Visit Report by bethievt (Member since August 04 2006 with 2891 posts) Visit Date - April 2006
Visit to Grinnell College in April 2006 by bethievt (Parent of Student, HS Class of 2007)
Visit Activities:
Admissions Interview:
Yes - It was my son's second interview. The admissions officer was wonderful--very friendly--and put him at ease right away. Information Session:
Yes - It was well done. Campus Tour:
Yes - We had a student all to ourselves. He was nice, funny and informative. Classroom Visit:
Yes - Highly interactive, lots of class discussion.
Grinnell College Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
The essence of unpretentiousness!
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
When we met the president later, he was just as friendly and down to earth as everyone else.
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
Wow--what a pretty campus--it even got better the next year with a wonderful new student center, a renovated and expanded science center and a new gym that is still in progress. The theatres are NICE!
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
Gorgeous.
Dormitories: 5 - Excellent -
My son is supposedly in the *worst* dorm and it is still guite nice.
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent -
I don't spend a minute worrying about my son's safety.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
It is a lovely place.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good -
Step off the campus and you are in the town.
City/Town/Community: 4 - Very Good -
It's a small rural town with some nice restaurants.
Campus Visit Notes for Grinnell College:
Visit Description:
Some kids maybe couldn't handle the rural nature of the area, but my son finds more than enough to do on campus--there are non-stop activities and funny-sounding student organizations, parties and clubs. Grinnell students are very politically active and socially conscious. Lots of the kids do community service in the town. Internships are big too and the school often finds money to fund unpaid internships. The students we met on campus were multi-talented and very involved.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
I've heard the B&B's are best but we stay outside of town so my hubby can have a fitness facility.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Cafe Phoenix. The Chinese restaurant in town is nice too.
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
Fly into Des Moines or drive from Chicago--don't fly into Cedar Rapids.
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The essence of unpretentiousness!
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Step off the campus and you are in the town.