Colleges Grinnell College

Grinnell College www.grinnell.edu

Grinnell College is a private institution that was founded in 1846. Its setting is rural, and the campus size is 120 acres. It’s located in the small town of Grinnell, Iowa, halfway between Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. Despite its somewhat remote location, this “Little School on the Prairie” has a lot to offer. From the G-Tones a cappella group for music lovers to the environmental group Free the Plant for tree huggers, Grinnell’s 100-plus student organizations appeal to a variety of interests. Grinnell’s busy social scene includes an array of cultural activities and concerts occurring weekly on campus, from big-name acts to small student groups. A well-known, annual event is the Titular Head Film Festival, which showcases student films. Nearly 60 percent of students participate in study abroad programs while at Grinnell.

Academics

Students are in charge of their studies and career they’ll pursue. Grinnell’s curriculum is an “individually advised curriculum.” There are no distribution requirements, and the only two required courses for all students are components of the First-Year Experience. The rest of the four-year class schedule is up to them and their academic adviser to craft based on their interests and aspirations. Students discover and explore what they truly care about. They’ll be in charge of how their major and studies take shape and the professional journey they’ll begin. The student-faculty ratio at Grinnell College is 9:1, and the school has 65% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. Popular majors include Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, and Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services.

Special Highlights

Distinctly Grinnellian. We have a long history of students who show up and stand out, and it’s what makes Grinnell a special place. We honor favorite traditions and create new ones. Student-led events are some of the most anticipated mainstays of the Grinnell calendar, and every year brings a new set of students to put their stamp on these customs and pass them on to the next generation of Grinnellians. Titular Head is a film festival composed completely of student submissions; Grinnell Relays is where teams take to Mac Field to compete in a series of relay-based games; Every spring, Grinnellians attend the Harris Center for Cultural Evening, a series of performances organized by the International Students Organization.

Wilson Center for Innovation & Leadership. The Wilson Center organizes and sponsors a variety of marquee programs intended to inspire students and develop their knowledge and skills in leadership and innovation. Many of these programs have been started and led by students, serving as a means to practice and refine innovation and leadership skills. Wilson seeks to encourage innovation and leadership in a broad range of contexts by organizing programs that include a community-collaborative social entrepreneurship program, our own TEDx event, a speaker series, leadership workshops, and innovation and pitch competitions.

School Mission & Unique Qualities

Grinnell College’s mission is to provide “an education in the liberal arts through free inquiry and the open exchange of ideas.” Free inquiry and open exchange require exposure to a diversity of perspectives and respectful engagement with those perspectives across our differences. Grinnell is a private, co-ed, residential liberal arts and sciences college committed to contributing to the common good, and is consistently ranked among the nation’s best liberal arts colleges. We provide individually advised learning for the intellectually motivated. Grinnell is a place where freedom and academic rigor coexist and complement each other. Social responsibility, cultural awareness, and mutual respect are big for us. As thoughtful citizens, we take ownership of the well-being of our community. We call ourselves Grinnellians.

Student Reviews…

“If you’re looking for a rigorous, expansive undergraduate experience, I strongly recommend Grinnell. The rural location and smaller size facilitates a tight-knit community, as do the student government and extracurricular opportunities. I love the open curriculum and research opportunities.”