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At Grinnell, students are free to take classes across the science, social studies, and humanities divisions, even if it's outside of their declared major: “I'm a computer science student but I also take a lot of art classes,” says Michael Chovanak ’22.

Many classes at Grinnell are discussion-based and can flex to include areas of student interests. With only 10 students in her program, Lex Baumann ’22 says “it was really interesting to watch each other grow in the courses that we took.”

At Grinnell, students can take advantage of talented faculty and top-notch facilities in the fine arts. “Grinnell wants to make sure that if you’re passionate about something, then you have the opportunity to engage in it,” says Spencer Clark ’23.

At Grinnell, your peers will be some of the best student scholars from around the world. But that doesn't mean that it’s cutthroat — Grinnell’s faculty are accessible and dedicated to teaching, and students here challenge each other and experience challenging situations together rather than apart.

“You really get a voice and get to know your professors,” Kayla Figatner ’22 says. The small classes allow faculty members to get to know you well and to understand your priorities and aspirations, and the policy of self-governance means students play a role at almost every level.

Ki Harris ’14, who is now executive director of the Freedom Network Project, says that the powerful academic and social experiences he had at Grinnell gave him skills to work for a better world. “It’s a small school. We have a really close-knit community. But it has a huge footprint and ripple effect,” says Sarah Burnell ’14.

“You change as a person. Grinnell allows you to blossom into that leader, into that change agent that you’ve always wanted to become but maybe didn’t know that you were capable of being,” says Loyal Terry ’23. You’ll want to stay open to new ideas and new interests as you discover more about yourself.

Not sure which career is right for you? No need to choose just one in your first two years of college — you can try out more than one option as you learn more about career options through hands-on experiences. Along the way, your Careers, Life, and Service advisor will help you discover how your interests and passions converge and connect.

"At the CLS (Center for Careers, Life, and Service), we have career communities, and they cover a wide range of topics from pre-med to pre-law to business & finance to education,” Tom Henehan ’21 says. Your advisor at Grinnell’s Center for Careers, Life, and Service can help you land the perfect internship or work experience, giving you access to exciting internships and other opportunities that align with your career goals.

Grinnell College is nestled in the middle of a unique small town by the same name that offers a wealth of options worth discovering. An old-school movie theatre, cafes and restaurants, coffee shops and music venues — Grinnell the town offers something for everyone.

Nick El Hajj ’24 didn’t want to get lost in the crowd at college. Through participation in Grinnell’s many student clubs and activities, he has been able to voice his opinions and work for change with thoughtful, active people. “You’re really a part of that community — you’re really at home,” El Hajj says.

Using the flexibility of Grinnell’s curriculum, Bethany Willig ’22 was able to make research opportunities at Grinnell work for their interests. Inspired by the support they've gotten from their professors, Willig dreams of becoming a professor and making an impact on the world. “I’ve been really thankful for those connections I’ve made.”

“As long as you stay open to new ideas and new perspectives, you will find your sense of belonging at Grinnell.” Jordon Maurice Ryan ’24 found his place and his sense of belonging on the men’s basketball team, as well as in Men of Color, a Black men’s student group at Grinnell. “It’s truly a brotherhood. We’re really connected.”

Grinnell is a small residential liberal arts college, which means most students live on campus in a tight-knit, supportive community. Many students live in Grinnell’s residence halls, each of which has a unique character and different room configurations to choose from, and other students choose to live in project houses that bring together people with a shared interest, such as a language or hobby.

You might think there’s not much happening at a small college in a small town in the middle of Iowa. Look closer — that couldn’t be further from the truth. Student creativity drives much of the activity on campus, including concerts, lecture series, locally directed film festivals, and a club for every interest. You can even create your own club if it doesn’t already exist.

Grinnell offers help and support for you as you think about your interests and which off-campus study opportunities appeal to you the most. You might choose to spend a semester at another college or university, or you can enroll in a thematic program that reflects your passions. Whether it’s a semester at sea or an internship in London, Grinnell provides the resources and support to make it happen.

Grinnell’s Institute for Global Engagement will help you connect your interests to rich, relevant study abroad and global learning opportunities. This kind of engagement is at the heart of a liberal arts education — you’ll gain hands-on experience and learn how to apply it in ways that are meaningful to you and to the world you inhabit.

International students who come to Grinnell encounter a broader, richer liberal arts curriculum that allows them to pursue many interests while still completing a major in an area of specialization. Students can find out more about themselves and their passions in life, while also learning to ask questions and think analytically about the answers — in short, to become a student of the liberal arts.

Grinnell makes it possible for you to combine the cultural growth that comes through travel with meaningful educational experiences and even hands-on internships to help prepare you for a future career. You can shape your off-campus study to fit your needs, whether it’s a semester, a summer, or part of a class — the world is your classroom.

Grinnell coaches are also faculty members. They understand how athletics can balance mind and body to help you stay grounded. Grinnell offers a community where athletes of all skill levels — even if your focus is recreation or wellness — can find their place.

Daniel Snyder ’22 says he might start out the day working on a project for a class; later, when it’s time for cross country practice, he can focus on being an athlete. “Being able to do so many different things in one day is great,” he says. At Grinnell, you can explore all aspects of yourself — student, athlete, activist, social butterfly — you name it, and you can do it.

If you aren’t recruited for a varsity team, other recreational options are available, including club sports and student-run sports/games organizations. And everyone at Grinnell — even if you’re not a member of any team — can use the College’s top-notch athletic facilities.

If you are recruited to be a varsity student-athlete for one of Grinnell’s 20 NCAA DIII programs, you’ll be part of a community that’s all about teamwork, shared experiences, and love of sport.

Finding time for what makes your soul happy is a vital part of the Grinnell experience. Whatever wellness means for you — whether it’s a bike ride, photography, rock climbing, swing dance, or something else — you can explore it here.