#gettingintocollege

  Where are you from and where do you go to school? -Miami, Florida and the wonderfully insane Grinnell College in lovely Grinnell, IA.

  What year are you and what is your area of study?

-Junior Year and Poli Sci (if you can call it that...I basically call it Poli Sci, while I concentrate on film and other stuff)

Have you transferred, if so how has that affected you?

-Nope, but thought about it a few times (to West Point or a state uni close to home)

Why did you choose your school? -Academics, they gave me full aid and they promised me basically that I would be totally fine being weird there. Y'know? The weird mecca. 

  How would you describe life at your school?

-Pretty up-and-down. It's like a drug. There are some amazing highs that I'm happy I got to experience and I knew I wouldn't experience it anywhere else. Then there are some terrible lows I wouldn't wish on anyone else. I guess I'd describe it as existence really. I get up, do my thing, get back to my dorm and do something. No real way to get around that.

What are the pros and cons of your school academically? -I actually have no cons other than it's crazy difficult. You will struggle. I came out of the worst district in the US. I got a bat to the knees when I went. The Pros though are just that. The school, academically, is amazing. I've learned so much in my time at Grinnell and got to see so much. The profs care about you and your well-being and have been my support network when times got tough. Offices are open, they give you a lot of feedback and you will learn. It's just fantastic.

What are the pros and cons of your school socially? -Socially, oh boy. Well, pros. Everything is free. EVERYTHING. Parties, movies, events, talks...I've never paid a dime. The staff is nice and the place is the type that if you fit a type, you'll fit in. The cons is if you don't have a type of person. It's awkward and well, the parties are pretty meh. It's a strange place and after a while, the same people over and over again gets exhausting. Then again, can't complain. The schools does well to always have things going on, and everything being free is just fantastic...so, honestly I don't have much of a social life, but I'm always having fun because we get really great movies and concerts (that are also FREE). It also helps that I love the town and all the tiny town things in it.

Do you think you’ll be able to find a job after you graduate? -Maybe, we'll see. My school is a weird one because it networks really well. It's one of those schools that people know because the overall people who come out of it is fantastic. So, we'll see, but I'm sure I can find something...might just join the Peace Corps.

Are you happy with your choice in school? -I may be a little cynical...and jaded...and cynical...and reallllly jaded, but I am very happy at the end of the day with my choice I guess. I may hate it at times and I'm very critical and realistic about the place, but that's because I know what the school can be and should be. I do out of love because I never want to sleep on it. I want the school to be great and being able to critique something honestly is a sign you care. So, yes, I'm happy. It's given me so much and I wouldn't change that (good or bad).

If you could do your college search over, what would you do? -Keep my options open I suppose? I don't think I could change much. I applied to 35 schools and lucked out of a few. That's how the cards fall, so I don't think I can change much.

What is one piece of advice you’d give somebody who is considering this school? -Be open and know what you want out of it. It's a school that isn't for everyone, but will help everyone. Just don't let the bad stuff get in the way. Iowa can be isolating and draining, but if you keep your head up, you'll do great. Just don't change yourself and be who you are there and you'll be fine.

Rate you school overall on a scale from  1 to 10, 10 being the best. -Like I said, no matter how much I whine and complain...I rate it a 10. It's my school and I'm protective of it. When shit hit the fan, people actually went to me and showed care and made me feel like a human being. It taught me everything and allowed me to explore my mind for free. That's a 10 in my book.

If there’s anything we didn’t ask, but you’d like to add, please do so: