Grinnell College

Overall ExperienceWhat's This?

A vast majority of students loves Grinnell. They love the challenge they get from their academics and their peers, and they love the amount of freedom that the administration gives them (mostly through self-governance). Some students would say that they learn more from discussions amongst peers than classes. Grinnell students are free to learn and grow into responsible, conscientious adults, and the students are thankful that the school they’ve chosen gives them the opportunity to thrive. Some students can’t even imagine what it would be like if they’d ended up somewhere else.

Yeah, Grinnell students complain sometimes about the things that aren’t available to them that would be at their disposal at a larger, city school. They gripe about excess construction, bogus administration policies, and the things that fellow Grinnellians do that just plain bug everyone. Overall, though, most of the students are happy with the decisions they’ve made and the direction they’re going in their lives. A lot of students have the Grinnell faculty, students, and townspeople to thank for that. Although living in rural Iowa does take some getting used to (especially if you’re from out of state), most students don’t mind making Grinnell their home for four years. Despite the schizophrenic weather, lackluster athletic program, and the immature townies, many students have taken comfort in the fact that it’s “just us” amongst the cornstalks. When a Grinnell graduate thinks back upon his or her Grinnell experience and all the fond memories that come along with it, everything else seems like small potatoes.

Grinnell Student Reviews