Reasons why you should not go to Kenyon

Colleges and Universities A-Z Kenyon College
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<p>Talk about a bitter experience '06 senior. It’s been nearly six years and you’re still complaining about the internet connection? Please.</p>

<p>Anyway, to reiterate what another <em>current</em> Kenyon student said, the internet connectivity is great. You can’t notice any hiccups or anything. In fact, I would say it’s even better than most institutions because it’s completely wireless everywhere. When I visited friends at Georgetown and Columbia I was so surprised that they had to hook up to ethernet cables in the dorms to get internet access. Needless to say, I was left not having internet those weekends I visited. </p>

<p>And as far as the “intellectual” caliber of the students is concerned, it’s definitely changed since 2006. As we all know, college admissions has gotten crazy competitive in the past five years and <em>every</em> selective college has started admitting students of higher caliber. Including Kenyon. Just to gain some perspective about those differences at Kenyon you can look at our data online: [Admissions</a> - Institutional Research - Kenyon College](<a href=“http://www.kenyon.edu/x52324.xml]Admissions”>http://www.kenyon.edu/x52324.xml)</p>

<p>Anyway, I might sound a little defensive but that’s because there’s no need to tell someone not to go somewhere. Every school, not just Kenyon, has a culture that vibes with some people and not others. Check out the school for yourself and form your own opinion. You’ll find people who love and hate their school everywhere. Sometimes it just depends on the day. I’ve loved my experience here at Kenyon and would not trade it for anything in the world. And something to keep in mind – places are not static. People are not static. Everything changes over time. The administrators of 2002-2006 are different from those I’ve had in 2008-2012. And I love them all. They’re great people.</p>

<p>For example during a first-year scavenger hunt during pre-orientation we set a group of 30 first-years running around on-campus. One of their tasks was to get married in the church and to photograph the event. A point for every guest. One group was so adamant about winning on that alone that they stopped everyone and anyone they saw on Middle Path including, they discovered, the President of the College.</p>

<p>And when my class committee had a fundraiser and auctioned off events with professors and administrators, the Provost of the college came running to our booth and wanted to auction off a dinner for four with him and his wife (although we never thought to ask him). That alone ended up going for $120! </p>

<p>Things like these are just common. You’ve got to go out and look for them. College is really what you make of it. Just tonight I came back from walking a professor’s dog. The sunset was so beautiful that it just reminded me of how lucky I am to be here. </p>

<p>Different strokes for different folks.</p>

<p>All the best,
C '12</p>

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<p>@thegirl08: THANK YOU for responding to this thread with your positive experience. I cannot believe that someone actually chose not to apply to Kenyon because of the rumors of lousy internet service (lousy gaming? horrors!). LOL.</p>

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<p>Kenyon’s been at the top of my list, but internet quality is absolutely a valid criterion for college choice. Those of you who say that it doesn’t matter, that the important part is the academics, are missing the point: You have to live at a college campus. That means that any and all changes in your standard of living are going to be permanent features of your life for the duration of your enrollment. </p>

<p>Personally, 2mbps connection speed, as was mentioned here earlier, is unacceptable to me. It’s not just an issue of whether youtube or netflix physically works - I’d like to be able to stream youtube at 1080p, and netflix at the highest available quality. And while I like Kenyon’s candid treatment of the p2p issue - blocking bittorent applications is really inappropriate.</p>

<p>The bottom line is that a 400mbps line for an entire school is an absurd proposition. In some countries, 400mbps would be a reasonable line size for a single person.</p>

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<p>What @infinitysquared says is true: You are going to have to LIVE on the campus (or near it) for at least four years. Little things can make a difference. The OP was just providing his or her perspective. If you’re making a college list you should take that kind of feedback with a grain of salt, just as you should take with a grain of salt the overwhelmingly rosy view of things you’ll get on a college website or on a college tour, when everyone you meet couldn’t imagine themselves anywhere else (I exaggerate, but you get the point). My D and I visited Kenyon; she crossed it off the list immediately because of its remote location. Was she hasty? Maybe. But, then again, maybe not. She would go crazy there. Other people will be so excited about the academic environment they won’t be bothered by the fact that they’d have to take a shuttle bus to get a tube of Chapstick. Again, I exaggerate, but Gambier is teenier and tinier than any town I’ve ever seen. And the day I went, the coffee shop wasn’t scheduled to open until 9 a.m. Caffeine fail!</p>

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<p>My son and I just recently visited campus. I had never heard of the college before. We liked our visit very much. Everyone was really friendly and down-to-earth. I have tried to research the college as much as possible as my son has also applied to Lehigh and University of Delaware. He wants to major in Physics if he goes to Kenyon and mechanical engineering if he goes to the others. Can anyone tell me first-hand what the physics program is like; if internship opportunities exist; and if students are well-prepared for a career in science/engineering upon graduation?</p>

<p>He is also being recruited for lacrosse. Does being a student/athlete mean that he will have no time for anything else?</p>

<p>I would appreciate hearing from a current student majoring in physics, a recent graduate with a career in physics/engineering, and a student/athlete. Kenyon is definitely up there in his top 3 and answers to these questions could really help us to decide.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

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<p>Hey, due to the dated nature of this post, we from Kenyon have chosen to update the information of this post.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Internet is much better now. Although it sucks in some places, it is generally okay at the very worst.</p></li>
<li><p>If you spend the time to make friends from Mt. Vernon (there are Kenyon students from there who are perfectly normal and awesome people) you will quickly realize that, while the town is certainly not without its flaws, it does have SOME stuff. I mean, people live there for god’s sakes - it just takes a little getting used to.</p></li>
<li><p>The Kenyon Community is freaking amazing. I’ve literally never locked my room, the only thefts come from people off-campus. Again, Mt. Vernon is not perfect, but there are advisories when thefts become an issue. The people are why I love this college.</p></li>
<li><p>The administration isn’t really that relevant in terms of day-to-day life at college.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Again, probably the most shocking element of Kenyon will be getting used to the fact that it is quite rural. This is probably the number one reason that people leave. However, once you are able to look over this, I can basically guarantee that you’ll love Kenyon as long as you’re not an ass, because even if we are technically in the middle of nowhere (which is really, really beautiful by the way) it makes for a better collegiate community and a group of really cool, fascinating students.</p>

<p>(This is being written by multiple people, so pardon the dramatic changes in voice here. We all really love it here - if you are interested in Kenyon as a school, try to consider the good parts of this school as well)</p>

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<p>febrezez…</p>

<p>A car – useful to bring (as a freshman) or something else to worry about keeping track of?</p>

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<p>Closing old thread.</p>