College Search
Dismiss notification

Kenyon College Gambier, OH

Kenyon College
3.1364, ThreePointFive 3.1 Average Rating

Interested in this school?

Please type at least the first 4 letters of the school name.

Kenyon College Reviews
Colleges › By State › Ohio › Kenyon College › Kenyon College Reviews

Check out reviews left by other students or leave your own review. You could win a free scholarship.

Add your Review

  • Reviewer is A past student here.

    1 of 8

    Categories Comments
    Campus Safety

    Campus safety will end parties. However, that has not stopped people in the past from being assaulted.
    Greek Life

    Kenyon has had major problems in the past with hazing for sororities and fraternities. One fraternity a few years ago got in trouble for making pledges walk on glass and another for psychologically torturing pledges. In the sororities, they mostly make you drink and get high all the time.
    Bang for the buck

    Kenyon is not worth its $70,000 price tag. There currently is no library, most dorms are in poor condition, and they are stingy with financial aid. The school is in debt and needs your money. Most of your money will go to funding the education of students who do not deserve to be there.
    What to do for fun

    There is not a whole lot to do besides some on-campus activities, but what most students end up doing is partying, and if that is not your scene, good luck finding something to do.
    Food and Dining

    Pierce has some okay food, but it is consistently packed and most parts of it are closed for meetings making it impossible to find seating. If you sit down with strangers, do not expect them to talk to you. If you're lucky you might exchange awkward glances and they will continue talking to the person next to them.
    Dorm Life

    The communities are okay within the dorm, but the dorms themselves are old and most residents do not clean after themselves. In my dorm, a girl poured melted ice cream down the sink drain and did not wash the sink. A few days later, a bunch of flies hatched in the sink and we had an infestation for MONTHS. On the floor below, the girl's bathroom consistently had blood all over the seats that would never be cleaned. The maintenance staff left us rude notes for leaving stuff out calling us lazy and entitled.
    Academic Rigor

    The classes are challenging, but do not foster a love of learning. In most of the english and art classes, we would discuss why a piece offended us instead of discussing it's importance. The school also has temporary professorship positions that only last a few years. This program attracts a lot of PhDs who are in between jobs and only care for their research.
    Tips for prospective students

    If you have any opposing political views/lifestyle choices, do not expect to feel accepted. Also, if you are a white, straight, able, male good luck contributing to any discussion.
    In three sentences

    Kenyon is a democratic indoctrination camp filled with professors who hate young people. I was told on two separate occasions during office hours that the people who go here are lazy and entitled, which is misrepresentational. The students here are accepting to a point. However, if you differ too much, good luck making friends.

  • Reviewer is A current student here.

    1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 2 of 8

    Categories Comments
    Bang for the buck

    Kenyon is honestly really expensive, and we don't even have a library anymore.
    Food and Dining

    Peirce is okay as long as you don't have any food allergies, but has weird hours and isn't available at night.
    Dorm Life

    It depends on which dorm you have, but it's difficult if you don't have a kitchen in your dorm, and some of the freshmen dorms are loud.
    Academic Rigor

    The classes are a lot like AP and dual enrollment classes, so if you take those in high school, it's likely that you'll be prepared with a study schedule. A lot of the courses have a lot of reading involved, so be ready for that.
    Tips for prospective students

    Be ready to figure out how to balance your work with everything you want to do on campus. You can check the menu at Peirce online, which can be helpful if you have food allergies or like to plan out your meals.
    In three sentences

    I recommend bringing your car to campus if you plan to make frequent trips to Walmart or Kroger, as the KAT is sometimes unreliable. There are a lot of clubs to join and volunteer opportunities, and the club fair at the beginning of the year makes it easy to sign up. There are also plenty of events throughout the year sponsored by the school and/or student organizations to keep you busy.

  • Reviewer is A current student here. Reviewer has not been to campus.

    3 out of 5 people found this review useful. 3 of 8

    Categories Comments
    Bang for the buck

    My brother attends a less expensive school where the student activities and amenities are much better. He has free laundry in the dorm, kitchens in every dorm, food services open late at night, great dorm lounges and lots more university planned student activities. I have to pay for laundry which is not in the same building, I had to wash my dishes in the bathroom sink because there's not even a sink or microwave in the building , the dorm lounges are terrible and no one hangs out there so it's very isolating, the one place to get food on campus closes early and we are in the middle of nowhere and our library is even awful.
    In three sentences

    As a female student I do not feel safe from rape on the campus with the current administration. The latest case is detailed here and the comments that's follow show a long history of the school turning a blind eye and the community victimizing the victims. https://mjakobhayes.wordpress.com/2016/04/25/to-kenyon-college-for-failing-my-little-sister/

  • Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

    0 out of 1 people found this review useful. 4 of 8

    Categories Comments
    Food and Dining

    i liked the dining hall!
    Dorm Life

    the dorms are very nice!
    Tips for prospective students

    apply!
    In three sentences

    their application process was free and effortless! i haven't even graduated from high school yet, but they've been so wonderful to me already. they've sent me free gifts and a handwritten card welcoming me to the school!

  • Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    5 of 8

    Categories Comments
    Food and Dining

    All you can eat! Can't beat that!
    Dorm Life

    Yep they have them!
    Academic Rigor

    From what I can tell, it's tough, but imagine the benefits when finishing there.
    Tips for prospective students

    You have to go to see how serene it really is.
    In three sentences

    Kenyon is a very peaceful, quiet campus. I think Fall is by far the best season at Kenyon. So bright and colorful!

  • Reviewer is A current student here.

    11 out of 11 people found this review useful. 6 of 8

    Categories Comments
    Campus Safety

    It's a small town and EXTREMELY SAFE.
    Greek Life

    Present and fun! Greek Life here is not overwhelming, about 30% of the campus is involved.
    Clubs and Activities

    Wide range from charity organisations, outdoors clubs, greek life, varsity and club sports, academic clubs etc.
    Great for these types of students

    -Motivated -Diversity of Interests -Hardworking -Interest in Academics -Openminded -Interested in having a GREAT college experience.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    FIRST-YEAR SING It sounds hokey, but it's a great bonding experience. It's also an initiation into Kenyon vocabulary, where you discover words like Kokosing and asphodel. Read the lyrics to Kenyon's songs here. OPENING CONVOCATION This is your first official march down Middle Path, between rows of gown-clad professors. Four years later, you do it again at Commencement. THE MATRICULATION BOOK Future president Rutherford B. Hayes signed it. So did future novelist E.L. Doctorow and future film star Paul Newman. Every October, after the Founders' Day Convocation, the newly settled first-years page through this remarkable book, then add their own names. HONORS DAY In April, the whole Kenyon community gathers to celebrate academic achievement, community service, and leadership, with the awarding of departmental and College-wide prizes. A time to cheer for hard work and good works. FRIDAY CAFE Every week closes with this lunchtime gathering, open to all. Ingredients: friendly conversation, a mingling of faculty, students, and village residents, a gourmet entree, an exquisite dessert. SENIOR SOIREE A long-standing celebration of what has been and what is to come. Each year, the members of the Senior Class invite the faculty and administrators who have been such an important part of their time at Kenyon to a semi-formal reception marking 100 days until Commencement. Typically falling on the second Friday in February, the Soiree is a bright spot on the calendar during a dreary time of the year and the first of many celebrations for the Senior Class. SENIOR SING You haven't graduated until you've sung the songs again. Yes, the same ones you sang as a first-year student, four short years ago. Warning: Your parents will cry. You might, too.
    Bang for the buck

    I think that Kenyon College is definitely worth it! I've had a fantastic experience here, and really recommend it.
    What to do for fun

    There are lots of things to do for fun! On a normal weekend there are accapella concerts, lots of parties, movies, talks, concerts etc. Also right outside is the Brown Environmental Center which has many hiking trails and a river (the Kokosing)
    Food and Dining

    Peirce Hall is the only dining hall on campus, they place heavy importance on the use of local produce. They do a good job, and cater to a wide variety of palates and dietary needs. Kenyon also doesn't have a meal plan which means that everything is buffet style!
    Dorm Life

    The dorm buildings for freshman are not nearly as incredible as those for upperclassmen, but the dorms are comfortable and large all the same. Many of the upperclass housing are in old, beautiful historical buildings!
    Academic Rigor

    Kenyon is very much a work-hard-play-hard environment. Students buckle down during the week and work hard, then on weekends relax. It's academically rigorous, but allows enough time for other aspects of student life!
    Tips for prospective students

    Know the Location: Visit campus, it was rated one of America's most beautiful colleges. It's an incredible place. Take a campus tour, get a feel for Kenyon's vibe and see if it's right for you. Talk to current students and faculty - go sit in on a class, talk to the professors and students about your interests and what they like and dislike about the school.
    In three sentences

    Kenyon College is a phenomenal leading liberal arts college renowned for its tradition of literary study, but also known for it's strength in the humanities and sciences. It is located in a small village in rural Ohio, Gambier. It's a small school which allows for personalized teaching and a strong sense of community.

  • Reviewer is A past student here.

    24 out of 24 people found this review useful. 7 of 8

    Categories Comments
    Campus Safety

    You'll love these guys. Really. They take good care of you.
    Clubs and Activities

    Favorite club was the Ballroom Dance Club. One of my Best decisions at Kenyon. Also, the Christian organizations recently merged into one super group known as BE: Very friendly people and the campus ministers are great.
    Bang for the buck

    You can take as many classes as you want and do as many things as you want to do. You get out what you put into it.
    What to do for fun

    Join clubs and organizations, hang out, go to acapella concerts, theater productions, guest lectures, and sports games. Their are many events and parties planned throughout the year as well.
    Food and Dining

    I liked the food a lot. However, I am not a picky eater. The dining hall focuses on local foods and the holiday set ups melt your heart. They are also starting to get more food options after midnight. Not many places are open after midnight.
    Dorm Life

    Not the best dorms. The majority of them are small, but I think they are comfortable.
    Academic Rigor

    The classes presented a challenge to me, but I thoroughly enjoyed them. They do not just give you knowledge, rather they teach you how to think.
    Tips for prospective students

    Applying early decision is a great idea. Do not be intimidated by the course material and don't be afraid to go to the professor's office hours. The professor's are really friendly and willing to help.
    In three sentences

    The college creates a community atmosphere that is inviting to everyone. The courses are tough, but you do not take them alone and there is no sense of competition between students. Also, one of the most beautiful campuses in world.

  • Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

    25 out of 25 people found this review useful. 8 of 8

    Categories Comments
    Great for these types of students

    Hardworking and quirky artistic students will enjoy this school. There is a large nature preserve on the campus and a beautiful athletic center. I believe that all types of studious individuals will appreciate what Kenyon has to offer.
    Tips for prospective students

    Keep your ACT scores high. Take as many AP classes as your school offers. If you do take classes at a community college to earn credit, they will not transfer. I made this mistake and wasted two years on college classes only to have them not transfer. This school is small and rural but busy and full of community. Be prepared to be away from the big city life.
    Bang for the buck

    This school is on the high end, but it is well worth it. The financial aid office gives incredible grants and scholarships to many of their students. Don't knock off a more expensive school until you see what money they are willing to give you. They may give you more than the state schools.
    Will enjoy being here

    When I stepped on the campus I fell in love. It seems as if you're stepping into a completely different world. The people were helpful and the atmosphere was overwhelmingly pleasant. There are plenty of clubs, events, and musical concerts that come through every weekend.
    Will learn a lot

    It has one of the top programs in English in the country. Kenyon is truly a prestigious liberal arts college.