Is it really that quirky a school?

jomomma · 07-30-2009, 10:20 AM

I am intrigued by Grinnell. A well endowed LAC without pretensions sounds refreshing. However I have read that the kids are quirky or oddballish. Would a down to earth smart athletic guy fit in to the Grinnell scene?

M's Mom · 07-30-2009, 05:07 PM

'Quirky' and 'oddballish' don't really describe my son or his friends. They tend to be hard-working and into either music or athletics (since he does both). What they are not is preppy-or fratty or artsy-in the slightest. The quirky kids are there and find easy acceptance, although walking around campus it can be hard to spot them-exhibitionism is generally frowned on as a midwestern trait, along with pretentiousness.

jomomma · 07-30-2009, 06:31 PM

Thanks for responding. It sounds like a school we should check out soon. We just visited some NE LACs and would love to have a look at Grinnell. Do you think it is best to avoid Iowa Private Colleges Week?

M's Mom · 07-30-2009, 09:28 PM

Definitely. We went during a quiet week in July and had a tour guide to ourselves. S interviewed with someone on the admissions staff-they talked for over an hour and then invited me to come in. By the time he walked out, he was sure Grinnell was the right place for him.

If you come during Private Colleges Week, you are unlikely to get all that personal attention.

sunmachine · 07-30-2009, 09:50 PM

What really struck me about the Grinnell students I saw during my visit was how content they were just to be themselves. No one appeared to be striving to conform, yet no one appeared to be making a great effort to be "different."

If I could describe Grinnell students in one phrase, it would be, "Come as you are."

Austinhills · 07-31-2009, 12:21 AM

Is "Discover Grinnell" on Oct 9 a good time to visit? Or would it better to come on our own, say, some other Friday in the fall?

Father of the Boarder · 08-12-2009, 10:48 AM

"Would a down to earth smart athletic guy fit in to the Grinnell scene? "

Does the fact that over 40% compete in intercollegiate athletics, and that about 90 percent were in the top 10% of their class answer your question? I would have to respond that the majority fit your description. Probably it would help that the smart characteristic surpass the athletic talent to "keep up", but the school would always appreciate a really smart very athletic applicant.