Student Profile
Topher
- Class: Sophomore
- Major: Spanish
- Gender: M
- High School: Del Valle
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
I love the open-curriculum and self governance. Basically Grinnell's gives you responsibility over yourself and your actions in the classroom and outside. Also, there are no RA's here or tough-ass security guards. What I'm trying to say is that no one has an eye on you simply stalking you and waiting for the minute you screw up. If you get into trouble on this campus it is because you were a dumbass and went searching for it. For example, you get in trouble for underage drinking. Yet, no one knew you were underage and consuming alcoholic beverages, instead you were being a dumbass and either drank too much and threw up everywhere, caused a scene so security came, or you got alcohol poisoning. If you notice, all of these consequences could've been avoided if you would've just had some responsibility. Hence, self-governance is badass.
Academic Life
I enjoy the fact that the largest class I have ever been in had about 31 students. I love it that I feel comfortable enough to ask a question in class because its such a small class. Unlike, take for instance USC which I visited, there was 157 students in an auditorium, I don't know about you but I would feel very uncomfortable asking a question and interrupting the Professors lecture in front of 156 students. Students here are not competitive with each other. We do not care what you got on your SAT, or who has the highest GPA in our class. Sure we all strive to excel, but we're not sabotaging each other or not helping each other just to get a higher grade than our peer. This is not a party school! You will most likely, actually probably never, find a party occurring every day of the week. Sure people like to have fun and party, but 98% of the student body likes to limit that to solely Friday and Saturday because you will probably find yourself doing school work 6 or 7 days a week. Sure you can have one full slack off day, maybe even two, but why not just do something light like a 20pg reading or something to that nature.
Student Body
I'm hispanic, sometimes I do get homesick because Grinnell is predominantly white. However, a word of advice to all the minorities who read this or even anyone not from the midwest, tell yourself, "I'm studying abroad at Grinnell!" Because basically we are. I'm from Texas, and my family or me cannot afford multiple trips home throughout the semester. I got one roundtrip ticket, the beginning of school and the day after finals. So really, I'm stuck here whether I like it or not. Although, I must say Grinnellians are very friendly! Staff, Professors, students, everyone, all friendly. Ok, maybe 90% of everyone involved with the school.
The Best Things
The world comes to Grinnell. You will meet people of all backgrounds here.
The Worst Things
the weather
