Why Grinnell

<p>I have a question about supplemental essay. I wrote the Common App essays and felt that I couldn’t explain myself within those limits, no matter how much I tried. I would like to send an essay I wrote for Kenyon (that is not Kenyon specific,) which (somehow magically and accidentally) sums me up.
Would that just be obnoxious? If it is obnoxious, what do you recommend as a more tactful way?</p>

<p>^You still have to write the required supplemental essays; that’s why they’re required.</p>

<p>But if you want to send the Kenyon essay as well, you could try submitting it as a creative writing arts supplement (check to see whether Grinnell accepts creative writing as arts supplement, as many schools do not) under creative nonfiction.</p>

<p>cancelling post; i realized deadline for app is past.</p>

<p>oompaloompa–As I recall the Grinnell app just required the common ap essay and some other short answer thing. It did require a little thought and time, but most of the effort was the CA essay that just about everyone writes anyway.</p>

<p>^I don’t know about this year, but when I applied last year, I was relieved to discover that a prior application I’d submitted to Grinnell for visiting in the fall would substitute for the CA supplement–not because I dislike writing essays (quite the opposite), but because I couldn’t think of what mascot to suggest. :rolleyes:</p>

<p>Among LACs, Grinnell has one of the largest international student populations (currently at 12%). The website currently features a story on a recent International Dinner on campus, and this prompted me to look at the International Affairs page. I wanted to share this campus magazine (student written) just to give people a flavor of what the college is like. I think it’s helpful for international prospies and for domestic students as it captures alot about the school.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/files/downloads/MOSAIC%20Fall%202010.pdf[/url]”>http://www.grinnell.edu/files/downloads/MOSAIC%20Fall%202010.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>(btw, the closet space varies by dorm! In my S’s dorm, he and his roommate each have their own large, walk-in closet! You may think my comment is a non sequitur, but if you read the magazine, you’ll see why I noted this…)</p>

<p>this is one issue. There are others on the website for those interest at this link. </p>

<p>[MOSAIC</a> - International Student Affairs | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/offices/studentaffairs/oisa/mosaic]MOSAIC”>http://www.grinnell.edu/offices/studentaffairs/oisa/mosaic)</p>

<p>In the spring '10 issue, a student encounters the benefits of living in a small town where strangers are helpful and friendly…</p>

<p>My daughter has applied RD for the class of '15 and without yet visiting, has gotten increasingly excited about Grinnell. Does anyone have a feeling about support for a student with learning disabilities?</p>

<p>how fitting. I went to the website to look up academic support services, and found this:
[Grinnell</a> Science Project Awarded White House Honor - Divisions | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/divisions/science/gsp/gsp-receives-white-house-honor]Grinnell”>http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/divisions/science/gsp/gsp-receives-white-house-honor)</p>

<p>Not necessarily re: learning disabilities, but a demonstration of the college’s support for all students to succeed and to fulfill its mission in achieving a more just and diverse society!</p>

<p>Anyway… I remembered, too, a letter we received as part of the first-year orientation packet, and there is a letter “to students with disabilities,” which was a wonderful outreach. Without putting the whole letter online, it acknowledges that students might not want to ask for accomodations in college, but encourages them to at least come in for a conversation. It also lists a program during orientation called “Navigating Grinnell: Services and Supports for Students with Disabilities.”</p>

<p>Grinnell has an academic advising center with a variety of support services that is open to all students, not just those with learning disabilities.</p>

<p>One of the most wonderful things about Grinnell, IMO, is that it treats students like adults who must learn to make their own decisions (hence the “self-governance” system and the curriculum formerly known as “open” and now called “individually advised” – or something like that), but provides alot of institutional support and individualized guidance behind / beneath / around them.</p>

<p>and, another national award, this time for the library program. Again, another example of the personalized approach at Grinnell.</p>

<p>[Libraries</a> Receive Excellence in Academic Libraries Award - Libraries | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/library/acrlaward]Libraries”>http://www.grinnell.edu/library/acrlaward)</p>

<p>If anyone is interested about whether or not Grinnell will accept those supplemental essays, I sent my to my admissions conselor. He said he’d put it in my file. I guess they do accept it. Now all I have to do is wait until March 26th.</p>

<p>bump…</p>

<p>I applied to Grinnell EDI, and got in! I am very excited. I’m actually from Des Moines, so I’ve known about Grinnell since my first year of high school. I went on an official visit in September, and absolutely loved it. It is nice to meet you all!</p>

<p>Glad to have you Rachela. If you have any questions, do not be afraid to ask. To be a Grinnellian is to be open and thats what we are ^^</p>

<p>Congrats Rachela, I hope to see you next year. I love Grinnell the more I hear about it. It’s just seems so perfect for me. All those little details add up. Open curriculum, teaching at the penitentiary for a credit, my conversation with Professor Chasson, possibly creating my own major.
Why do you love Grinnell (open to anyone of course)?</p>

<p>Hmm. Well I love the squirrels, all the crazy people, all the things they do and I can do, Bob’s, Noyce, the always helpful Profs, the enthusiasm, the crazy traditions, the Quad, the D-Hall…eh screw it, I just love Grinnell ^^.</p>

<p>Hello, everyone! Thank you for putting together such a wonderful thread. It has a lot of great insights.</p>

<p>I was recently admitted for the Class of 2015! I’m very excited about Grinnell, but I have a couple of concerns and questions for the group gathered here.</p>

<p>Two of the most important things I considered in my college search were writing programs and pre-law preparation. I applied to a lot of highly selective schools, but Grinnell was always near the top of my list, because I felt confident that it could offer amazing opportunities with its small size, great academics, and amazing endowment.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any specific experience at Grinnell for law school admissions? How do you guys feel about the school newspaper? Are there any other writing programs/classes/activities you would suggest? Does anyone have experience with Grinnell in DC?</p>

<p>Also, I’ve been trying to tell my friends about Grinnell, but it is very difficult to explain its appeal. I can easily explain why I like the environment of the campus, but I often see people roll their eyes at Grinnell, even though I feel like its one of the top liberal arts schools in the country. How do you deal with Grinnell’s lack of recognition?</p>

<p>Here are the websites for the school newspaper and its satirical counterpart.

thebands.biz</p>

<p>That’s about all I can help you with. As far as the name thing goes, well, we just make sure to say, “he goes to school in Iowa at Grinnell College” to ward off the inevitable, “Oh Cornell, that’s a great school.” </p>

<p>(I’m a parent, btw, not a student)</p>

<p>debutnovel</p>

<p>I admit it annoys me that few people in the Northeast recognize the Grinnell name. My son tells me that many of his Grinnell classmates are the children of college profs from all over the country. They do know about and highly respect Grinnell. My son just wanted the best academic and social experience he could find. He has had that at Grinnell. It wouldn’t be the best fit for everyone, obviously. Grad schools do know about Grinnell’s excellence. It is not a pretentious place and this maybe leads to less name recognition outside of the Great Midwest, but, imo, it’s a very attractive quality.</p>

<p>SDonCC–I get that all the time about Cornell.</p>

<p>On the positive side, the Grinnell alumni network looks out for its own. Be sure to use it - and some day, pay it forward.</p>

<p>I’m attending Grinnell next year, but there’s one thing I’ve been wondering about. I’ve heard lots of people talk about bringing a bike to Grinnell, but is it possible to just walk across town? I’d love to be able to walk or jog to classes instead of riding a bike, but I can’t really get a sense of scale for the town. How far is it from end to end? Walkable?</p>