I strongly value diversity. My plan is to major in International Studies/Relations or Global Studies, so if you know anything about those specific programs at these schools, I would really appreciate it!! </p>
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<li><p>Four Year Graduation Rates:
Reed = 59.8%
Grinnell = 86%
This is obviously important. At Grinnell you can even talk with your advisor to make a plan to graduate in six or seven semesters if you have a good reason to graduate early.</p></li>
<li><p>From what I understand of Reed students, they don’t get out in the city that much anyway. Actually, they seen surprisingly uninvolved in anything besides academics. I’ve read someone on here say that Reed students are not “joiners” which I think leads to a dull on-campus life. I like political activism and am very liberal. In general, Reed students talk about politics but don’t really apply their ideas in practice. </p></li>
<li><p>It sounds from you post that money is not a factor for you. Either way, Grinnell has a commitment to being need-blind and meeting 100% of financial need. Reed is not need-blind. This means that there is more economic diversity at Grinnell. This is an example of Grinnell’s social justice principles in action. </p></li>
<li><p>Based on my visits, I’m convinced that Reed students are much less socially adept and weirder than Grinnell students. I actually liked this about Reed students. It just depends on what you like.</p></li>
<li><p>Reed has a gorgeous campus. Grinnell’s campus is nice as far as architecture but it doesn’t have the pretty scenery.</p></li>
<li><p>Double majoring is pretty much impossible at Reed and highly discouraged. I didn’t realize this until I visited. The curriculum is rigid. Grinnell’s curriculum is open but it is directed by your advisor. There is so much more room to explore and change your interests at Grinnell.</p></li>
<li><p>All of Reed’s is geared towards getting a PhD. Grinnell also has exceptional rates of students getting PhDs but there are just more options at Grinnell.</p></li>
<li><p>Grinnell has this really cool “Liberal Arts in Prison” program that students can volunteer at. The students can tutor or even teach classes that the students design themselves to local prisoners. The program allows prisoners to earn a year of Grinnell College credit while in prison. When I saw this I was sure that I wanted to go to Grinnell to participate so I think I should spread the word. (There are other volunteer programs; I just get excited about fighting the prison-industrial complex!) </p></li>
<li><p>The students who go to Grinnell are there to make an intentional prairie community for learning. It’s in the middle of nowhere but that’s a part of the charm. The people at Grinnell are willing to give up the excitement of the city to focus on the Grinnell experience. The students come from all over; Grinnell has twice as many international students as Reed. While Grinnell students are in the rural Midwest, they pursue academics along with engagement with the community and the rest of the globe. </p></li>
<li><p>Endowment per Student:
Grinnell = $749,309
Reed = $255,459
The endowment at Grinnell is enormous. You see the money all over campus. The buildings are beautiful and new. The students talk about all the money that Grinnell will spend on the students for summer research, internships, and club expenses. I didn’t think that money made such a difference until I visited. </p></li>
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<p>Those are my totally biased thoughts on Reed and Grinnell. I’m not entirely qualified on this subject but I applied and visited both schools. Grinnell accepted me with nice merit aid and financial aid and Reed waitlisted me (I am holding a grudge). No one else was answering on this thread so I thought that I might as well so Reed wouldn’t get an unfair bias due to their larger online presence.</p>
<p>My son applied to both and was accepted by both, as well as 8 other schools. We visited both schools before and after acceptance. My son chose Grinnell and, since he had a great 4 years there, I’m biased too. I think the low 4-year graduation rate at Reed is a reason for possible concern. Another concern my son had was the low percentage of students studying abroad at Reed, about 25%, with Grinnell about twice that, I think. Grinnell makes a big effort to attract international students and students of color. The student body is really quite diverse. Other than temperatures in the winter, Grinnell felt “warmer” to all 3 of us (H and I visited too).</p>
<p>Also, Grinnell guarantees an on campus job for anyone who wants one. My son worked for security and the school newspaper.</p>
<p>Have you visited both? While each school offers an open-minded student body, I’m going to be frank and say you should ED to Grinnell. I’ve heard nothing but great things from students and alumni (so much so, I’m starting to think I would’ve chosen it over my “top 5” LAC)
Given that retention rate is an excellent indicator of student happiness, I’d say it’s much easier to thrive there. From what I’ve heard about Reed, many students are unhappy with their insane grade deflation, workload (not that G isn’t intense,) and overall environment. I suggest reading some student reviews of Reed College before deciding where to apply. Same goes for Grinnell, obviously.
Good luck wherever your life takes you! I’m sure you’ll make great choices regardless of what happens.</p>
<p>How about Grinnell with some study abroad thrown in? </p>
<p>I felt like I was leaning towards Grinnell but my hesitation was the town life and activity that I could find. How much of a difference in financial aid is there between schools?</p>
<p>They are very different schools. I think your chances for getting a workable financial aid package from Grinnell is greater than your chance of getting a workable one from Reed. That said do not apply there ED without visiting.</p>
<p>I am a Reed graduate, and many in my family have gone there. Reedies do not spend that much time in Portland. It is an intense school and the students who are successful there focus on what is going on on campus. I really like Portland; I lived there after finishing at Reed, and visit friends and family there at least once a year. I highly recommend living in Portland, but during the academic year at Reed you will hardly know it is there, even if you live off campus. </p>
<p>If you’re looking at International Relations, I think Grinnell would be a better choice, but other options might be Macalester, Lewis & Clark or Goucher, 3 urban or near-urban campuses that are very internationally focused…</p>