<p>And Iowa City is less than an hour. Really fun town.</p>
<p>SDonCC, I could not access your comparison links for some reason :(. </p>
<p>Seems like the majority votes go to Grinnell, but eventually I can’t go wrong with either? My girlfriend lives in Boston, so Maine would be closer to her, and the GMT is the same, unlike Des Moines’ 1 hour time difference. Most posts here are really convincing me to Grinnell though. You guys have been very insightful and supportive, thanks again and keep em coming!</p>
<p>For the course schedule. For Grinnell, go to the offices heading, then Registrar, then Registration information, then at the top, go to “For a complete 2011-12 Course Schedule listing, go to Search Schedule of Courses (live)” and click on that on the right side!</p>
<p>For Bates, I put “class schedule” in the search box, clicked on the first listing that comes up in the search, then clicked on schedule of courses, then course information, then put in economics…</p>
<p>Told you it was complicated to find!</p>
<p>As for your choice, well one thing is, we don’t know you! So it’s hard to tell you what’s best for you… Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea to make a choice based on a girlfriend, because a) you could break up and where would that leave you… and b) if you’re focused on a girlfriend from home, you may not be throwing yourself wholeheartedly into your new life. </p>
<p>Other than that, yes, you will be fine at either school. You will get a good education, make friends, have interesting experiences, etc. etc.</p>
<p>Thanks SDonCC. Those pages were tricky to find! I will take your comments into consideration. :)</p>
<p>As others have suggested, you should not make your decision based on distance to major cities. Most students at residential colleges like Grinnell and Bates spend 99% of their time during the academic terms on campus or in the immediate surrounding area. Even on most weekends, students are too busy to travel for several hours to and from other cities. You might get to Boston or Chicago during school breaks, but don’t count on frequent trips.</p>
<p>Bates is 2.5 hours from Boston by car and 3 - 3.5 hours by bus. Though the Bates campus is nice, the town of Lewistown, Maine, has little to recommend it.</p>
<p>Comparing resources, Grinnell is the stronger college. Though I have not visited the Grinnell campus, I have travelled in rural Iowa and have found it to be a interesting place.</p>
<p>My recommendation: Stay with Grinnell</p>
<p>Have you posted on Facebook for the Bates and Grinnell classes of 2015? maybe if you ask students why they chose each college there, too, it might help you, and you could also get a sense of what your fellow students might be like. Generally, upperclassmen will post on these pages, too, so they can give you their personal experience. </p>
<p>You’re getting alot of parent views on this forum; you’ll get more students on Facebook. It would be good to hear both perspectives, I think, especially since you can’t visit before you decide.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the suggestions.</p>
<p>“Comparing resources, Grinnell is the stronger college.”</p>
<p>That is a valid point and I agree with you there.</p>
<p>“Have you posted on Facebook for the Bates and Grinnell classes of 2015?”</p>
<p>That’s a great idea! I’ll post something right now :)</p>
<p>Don’t see a right/wrong answer here. </p>
<p>Student body is interchangeably similar academically.
Faculty will be similarly strong, supportive and accessible.
Socially, campus-based focus at both.</p>
<p>Grinnell will have stronger financial resources but doubt that will translate into a meaningful difference in one’s college experience. Student body a bit more quirky and more diverse. Location is very small town cute but does feel more isolated. Workload likely will be more rigorous. Weather will be worse.</p>
<p>Bates’ surrounding town leaves something to be desired but I’d agree Portland and Boston are accessible and offer a good deal more than Iowa City/Des Moines to a college student. Bates is better known and better connected post grad if one’s looking for work in the Boston-NY-Phil-Balt/Wash corridor. More “preps” at Bates but lots of very granola, liberal leaning types as well. </p>
<p>I think Grinnell’s sciences, pretty much across the board, are measurably stronger than Bates but this is not the case in the social sciences and humanities. If economics is your interest, don’t really see a difference and both will offer strong departments. If post grad jobs in business, especially in the Northeast, are on your wish list, Bates may hold some advantage.</p>
<p>Wow thank you wbwa for your balanced account of both schools! I agree with everything you said, but is the weather really worse in Iowa compared to below freezing temps in Maine?</p>
<p>No real break at either school, in respect to cold weather. In January, both run an average high of 29F and average low of 12F (probably overnight.) Grinnell has less annual snowfall (and rainfall.) But, remember, you spend most of your time indoors when the weather is at its coldest. You buy a great parka. And boots. You interact more, face-to-face.</p>
<p>The weather in Iowa is likely to be windier, but not colder or snowier.</p>