<p>Hi all,
I am a student from Missouri considering applying ED to Grinnell. I do, however, have a few questions, and possible contingencies, regarding the social scene. Obviously, I will not base my whole decision off of what CC'ers say but I would enjoy your input!</p>
<p>First, I am a fairly liberal, open-minded, and sarcastic personality type (some of my best fun with my friends is when we parody Republicans). I do NOT drink or do drugs, EVER, and I don't plan on starting (besides maybe a little drinking, because apparently everyone does in college). I typically do well in new environments but I can have trouble making meaningful friendships, sometimes. I really enjoy being open about feelings, values, and such. I am a very open person. So my main questions are:
1. How large is the drinking/drug scene at Grinnell? What percentage of students don't participate, what else is there to do?
2. I am not very interested in "Hook-up culture," how common is this on campus? Alternatively, how is the dating scene?
3. Are there very many outcast at Grinnell?
4. How much social mobility is there/ is Grinnell very cliquey?
5. How much time is REALLY devoted to schoolwork and studying?
6. How emotional are students, cause I'm typically overly-emotional, for a guy at least.</p>
<p>Thanks for any input!</p>
<p>Have you been to visit Grinnell? If not, do not apply ED. </p>
<p>Like nearly all college campuses in the US there is too much alcohol. Some students choose to get drunk on a regular basis, and many seem immature and unable to imagine socializing without alcohol, or other drugs. However, there are many students there don’t drink, most don’t do illegal drugs, and from talking with many students I think that not drinking or using drugs would be a social handicap there. But you will have to put up with the odd drunk idiot doing stupid things, and not freak out about drugs. It sound like you have made good decisions for yourself, I don’t think you would find many students there who would be critical of you for your choices.</p>
<p>I think there is not a particularly pronounced hook up culture at Grinnell. I don’t know of many schools where folks pair up for 4 years these days. There is behavior which I see as problematic and likely to lead to problems and hurt feelings, without any real advantage. People that age can be pretty self-centered, and often imagine they invented sex. There is more crudeness than I like, but I am fairly conservative. </p>
<p>Don’t apply ED unless you have visited. I like Grinnell. It is a special place, that offers an excellent education, but some people just don’t like it.</p>
<p>I have visited, and loved it! I am doing an overnight very soon to solidify, or break, my decision. Thank you!</p>
<p>From your description, it sounds to me that you would probably fit in well at Grinnell. My son loved it and found it very easy to make friends. He also really enjoyed the parties, something he never cared about in high school. He is still with the wonderful girlfriend he met at Grinnell, now 2 years after graduation. The school brings in a huge number of activities. No shortage of fun and interesting things to do right on campus. I think most Grinnell students tend to be friendly and accepting of differences.</p>