visit to Rhodes

koveracre
Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:34:07 +0000

Hi krakenjack,

I actually just spoke with the dean of learning communities a few days ago–I didn’t choose to live in one but after talking with him about it I wish I had given it more consideration. From my understanding, a LC is basically a grouping of students in the same dorm and floor (ex. Bellingrath, second floor) that are all taking the same course. Currently Rhodes offers six learning communities:

1. British Empire

2. Search

3. Life (all students take Search or Life for the general humanities requirement, so those are both great options)

4. Enviornmental Studies

5. American Studies

6. Art LC

I have heard many good things about the Enviornmental Studies LC lately if you are at all interested in that discipline. Although I have not participated in one, several of my classmates had and 100% of them had a positive experience. The best parts of it seem to be that you are surrounded by roommates/friend/fellow students that are taking at least one of the same courses that you are, which helps by providing built in study groups in the dorms (very convenient), good peer pressure to go to class prepared and on time (since everyone else is going), and there are special events and lectures that are available to students in LCs. I have also heard that its gives you a distinct advantage in building a relationship with your professor. Here is a link for the description of the different LCs: [Rhodes College | Learning Community Descriptions](http://www.rhodes.edu/admissions/12669.asp).
I honestly haven’t heard of any cons for LCs yet–my only guess would be that you would have a quieter dorm/floor (which is honestly a very nice thing most of the time–its better to “go out” to another dorm, downtown, etc, than to have the party right outside your door while you are trying to sleep/study). There is currently no LC for Econ. but the selections change every year. I would definitely recommend that you try out the Search or Life LC if nothing else–I think it would be incredibly helpful.

As an internation student, I think it would be beneficial to be part of an LC because it provides a built in support network of friends who share similar interests (or at least courses!) with you. Rhodes students are generally very friendly and I don’t think you NEED a LC experience to do well here, but I think it would really enhance your first year experience.

Hope that this answers your questions–if not feel free to message me back and let me know what you decide on–so excited for you about Rhodes! I wish I could go back and do it all over again from freshman year onward–it is such a fun time! Here is a link to the Rhodes site about LCs: [Rhodes College | Learning Communities](http://www.rhodes.edu/admissions/12294.asp)

Best wishes!
KO