<p>why do people always talk about how amazing Grinnell is? i always thought of it as a back up school in the middle of no where with fairly good academics. but ive found out they actually have more money than amherst or pomona. and less students. what makes it so amazing? i dont get it? anyone wish to help me?</p>
<p>They have a huge amount of money to support great facilities and great faculty, as well as attract great students. They have an extremely intelligent and active student body. For me it was the combination of very very strong academics with a great art program -- a downside that it's in the middle of nowhere becomes an upside (so they say) beacuse they bring great things to campus and campus life is extremely active. They produce a huge number of PhDs as well. They are jsut a very well rounded, cheap in comparison, and strong school. Don't know what to tell ya.</p>
<p>Hear hear. Grinnell is underestimated due to its location, but this shouldn't hinder anyone from applying. I visited last fall, and what really attracted me were the very strong academics, beautiful facilities, picturesque town, and incredibly friendly students and staff. I also felt a strong sense of community on the campus. Plus, the lack of required classes allows for academic freedom, for those who like that. Grinnell is a great school; I hope I get in!!</p>
<p>My son is a freshman and very, very happy. The huge endowment is reflected in great facilities, wonderful(free) on campus activities, terrific faculty who teach full time and a relatively low tuition. The school is steeped in tradition related to community service and awareness-there is a sense of mission. I think if it were located anywhere else it would be incredibly hard to get into, as it is the admit rate is dropping, and they yield was up last year by quite a bit. The students are broad minded, intellectually stimulating and fun loving (per my son) and there is a very high % of international students (very important to my son)...As for the location, he feels a bit isolated, but is not complaining....he sure has managed to hold down his costs and not miss any fun!</p>
<p>All that said, there are, of course, other schools with many of these attributes, but few with all of them!!</p>
<p>My son is a freshman - also very, very happy. He's played varsity sports for three seasons (anyone can join any team - even if you've never played before), been active in theatre productions, taken music lessons on a new instrument... He seems to go to at least one party every weekend. I know there's drinking, but, for the most part, I don't think it's too excessive and rates are lower than the nat'l avg. There are students who don't drink. Students have initiated a request for a substance-free dorm. Socially, he's definitely having a lot of fun and is busy all the time. Academically, he's working hard, has had a mix of great and not-so-great teachers. This summer, Grinnell is probably going to give him a grant to support a summer internship. Kids who are applying now will benefit from all the new construction - new dorms, new gym with fitness center, new dining hall and student center. In terms of academic buildings, the science building is new, as is performing arts center. The only bad thing about the location is that it's hard to get to and from at times other than breaks. And sometimes the airport shuttles don't match very well with flights so he wastes a few hours in the airport. The "middle of nowhere" factor doesn't seem to be a problem otherwise. My son's roommate has a car - and they have yet to drive to Iowa City (where the Univ of Iowa is).</p>
<p>so if i wanted to start doing pole vault and playing guitar, grinnell would help me do these things? even though ive never done either.</p>
<p>I think this was why my son picked Grinnell, ultimately. The tour guide gave the impression that Grinnell is a place where people are encouraged and have the confidence to try new things...to really figure out what they are all about. He liked that. I would say that he has yet to extend himself as much as he might in that sense (no new instrument), but he is "slow to warm" and probably will get it going sooner or later!!</p>
<p>Yes, the instrument my son tried out was guitar (he decided he's got zero musical talent). If they have pole vaulting (and since they have a track team I assume they do), you can give it a try. You might not get to compete (unless it turns out that you're better than kids who've been doing it), but they have a no-cuts policy for sports. The good thing about D-3 sports, at least at Grinnell, is that academics come first. If he has to miss a game or a practice, it's not a big deal.</p>
<p>grinnell sounds wonderful. i had it pretty low on my list, but now it sounds hard to turn down.
also, one more question, does anybody know if grinnell has a strong math/stat program? lately ive been interested in the actuarial profession and trying to figure out how to get into it without going somewhere with an actuarial science major (none of the schools appealed to me, all too big or not for me ie penn and nyu).</p>
<p>thank you all so much, i think i just might take grinnell up on that free trip in april!</p>
<p>Kosuke,
You should definitely visit. While you are there you can talk to the math profs. about your interests. Robert Noyce, the founder of Intel, is a Grinnell alum. There are lots of kids studying math and math/computer science there as a result of his generosity and inspiration. I don't know anything about actuarial science, though I do know 2 actuaries! They both went to large state U's...for what it is worth. </p>
<p>I think it is the kind of school that you will have a gut feeling about one way or another right away. Good luck.</p>
<p>My dd also applied because it is known as a particularly vibrant campus and the GC said with the endowment they can do 'anything they want.' It was low on the list but still made the cut after EA at Chicaco when she dropped many wonderful schools. The more she learns the more she likes. I hope we get a chance to visit. But have to wait to see acceptance.</p>
<p>Whoops! Not that it matters, but my son is a sophomore (not a frosh as I said above) - and still loving it.</p>