Grinnell College Reviews

"Grinnell College was an excellent school. I learned how to think critically and it enriched my experience of the world on many levels. It opened up a whole new world for me and my life likely would have been much smaller and less interesting if I had not attended Grinnell College. However, it did not in any way prepare me for the workforce. Its career preparation and placement services are incredibly limited. I've struggled since then to find a career pathway and have only recently figured out how to launch a sustaining career."

"I absolutely loved my time at Grinnell College so much that I recommended my sister apply. She also graduated from the college in 2013. Grinnell opened a door for me to network and develop my career path and now I am pursuing a graduate degree in social work at the University of Louisville. Grinnell is an academically rigorous institution that prepared me for my graduate level classes."

"Grinnell College is an oasis in Iowa that manages to bring people from all over the world together to brave the harsh winters of Iowa and experience the purest joy upon the coming of Iowa spring. While they were some of the hardest four years of my life because of the academic rigor and learning how deep the roots of our systems of injustice travel, those four years have shaped the way I see and interact with the world around me in a way that I am proud of. I question systems in place, listen to and value the stories of those around me, and work for a future that is emotionally intelligent. For those who want to make change the Ella Baker way, from the roots, Grinnell College is an ideal place to begin learning the systems and behaviors that keep our world oppressed. Students want to learn and every single person on campus has cultivated interests that are unique and bring things like Zimbabwean instrumentals, Bollywood film courses, and bi-annual Drag Shows to this little town in Iowa. In the face of learning about deep injustice, the creativity and curiosity that flows throughout this campus is truly remarkable. From spaces like the Faulconer Gallery to the surrounding prairie, there are so many places to nurture a sense of wonder. That being said, I will say to all those who are going you must prioritize self-care and discover what it looks like for you. One of the most valuable lessons I have solidified for myself are the boundaries I need to set in my social relationships and academic workload. It's in the face of real stress that people often show just how resilient they are. Grinnell catalyzes the need for resilience and because of that challenge I feel like my peers and I are prepared for the hardships coming our way and uplifting the creative no matter what. I have a global network of people who are all working to change and create a future we all believe in thanks to Grinnell College."

"Honestly, the best part of my time at Grinnell was the other students. The courses were usually very informative and well-run, but the workload did become overwhelming at times, especially if you're working. I did graduate in 2004, so this is probably pretty outdated."

"Grinnell College advertises itself as a premier liberal arts college; a place of free thought and high minded ideals where the students learn to take responsibility for themselves and the world. The students embrace these ideals, but then use social justice as an excuse to look down on those who do not share their worldview and self-governance as an excuse to behave irresponsibly in an environment which lacks real-world consequences."

"It's a wonderful place to go to school. A true progressive liberal arts college that will change you for the rest of your life."

"My college was definitely a unique place to attend - small, private, liberal arts college in the middle of Iowa. Hyper-liberal in both politics and social policies (not for anyone conservative in either respect - frustrating as a student who abhors drugs and loud drunkenness), but generally great professors who care a lot for their students and their subjects. Definitely not for anyone who is interested in professional studies, however; "college for careers" mentality is actively looked down upon."