<p>S is from a major metropolitan area on the east coast so we too wondered how he’d find being at Grinnell. Turns out that he loves the strong sense of community that arises from a walkable college where 98% of the students live and play on campus for all 4 years (except for that semester abroad in jr year that many do for a change of scene). He loves the courtesy and eye contact that you get walking down the street in a small town. He loves that there is more to do on campus than he can possibly participate in and Grinnell’s huge endowment provides amazing opportunities both on campus and off. Students can go into Des Moines or Iowa City (an hour away for both), but few do because there is so much happening on campus. And because the school is small, the administration is more accessible and flexible, and the personal attention by the faculty can’t compare to UVA and Chapel Hill. (Example: S has had several ‘what are your plans for the future’ conversations with faculty in his major this year because they have noted his talent and wanted to encourage him to continue his studies in their areas when he graduates. How often does this happen at Chapel Hill, I wonder?) </p>
<p>One of the great things about rural LACs is that nobody is a bystander - everyone is on the sports teams, in the orchestra, on stage, in the choir, or doing the community service…And even if you haven’t done something before, you know you’re welcome. (S had never played his sport before arriving at Grinnell but now it’s an integral part of his life - the guys on the team taught him to play and made him welcome.) He gets his ‘urban fix’ when he’s home or when visiting friends who live in urban areas. And have no fear about name recognition among grad schools - they know about Grinnell, as does anyone who knows LACs. </p>
<p>Are there disadvantages? Of course - the culture is very strong and pervasive so fit matters, the winters are bitter cold, and the course offerings and variety of majors will not be as extensive as at UVA and Chapel Hill. There are probably more corporate recruiters coming to those campuses - and more employer internships during the school year. Every school has its trade offs. You and your family have to figure out what matters most to you.</p>