Student Profile
Kayanna
- Class: Freshman
- Major: English
- Gender: F
- High School: Ansonia High School
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
Personally, I find the size of the school quite acceptable. My high school was small, and I could never get used to walking around campus and not recognizing anyone. When I walk to dinner, the library, or to class, I always see people I know. It makes you feel much safer than if you walk around and don't see anyone you've met before. I know everyone on campus either first-hand or second-hand. You could pick anyone at Denison, ask me if I knew them, and if I didn't, one of my friends would. When I tell people at home that I go to Denison University, if they are not major upper class, they don't know what I'm talking about because I grew up in an extremely rural area where kids grow up to be farmers and if they go to college, it'll be a state school. However, if I tell someone who knows about Denison that I'm a student there, their reaction is always "Denison? That's such a nice place to go. Very prestigious." If they don't say it out loud, the way they act says it for them. Personally, I find this reaction irritating because even though it's a nice school, it's just a school and it says nothing about me personally. All of the stereotypes (everyone's rich or extremely smart) do not really apply to me. I'm just a normal kid, and I happened to end up at Denison because of the English program. That's enough for me. Granville is actually rather quaint. The people go out of their way to make their yards look gorgeous. Even though there are no real food options in town, and shopping at a department store or mall are out (unless you drive fifteen minutes to Newark or Heath...and Easton is in Columbus only half an hour away), it's BEAUTIFUL. People are really nice, and when you walk into town, they're willing to say hello as they pass you on the sidewalk. Some people find it small, but I find it relaxing, peaceful. In November, there was a school meeting (for some reason I can't remember the proper word) discussing prejudice on campus. There were people who felt as if they were being put down because of race or gender or sexual preference. Acceptance is really important on campus, and if you are prejudice, I suggest you either don't go to Denison or you learn to keep your mouth shut. Some things are over the top, it's true...the way people respond to things as simple as "Your parents won't let you have a car? That's gay!" makes you very cautious. If you were to say that in the wrong company, you'd get several dirty looks, I promise.
Academic Life
I've never been in a class with more than thirty students, and because of this, all of my professors have known my name and most have known my opinions. I've been invited (with my class) to a professor's house for dinner, and I've made quite a few friends in my classes. When you leave a classroom, you know a lot about your professors and your fellow students, and they help you get to know yourself. This is very important to me. When a professor understands where you're coming from, it's easier for them to relate to you and vice versa. For instance, I told you I grew up in a rural area. Two of the eight professors I had my freshman year did as well, so they knew how being on a campus like Denison's affected me. Professors are emotionally attached to their students as well. I know of more than one case where a classmate has played in a concert or acted in a play and they invited a professor to come see them (and the professors attend if they can). Professors at Denison are your friends, not some enigma you never get close to. Denison has a lot of GE requirements that other schools do not. (Science requirements for English majors or a Black/Women's/International studies course for everyone). That is because Denison is a liberal arts college. They teach you to learn, they don't just teach you information. Many students get jobs after college, and they get far, but Denison is made for learning, not for getting the job. The job is just a bonus after having spent time at Denison. It is a difficult school and studying is necessary; don't come to Denison with the idea that it's going to be cake and you're not going to have to try. You'll find out the hard way that this is not true at all, and you'll spend countless evening studying.
Student Body
When you go to class, you'll find everything from pajamas to dress clothes (especially in your 8:30 AM classes). No one really reacts to either one as unusual, that's just how campus is. Since you live on campus all four years, you'll spend a lot of time with all ages of students (17-23 or older, and the occasional young-young student of like 13). You'll make friends of all ages, and no one will be shocked to find a freshman and senior hanging out on a Friday night. And Denison students come from all over the place (USA, Australia, Egypt, Bangladesh, India, Korea, Japan, China, Russia, Africa, Pakistan, etc etc etc); you'll get a chance to learn about many other cultures. I loved that aspect of it.
