<p>I'm a first year from NJ at Grinnell. I just want to emphasize how great of a choice it was to come here. The main thing that attracted me to this campus was the amazing community. Friendly people go here. If you want a passionate/interesting/talented, socially active, and intellectual student body this is the place for you. We're very diverse: 2 posse programs from L.A. and D.C., tons of stuff to do on campus: concerts/dances every weekend, speakers who are at the top of the field, readings, film, etc.... You can get funding to start pretty much any group on campus and immediately take on a leadership role. The Iowa caucus is next year, so if your into politics you will get to see all the candidates for the upcoming election. Iowa is the best place to get involved with a campaign. I already saw o'bama twice and clinton once in my first semester. Grinnell is very liberal with much student government involvement. There's a brand new student center just opened (Joe Rosenfield Center designed by famous architect Cesar Pelli: (good food here), and a new addition to the noyce science center). There's definetly something to be said for the midwest liberal arts college feel: I really liked the midwest liberal arts schools alot better than the ones on the east coast. I got into carleton, macalester, and grinnell, but liked Grinnell the most upon visiting. Academically this school is top notch: small classes, personal relationship with professors, etc. And with the #1 liberal arts endowment lots of money for internships, research, service trips, etc.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me on here.</p>
<p>Hi LaRock</p>
<p>My son has been accepted by Grinnell, is waiting for 7 others, including Mac, Carleton and Oberlin. Can you put into words what felt best about Grinnell?</p>
<p>There's also a new fitness center and some new dorms.</p>
<p>Bethievt:</p>
<p>What felt best about Grinnell was how it makes you feel individual. When I got on campus I felt like I was immediately involved. People can take on leadership positions readily and are respected for doing something they are passionate about. Everyone is so different, but the student body makes you feel comfortable. This type of truly, one that is accepting of everyone, and where everyone knows eachother is very rare. In comaprison to mac, carelton and oberlin, I feel that oberlin is a bit bigger, so your son may lack the community of Grinnell. Macalester is in the city, so students have many off-campus activities to get involved in. This also may detract from community feel. As far as Carelton is concerned I feel that it has a bit more academic snobbery and thus may make students feel uncomfortable and less unified. Feel free to ask me more questoins and I will give you honest answers. Good luck with your son's decision.</p>
<p>Thanks, LaRock</p>
<p>When my son has his stack (I hope!) of acceptances, I (or he) may have more questions. We all really liked Grinnell when we visited, but we also really liked the other 3. They each seemed special and wonderful in slightly different ways.</p>
<p>LaRock - what do you hear from other students about how they/their parents are paying for Grinnell? Any creative things you can pass on to us before we make the big decision?
Grinnell's merit aid wasn't as good as other schools and we didn't expect such a big tuition jump for 07-08.</p>
<p>I would suggest that you tell them about your merit aid offers from other schools. If it's entering into your decision, they would like to know--and you may be able to negotiate more. We inquired about merit money for our son after the first year, because his grades were very good. They gave us $1000 more, which isn't much, but we were surprised they did that.</p>
<p>Do you know if grants are renewable? Or are they completely dependent on financial need of the next year?<br>
I REALLY want to go to Grinnell, even though I'd graduate with more $$ to pay back in loans, I'm willing to go there, but it's still a lot..</p>
<p>grants are renewable (won't change) if your amount of need does not change: grants are need based (dependent on need).... honors scholarships for academics are rewarded as well for first years, and are continued if you keep above a 2.8 GPA, I agree about calling admissions office, initially macalester gave me more financial aid, but they matched it when I called.</p>
<p>Hi LaRock01,
I am a student admitted in class 2011 and I got a grant this year.
I want to know whether I can get a honors scholarships the next year if I do a good job during my first year?
Thank you.</p>
<p>Hi,
I have a question about pre-med/pre-law.</p>
<p>How are the research opportunities, and how easy is it to get internships especially when Grinnell is in such a small town?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>how are the dorms? which dorms are better? are there really quiet floors and do they actually work?</p>
<p>My son has lived in 2 dorms over 3 years and next year will live off campus. His rooms have been decent in size and facilities are good in his dorms. He has been happy with the social environment, etc. As a junior he has several friends on the same hall, some of whom were also on the same hall with him as freshman. He mostly studies in his room and has no trouble with this. The dorms have different personalities, in part related to proximity to various facilities, but the campus is not huge so this is not a really big issue.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how the jazz ensemble sounds? Do they have quite a few kids involved or is it like a big combo? Do they have fun? I saw that they have a concert coming up and that dancing is welcome. (Sounds like fun!) Any information on the group would be most welcome. My son is a junior and loves Grinnell but this is the only thing he couldn't check out on his visits.</p>
<p>Thank you to those willing to answer questions.</p>