So how are the people at Grinnell?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Grinnell College
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<p>I've been admitted to the class of 2015 through ED...
And I've friended some of my future classmates and I've been friended by some, on facebook that is. All of them seem to be such happy, optimistic, crazy nice people...that would look at me funny if I uttered anything remotely sarcastic or profane. I LIVE on sarcasm, and I throw around curse words as terms of endearments (with my friends that is).
I think I would die of frustration if everyone around me was scary sugar-coated.
Have you ever seen Skins? Yeah, that's how my life is now. I'm from England by the way.</p>

<p>So my question is, do you think I could fine some like-minded people there, or is the chance of that somewhere next to zero?</p>

<p>Thanks (:</p>

<p>Also, one more thing I'd like to ask, how good-looking are the people at Grinnell (wow, that makes me sound conceited, but I just generally want to know)?
And how's the dating scene?</p>

2

<p>Hello lucky individual, I am Benji and a first-year at Grinnell…</p>

<p>First off, congratulations! </p>

<p>Well lets get started…you’d fit right at home here kid. We are all a little bit snarky and curse words are common. I personally love British Cursing if I say so myself. Its a lot more harsh and gets to the point quicker. It has some meaning. Also, the Skins life must be nice o.o.</p>

<p>Anyhow as long as you don’t throw derogatory statements, you’ll be fine. Sarcasm is beloved here. </p>

<p>So yeah, like-minded folks a plenty. Also, I do have to say it varies. Some people are really good-looking, others not so much…yet, after two months looks become irrelevant and you start falling for the people outside the look…call it Camp Fever or Grinnell Goggles but yeah its there. So when your about, people start looking a lot more beautiful as time goes on. =) Whichever preference too.</p>

<p>Anyhow, dating scene. I have been in one here and its like any other college. THERE IS A MASSIVE hook-up scene here. So dating isn’t that common, but its very prevalent across campus, so it depends on what your looking for.</p>

<p>Grinnell has all the needs for a billion people, so if you have any other questions, don’t be afraid to ask. (I haunt the FB group sometimes ready to give some advice)</p>

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<p>Thanks for the info (:
I somehow ended up doing a rant up there, because all the niceties / pleasentries I had to utter in the last few days had driven me crazy.</p>

<p>Also, you say that dating isn’t common, yet in the same sentence you say it’s prevalent on campus? How…exactly does that work?
And since you’ve offered to answer questions, how’s the food (:?</p>

<p>(I kind of don’t appreciate being called kid though, I’m probably as old as you)</p>

4

<p>No problemo =)</p>

<p>Oh no worries, we all get like that. </p>

<p>Anyhow…its weird…I mean people date, and you’ll see many people in relationships…yet they don’t last (if they do they are really special. There are time tables actually, one month, six months, year and so on…a year is practically married in Grinnell standards). So its both rare in working, but common in happening I suppose…though most just try to stay out of the term ‘relationship’ and monogamously hook up with the same person for a period of time…</p>

<p>So yeah, that.</p>

<p>Well, the food no matter how much we complain is incredible. Compared to a looooot of colleges, our food is top-notch. We’ve even been profiled in Rachel Ray (Dunno if it matters across the pond but…still big here). People do get sick of it though because the meals can be repetitive, but if you generally just like food, you can’t go wrong. Plus there are many other options. We have the Marketplace Grille who make awesome Panini’s (and Outtakes when your studying, which are pretty much bag lunches), and Bob’s Underground with its awesome Bagels in many flavor combos. (The prices vary and if you have Dining Dollars in your meal plan, its a great investment). There are also a lot of good places in town, and many are relatively cheap. =) You’ll get used to them too, especially Chuong Garden, Thai Basil, and La Cabana, whom are very good Chinese, Thai, and Mexican places.</p>

<p>So trust me when I say, your probably not going to have as much as a good time with food anywhere else. (Just be careful to not come right at Noon or 6. That’s when everyone comes). </p>

<p>Finally, alright then,I will abstain from calling you kid hopeful future Grinnellian, I was aiming for more badass movie dialogue but alright, I shall call you awesome hopeful future Grinnellian then ^^.</p>

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<p>Well hello there new best friend!
I was also a victim of some extremely nice, polite and non-substantial small talk that made me want to throw up a bit and question what I’ve gotten myself into.</p>

<p>Thanks for the information zeledobnb btw :)</p>

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<p>Hi OP, My son is a senior who has loved his time at Grinnell. He can definitely be sarcastic and profane at times and yet he’s a kind and thoughtful person. I happen to think that’s a great combination.</p>

<p>I agree that the food is unusually good for college dining and the student center is a wonderful place to eat and hang out.</p>

<p>My son has been in a relationship for 3 years and it has continued after his gf graduated, so that happens too.</p>

<p>Oh, and my son and his friends are very good looking!</p>

<p>I predict you will love it. My son had 10 very good colleges to choose from and is very happy he chose Grinnell.</p>

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<p>if you take a look at the satirical newspaper, the B & S, you will realize how irreverent the students can be…</p>

<p>The “real” newspaper also gives a good feeling for the students and student life there, too, I think. It seems to me that Grinnellians like to speak their minds…</p>

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<p>Oh we do SDonCC, we really do o.o.</p>

<p>Anyhow, no worries hellosunschein =)</p>

<p>Overall I think the usual thing to consider in Grinnell is basically that there are things for everyone for whatever you want. The school does a great job accommodating EVERYONE o.o…so if you can think it…we probably have it.</p>

<p>(Archimedes’ Sun Rays and Jet Packs not included…although…)</p>

<p>And the S & B and B & S is entirely ran free-lance so that’s even more of a sign of the times I suppose. =)</p>

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<p>Am I the only one getting a bad vibe from this thread?</p>

<p>I attended an open house at another school where a panel of students answered questions from the audience. Someone asked about the homework load, and it was clear from the question what sort of answer he was looking for. The panel gave him exactly that answer, which was NOT the answer most of the audience was hoping to hear. In a misguided attempt at damage control, other students on the panel spoke up in contradiction to the first student, throwing the pendulum to the other extreme, which set off a whole different reaction from the crowd. By the time they finished backing their way out of it, we had been told both extremes and the middle, and nobody could believe anything that the panel said. Instead of appeasing that one student, the panel alienated the entire audience.</p>

<p>So onceandagain asks here about swearing and sarcasm at Grinnell, and I find out that everyone at Grinnell is snarky and sarcastic and profanity is everywhere. Zeledonb prefers British cursing because it’s harsher than American F-bombs and crude anatomical references. There is a massive hook-up (casual sex) culture at Grinnell, but few actual relationships.</p>

<p>What about other prospies on CC who don’t relish the idea of going to college surrounded by a bunch of foul-mouthed teenagers? F-bombs shouted in the hallways in high school aren’t cool to anyone except the idiots doing the shouting, and some of us were hoping to leave that mentality behind. A culture of disposable relationships doesn’t imply maturation beyond high school either. Is Grinnell really like this, or has the school been misrepresented in an attempt to lure one student at the expense of potentially alienating many others? (Remember, archives are forever…)</p>

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<p>I see what you mean, spdf, but I think students are basically saying that there are all kinds of people at Grinnell and just about anyone could fit in. As I tried to say, my son is really nice but I’m quite sure he utters curse words at times and he can certainly be sarcastic too. As I also said, he’s been in a relationship for 3 years with a wonderful young woman. I know nothing about the “hook-up culture” there and don’t love the idea, but I think it is common on college campuses these days. In fact, I think it was common back in the 60s and 70s when I was in college, though there were also students in committed relationships.</p>

<p>I’ve hosted and been hosted by several Grinnell students and have met a number of Grinnell parents too. They have all been outstanding people I’m proud to know. That doesn’t mean that the OP would be uncomfortable on campus. There’s no question of luring the OP to Grinnell. He or she has been accepted ED and therefore will be attending.</p>

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<p>spdf, I see your point, and I guess for my part, I was trying to show that students there can be very witty and irreverent. I guess I’m not really sure how the OP’s question would be answered except to point out some examples. He comes from another country, and thinks he’s headed to a land of Susie Sunshine and Victor Vapid. I don’t mean this as a putdown of the class of '15 members who posted on Facebook; I’m sure everyone who’s been posting on Facebook are really excited to be going to Grinnell and so they should be!! </p>

<p>Anyway, I would say that the comment about “there are things in Grinnell for everyone for whatever you want” is the most apt here. I recall a mom (which I am) saying on a past thread is that Grinnell students have a “come as you are” attitude. That really resonated with me, and that I think is one of the very appealing reasons my S picked Grinnell last year. The lack of pretension or trying to fit into a mold, a respect for diversity and quirks in all forms, whether it’s excessive swearing or eternal sweetness and light!</p>

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<p>Also, when I said that Grinnellians speak their mind, I didn’t mean that they just love to throw around swear words or are always sarcastic. I meant it in a very positive sense: that they comment on life and speak out on issues (large and small).</p>

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<p>I also took zeledonb’s comment that “we’re all a little bit snarky” with a grain of salt. that’s not a word I’d ever associate with my S.</p>

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<p>Maybe I’m wrong, SDonCC, but I think snarky means witty and irreverent, not mean. My son definitely could be described as witty and irreverent. I think that would also describe his dear friends I’ve met.</p>

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<p>maybe you’re right. I thought it had a mean-spirited implication, and I know we’d agree that our sons wouldn’t fit that definition of it!!</p>

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<p>Notice that Zeledonb says “as long as it’s not derogatory”, therefore free speech, but not mean. That’s the sense I get.</p>

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<p>Exactly! =D</p>

<p>I mean it as, you are really getting everything here. If you don’t want to be in the situation of cursing and negativity (beyond you know…Finals week), then you’ll find it. There is the GCCF and NYAW and a few other things on campus that are sub-free, prim and proper, and generally bright and sunny.</p>

<p>Then there are people who are deadpan snarkers and enjoy discussion and not far from voicing an opinion. Everyone here is unique and you learn to accept others pretty quickly here. Also, if you do go out of line and do say or do something incredibly offensive, you will hear about it, so fair warning. I mean though the not “hurt your feelings” kind but the “attempting to hurt a person truly emotionally” kind.</p>

<p>YMMV? Just know the limits and think about what you say. </p>

<p>Self-Gov is Love. =)</p>

<p>It also depends on who you are around I guess too so be wary of that…soooo I guess that’s it o.o. Overall, I had two extremes in my future before coming here, and I took the Self-Gov method and enjoy it. Just don’t get over your head ^^</p>

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<p>Whoa you guys. Let’s all calm down.</p>

<p>Onceandagain: I think it’s kind of silly that you’re worried about the entire campus being bland and cheerful after only having looked at the activity of a handful of not-yet-students on the internet. Sure, some people here are like that, but the vast majority are, ya know, nuanced and interesting individuals who can’t be summed up by comparisons to characters on a TV show. In general I’d say Grinnell people are smart and friendly, with a good sense of humor. And yes, included in that group is people who enjoy snark and sarcasm and won’t be shocked if you do too.</p>

<p>RE: your Skins comment. Uh, I don’t know a single person who actually lives like the people on Skins, but if you’re asking if we party here, the answer is yes. Not everybody does and the degrees to which they do vary a lot, but Grinnell is not a monastery and its party scene is about in line with most other small liberal arts colleges (think Wesleyan, Macalester, Carleton, etc.)</p>

<p>spdf: your inferences on Grinnell culture are pretty unfair, I think, especially since you’re not a student. Clearly, the admissions officers want everyone to come to Grinnell, and yes, they may adjust their representation of the school to make it attractive to everyone. That said, Grinnell is like anywhere else in the world in that it is what you make of it. Some people will say Grinnell gives tons of homework and is a really rigorous school, while others would say it only gives an average amount and is pretty easy. There isn’t one single “hardness” number that the administration can crunch and throw at you to help you figure out how rigorous the school is. It’s as rigorous as you make it. Most people I know agree that Grinnell’s a fairly hard school, but probably only about as difficult as our peer institutions. </p>

<p>Foul-mouthed teenagers? That’s condescending and just plain false. Does it really seem plausible that a respected college is secretly full of immature, rude sex fiends? Some Grinnell people swear a lot. Some don’t. Some Grinnell people have a lot of casual sex. Some dont. I don’t know how much you know about higher education in the United States, or just young adults in general, but active hookup scenes and occasional immaturity are kind of our thing. Grinnell has its share of both, but again, no more so than other colleges like us.</p>

<p>I really hope that no prospective/admitted students were turned off by Grinnell after reading this thread, or the Facebook groups, or College *******, etc. I too looked online to try to get a sense of what Grinnell was like before coming, and the impression I got was only sort of close to the real thing. Remind yourself that internet forums and Facebook groups tend to attract certain types of people, and they may not share your perspectives on the school.</p>

<p>What I’m saying is, please take anything people say about Grinnell on the internet with a grain of salt. I guarantee you’re never really getting the whole picture.</p>

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<p>Oh and RE: attractiveness.</p>

<p>Wow, I don’t know man.</p>

<p>I find a lot of Grinnell people to be quite attractive. And there’s a fair number I find unattractive. I wish I could give you a detailed hAwTnEsS rating but I seem to have misplaced the part of my brain that finds that relevant. For real, please do no waste neurons on worrying about how attractive the campus is. Guarantee ya you’ll have people you wanna make out with.</p>