Visit Report by stepherzzz (Member since December 23 2006 with 70 posts) Visit Date - June 2007
Visit to Grinnell College in June 2007 by stepherzzz (Student, HS Class of 2008)
Visit Activities:
Admissions Interview:
Yes - The interview was relatively informal and the interviewer was really nice. She made me feel comfortable, and was not pressing in her questions. The interview was evaluative as well as informative. Campus Tour:
Yes - It was raining and they gave us umbrellas. The tour guide showed us all the basics. It was a relatively long tour that spanned most of the campus as well as a dorm.
Grinnell College Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: -
There were no students on campus, but my tour guide was very nice.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
One staff member was willing to go out of her way to get me the information I needed when I showed up the day before I was supposed to visit. Extremely friendly and accomodating. Midwestern style.
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
The campus is beautiful. The architecture is a mixture: some of it was very modern and some reminded me of Hogwarts or English castles. The admissions building is impressive.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
Very well-maintained. I didn't smell anything odd and I didn't see anything out of place, really.
Dormitories: 3 - Good -
They were nice. A little small, but probably above average. You can use a keycard to get in, which is convenient. They're located in very pretty buildings, but they're uninspiring.
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent -
It's in the middle of Iowa.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
I was very impressed by Grinnell and could see myself going there. I was worried that it would be way too rural for me, but I got the impression that there was a lot to do on campus. Wonderful.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 3 - Good -
There is a Wal-Mart that is quite some distance from the campus, and there are smaller stores around it as well as a few restaurants. I recommend the Mexican restaurant in town.
City/Town/Community: 3 - Good -
It's not New York City or Boston, but the area surrounding Grinnell has everything you'll need as far as necessities are concerned. It's a small town with some small-town charm.
Campus Visit Notes for Grinnell College:
Visit Description:
My Grinnell interviewer said that Grinnell is not ashamed of its location in small-town Iowa or its difficult curriculum, and I am glad they are not. If you want to go to school in a huge city, Grinnell is not for you. However, it is NOT in Timbuktu. I went to Grinnell during the summer- probably one of the least busy times of the year- and did not feel like it was so isolated. Maybe just a little.
One thing that compensates for Grinnell's "isolation" (though it's approx. 55 miles from Des Moines) is its amazing campus. Grinnell has a HUGE endowment, and the buildings show it. The old architecture seems very well-maintained and the new buildings are stunning and modern. The dining hall was the most impressive I've seen, with high ceilings and beautiful decorations. I forgot I was in the middle of Iowa. The technology seems advanced and nothing about it said "frumpy." It could have been in the middle of a city. However, I think the fact that it is in a more rural location adds to the campus. I appreciate the contrast, and it doesn't have the air pollution of a big city, haha.
Grinnell has an impressive library and an art gallery (Faulconer Gallery) to boot. For those interested in science, the Noyce Science Center is undergoing renovation, and will be finished by the fall of '08.
The thing that I liked about Grinnell the most was the fact that there was something for everyone. Grinnell, not normally seen as a "jock school," has extremely impressive athletic facilities. Everything seemed very accessible, as well, since Grinnell has a small student body.
Grinnell seems like it has a lot to offer for just about anyone.
ALSO, about the dorms, because my last comments won't fit: the dorms are definitely NOT dungeon-like, they're relatively nice. They're just very small. I would not classify them as amazing. But the rest of Grinnell is.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
Most of the hotels were full because we came during a reunion.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
I liked the Mexican restaurant in town.
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There were no students on campus, but my tour guide was very nice.
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One staff member was willing to go out of her way to get me the information I needed when I showed up the day before I was supposed to visit. Extremely friendly and accomodating. Midwestern style.
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They were nice. A little small, but probably above average. You can use a keycard to get in, which is convenient. They're located in very pretty buildings, but they're uninspiring.