About Grinnell College
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college located in Grinnell, Iowa. Here are some key facts about the university:
- Founded in 1846 by a group of Congregationalist ministers and their families, Grinnell College is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the country.
- The college has a student body of approximately 1,700 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1. This makes for small class sizes and personalized attention from professors.
- Grinnell is known for its rigorous academic programs and intellectual curiosity. The college offers more than 500 courses across 26 departments, with majors ranging from classics to computer science.
- Grinnell places a strong emphasis on community service and social responsibility. The college was the first in the nation to create a mandatory community service program, which is still in place today.
Grading and GPA System
At Grinnell College, students are evaluated using a traditional letter-grading system. Here are the letter grades and their corresponding grade point values:
- A: 4.0
- A-: 3.7
- B+: 3.3
- B: 3.0
- B-: 2.7
- C+: 2.3
- C: 2.0
- C-: 1.7
- D+: 1.3
- D: 1.0
- F: 0.0
The college also offers a Pass/Fail option for students who wish to take a course outside of their major or explore a new area of interest without the pressure of a letter grade.
In addition to letter grades, Grinnell College calculates a grade point average (GPA) for each student. The GPA is a weighted average of a student's letter grades, with credits earned and the corresponding grade point values factored in.
Conclusion
Grinnell College is a small, selective liberal arts college with a reputation for academic excellence and social responsibility. With a small student body and personalized attention from faculty, students are encouraged to pursue their intellectual curiosity and engage in the community around them. The college's traditional grading system and GPA calculation ensures that students are evaluated fairly and accurately, while the Pass/Fail option allows for exploration and risk-taking without fear of academic consequences. If you're looking for a community-oriented and intellectually stimulating college experience, Grinnell College may be the place for you.