<p>I grew up in a small town in MN and Grinnell did seem rural even to me on our first visit (I now live in a small town in VT), but the town and the campus have taken over my heart. We loved the college from the minute we got there during son’s junior year, but the town took some getting used to. We are now used to it and loving it. I’m glad/sad he’s in his senior year. I missed going back to the campus last year because our son was studying abroad in Morocco. Loved being there for Family Weekend this fall. I have to believe we will keep going back. Not in the winter though!!</p>
<p>I have read this whole thread, as I am trying to figure out whether or not to apply to Grinnell. All of your comments about the unpretentious, accepting students have won me over. Grinnell sounds like a great place to be! Thanks for the thread.</p>
<p>Wow–if you self-identify as a nerd who wants to study virology, you should definitely apply! The science programs sound incredible (my son is a history major and that program is great too, but I think the small class sizes in even intro science classes is unusual).</p>
<p>Hey everyone!
I am thinking about applying to Grinnell shortly. I read the thread and I was like WOW! Grinnell seems just too good to be true… I learnt that the sciences were top-notch…I am thinking of studying Computer Science and Economics…can anyone tell me how those two are at Grinnell? Also, I am an international student and could not help but notice most of the people above were natives. Does anyone happen to know how is the “international” feel of the campus? Thanks!</p>
<p>11% of the student body is international, which is among the highest for the LACs and the school spends a lot of money bringing non-US artists and musicians to campus. That said, you are not going to find the international cultural enclaves in a small Iowa college town that exists in most major US cities- so you’ll have to bring your own behl puri, kim chee or comfort food of choice for a taste of home.</p>
<p>buzzybee, I definitely recommend you apply. The sciences are indeed top notch, and you have many, many opportunities for undergraduate research and independent work with the professors.</p>
<p>I’m a Grinnell native who has taken some math and physics classes at Grinnell, and I am applying for entrance next year. I can field some questions if need be.</p>
<p>If anyone could answer my question, it would help me a lot.
I’m thinking about applying ED II for Grinnell (January 2nd deadline). I really like Grinnell, have competitive scores for it (unweighted GPA 4.00, SAT score of 1410, good ECs), but will need a lot of financial aid.
I am aware that if I apply EDII I will need to go to Grinnell if I’m accepted, but, what is the difference between EDII and RD, is it just in the couple of days difference in the deadline?
Thank you in advance!</p>
<p>If you apply EDII you commit to attending Grinnell or most other schools that have EDII and you learn the decision early. There is a clause in most ED applications that allows you to change your mind if you receive a better financial aid package.</p>
<p>If you apply RD, the school agrees to admit you, but you do not have to commit to them when you apply. You learn the decision later. </p>
<p>It’s important to get precise and official information when making these decisions. Here are the Grinnell links:</p>
<p>[Application</a> Options - Admission | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/admission/apply/options]Application”>http://www.grinnell.edu/admission/apply/options)
[Early</a> Decision - Admission | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/admission/apply/options/earlydec]Early”>http://www.grinnell.edu/admission/apply/options/earlydec)</p>
<p>Buzzybee,</p>
<p>If you are interested in computer science and economics, look at these websites:</p>
<p>From Grinnell
[Computer</a> Science | | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.cs.grinnell.edu/]Computer”>http://www.cs.grinnell.edu/)
[Information</a> for visitors and prospective students | Computer Science](<a href=“http://www.cs.grinnell.edu/node/10]Information”>http://www.cs.grinnell.edu/node/10)
[Economics</a> - Catalog | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/catalog/academic-program/courses/economics]Economics”>http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/catalog/academic-program/courses/economics)</p>
<p>From rmp – see comment
[Grinnell</a> College - Iowa](<a href=“http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/SelectTeacher.jsp?the_dept=Computer+Science&orderby=TDept&letter=C&sid=383]Grinnell”>http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/SelectTeacher.jsp?the_dept=Computer+Science&orderby=TDept&letter=C&sid=383)
[Grinnell</a> College - Iowa](<a href=“http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/SelectTeacher.jsp?the_dept=Economics&orderby=TDept&letter=E&sid=383]Grinnell”>http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/SelectTeacher.jsp?the_dept=Economics&orderby=TDept&letter=E&sid=383)</p>
<p>You should take the rmp website with a grain of salt since these are just student reviews and may not be reliable.</p>
<p>Hi everyone. Grinnell recently accepted my ED I application, and I’m extremely excited to go! You guys on this thread seem to have a wealth of information about Grinnell, so I hope I may be able to ask for some of your opinions (or opinions your children at Grinnell have) about the particular resident halls. Which halls are the most convenient? Are the new ones the best? Any other advice? I’m filling out my Rooming Form right now and want to be sure that I make an informed decision.</p>
<p>Also, some of you mentioned Grinnell’s music program. I know auditions take place the first week of the semester, but does anyone know what the process is like for the orchestra? Thanks!</p>
<p>If I get in to Grinnell with EDI or EDII, and I happen not to be able to finance my education, does it mean I still need to go ? How does that work out?
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the trouble.</p>
<p>Hey dakilica, I’m just wondering, since you’re from Serbia, how do you know your GPA is 4.0? I mean…do you go to an international school with letter grades? Or do you have number grades? And if you do have number grades how did you calculate that…or did you just get straight -insert higest number grade-s every year?</p>
<p>Just wondering cause I think we probably have the same system for grades and I’d like to somewhat make an approximation of my GPA.</p>
<p>In any case, I think that if you can’t pay for the college then you don’t have to go. But I believe you have to provide proof that you can’t go…</p>
<p>Well, in Serbia, the scale is actually from 1 to 5, where 1 is a failing grade, 5 is maximum, so the maximum GPA is 5.00, but I transfered it to 4.00 to make it easier for the people used to USA grading systems.
In order to pass a subject, you need a 2.00, and to get an A you need a 4.5. Maximum for any subject is 5.00, and max overall is 5.00 (unweighted, meaning taking a mean for all grades and number of classes). I’m currently taking 12 classes, each one with a 5.
So yeah, I just got =insert highest number grades= every year. :)</p>
<p>Right, we have the same system then :P. I’m just pretty shocked you actually have a 5 average, since there hasn’t been a single person in my school to have that…ever x). Highest was 4.8 I think (:</p>
<p>But wow 
God, you’ll be competition if you apply ED2 :P</p>
<p>Well, education’s kinda my only chance. 
Are you male or female? Seems Grinnell wants guys now slightly more than girls to keep the ratio up :)</p>
<p>Hah, I’m a girl, tough luck I guess :P. The only good thing, I guess, is that I know Jon Edwards and he introduced me to some students and faculty, and I’ve been corresponding with them via email (:</p>
<p>Thanks @M’s mom @Applicant1993 </p>
<p>@pastalover Thank u so much…I did check the sites…and rmp site said a lot! stupid of me but I never thought of using rmp…</p>
<p>Seems I am assured of the CS and eco study. and guys how does Grinnell value the applicant’s interest? I am an international and due to HUGE loadshedding, we hardly have electricity…so almost no internet and almost no emails with the college…how hard does that hamper my application?</p>
<p>Well, I don’t see how the applicants circumstances could affect his application in a negative way… Don’t worry!</p>
<p>Love what I’ve read about Grinnell to date (I’m the nerdy parent who has collected lots of those Insider’s/Fiske type books). Would have loved D to apply–but she’s applying to 8 schools as it is (three of them in the midwest). All those essays, etc.–on top of current school load–gets stressful. The lack of pretension among very bright students sounds VERY attractive. Well, D’s got two more siblings to follow–perhaps will persuade one of them to visit and apply?</p>
<p>My freshman son just received a mailer from this college. Love it–get the seed planted early! :)</p>