Reviews

Denison University has amazing and engaging professors, who genuinely care about your intellectual, moral, and social development. Moreover, the learning environment is friendly and encouraging to students of all backgrounds, while challenging everyone to become their best!

Denison University is by no means a party school, but that doesn't mean you can't have a great time their, especially in alcohol-free activities. Denison has extremely active student organization that bring impressive speakers, musician, and authors to campus. For instance, Rebecca Skloot, a New York Times best-selling author was recently on campus giving a presentation, which was extremely well attended! There is also a strong sense of community, which helps students get comfortable with college life quickly and everyone truly cares about each other. Last week, I left my thumb drive in the computer lab and a senior found it and returned it to me! I was so grateful, but events lik these are everyday occurrences at Denison.

Denison is expensive as any other prestigious liberal arts school; however, it is generous with merit scholarships and a degree from Denison pays dividends! A Denison education is enlightening, making students into autonomous thinkers and productive members of society.

Work hard in high school to get great grades, perform well on standardized tests, participate in extracurricular activities, and show Denison that you want to be a productive and active student on their campus (possibly the most important criterion). Denison wants to see interest from their prospective students so make friends with the admissions officers, meet students, and make numerous visits or stay for an overnight.

Denison is great for students who love doing a little bit of everything and enjoy all fields of academics. Denison is a true liberal arts school so students should expect to explore all academic fields. Denison is great for those who wish to take a variety of classes. Moreover, Denison is an active campus, its is great for students who love being in student organizations and making a difference on campus and in the world.

A well known liberal arts school in the Ohio area with exceptional professors, unlimited opportunities, and a real community. Surely this college is not for everyone. However, if you are looking for a school where people personally care for your success, and you want to do more than just major- then this is the school for you.

1. VISIT!!- you won't do well if you pick ANY school just by looking at the brochures.
2. If given the opportunity, attend a couple classes.
3. Talk to current students and professors. I promise you they won't sugarcoat it. They will tell you exactly if you would be the type of person that will be successful or not.
4. DO YOUR RESEARCH. Does Denison have everything you want in a campus? A community town. Check. Caring Professors. Check. A nearby city. Check. A million clubs to choose from. CHECK! (:
5. find out about scholarships! Denison is one of the most generous when it comes to aid. Check that for all schools.

This school is great in my (biased) opinion. However, I can be 100% honest with you when I say they CARE about your education and making the most out of your 4 years here. Remember how you thought you don't have parents on campus? Not here at Denison! These professors will give you tough love and parent you when need be as well as be your friend when need be.

The dorms differ for everyone. Personally I really enjoy it!!! I picked my roommate randomly through my form and I am loving it. Also the best thing about it (not for everyone) is that you are required to live on campus all four years. I'm not kidding when I say we are a community. Same with Sorority and Fraternity houses- you don't live with them. But honestly, I see more Pros then Cons.

Alright. This school isn't perfect. But I gave it 3 stars based on only the dining hall food. Huffman has some good food!--Curtis not so much. But we have so much more to choose from then the dining halls. Slayer, the Nest, all those restaurants down in town, and the clubs give you some GOOD food. Going hungry will be the least of your worry, I promise.

I think it would be easier to say what I don't. This small campus does NOT lack in activities. Half of the time I have to choose what to do because there is always so much going on. I party once in a while, which could be pretty great. But if you're not into that- no worries!! you can still do a lot.

You are not just another college student here on campus. People care about who you are. Sure- not everything is perfect. But one you find your group..no doubt you have some great times. How many universities can say that the president of their school invites them to dinner!? Exactly. We love getting personal here (not meant to be creep) so no one is just another student

DONT STEP ON THE SEAL!!! We have a Denison seal right in the middle of campus, and legend has it--if you step on it, you don't graduate on time. Now, I don't know how real it is.. but i wouldn't risk it.

As mentioned before, this is a great school for people who want to be known on campus. Who like to have one on one conversations with their professors. And be known by name.

I honestly can't list everything we have, but we have A LOT. I can almost guarantee we have any club you want. And if not, its almost too easy to start one.

We have greek life. Some join, some don't. We party all the same-- its really your preference(:

They do just too much to ensure I'm safe. Just give security a call and they will give you a ride if you don't feel safe.. yea thats how awesome they are!! They only thing is the deer, yea they are cute but they can also be mean.. Just steer clear.

Denison University is an exceptional private liberal arts college in Granville, Ohio. Although the campus is small, the diversity of both students and academics makes the university a perfect match for students, who are looking to create an intellectual legacy as well as make a number of diverse friends and future professional contacts. With a high priority on academics as well as an equal commitment to providing hundreds of opportunities for campus involvement, Denison is truly a stand-out university.

Since my acceptance to the college, Denison has steadily increased its acceptance rate, with this last year (2012) representing the largest incoming class ever on campus. This is great news for prospective students, as Denison is providing more chances than ever at being accepted. Just be sure to keep up your grades. While Denison doesn't limit its incoming population to 4.0 students and national merit finalists, it does provide incredible merit based financial aid to those who qualify. Not a straight A student? No problem. Denison really takes each application into account to look for students, who represent a diversity of backgrounds and the potential to excel. Just note that once you come to Denison, you will be challenged academically, but if you were accepted to the university, that means you are one of the students who is likely to excel in such an environment.

While not every class is an ivy-league clone, many classes (particularly in the social sciences and languages) are very academically challenging. You move through the material very quickly and are expected to actively contribute in every class. The class sizes are very small (average 15 students, although this may change as Denison's population grows), and you are expected to do quite a bit of reading to prepare for each class. Also, no matter what your major, you will be expected to write papers. In my experience, my papers were anywhere from 5 to 25 pages in length, with my senior research landing around 50. Finally, exams are almost always cumulative. However, many classes provide the opportunity to gain a large portion of points throughout the semester (downside, this means a lot of homework), so you have a safety net of sorts when you get to the final.

I lived in several different types of housing in my four years at Denison, and I liked them all. My first year I was in a freshman only dorm (a practice at Denison), which was great because I got to know a lot of the members of my class. Sophomore and junior year I lived in a Victorian style house that was open to honors students (now summer research students) and only had 9 other people in my dorm. Finally, senior year I lived in an on-campus apartment with three other seniors. Overall housing is great. The housing lottery is a little bit of a nightmare (which is why I gave housing 4 instead 5 stars), although they are getting better.

Honesty was my priority filling this review out, so to keep up with the honest answers, I have to say dining is Denison's weakness. I'll still give it three stars because over my four years I saw improvement in the diversity (and quality) of food in the dining halls. Also, Denison has Slayter Union, which has several snack bars, a pizza hut, a deli, and a grill line if you don't feel like eating in the dining halls. Slayter even provides Meal Exchange, which allows you to eat a meal (sandwich or other dinner item, two sides, a large drink, and desert) for free (as part of the meal plan) every day.

For being a small campus, Denison has an unusual amount of clubs to join. If you have an odd interest, chances are Denison has a club for that. What is more, if you are interested in something that is not currently sponsored by the campus, it is relatively simple to get your group approved by DCGA, which can even provide you funding for events. Other than clubs, Denison also has a movie night tradition, where we screen recently released films out on the commons. If movies aren't your thing, there are also plenty of sport and music ensembles. Basically, you name it, we've got it.

Denison is expensive; there is no doubt about it. However, the quality of academics, diversity of faculty, opportunity for campus involvement, and post-Denison resources are well worth the cost. What is more, Denison provides great financial aid packages (both merit and need based). All that being said, it is definitely worth your money to double major at Denison. Many majors do not require as many classes for the major as others, and if you are already interested in diverse areas of study, double majoring is a great way to exchange the cost of Denison with a greater opportunity for a job in the future.

For unusual traditions: out of respect (and now superstition) no one on campus walks over the university seal in front of Swasey Chapel. Also, practically everyone on campus eats at Whit's - a frozen custard shop down in the nearby village of Granville (within walking distance).

As for unusual locations on campus: Denison is an old college (around since 1831) and has two cemeteries on campus grounds.

Denison is great for students who are looking for an academic challenge and access to a wide variety of academic and professional resources. Denison is also great for the go-getter student. If you like being involved and appreciate the balance of academics and extracurricular activities, Denison is definitely the place for you.

I mentioned this a little in the what to do for fun section, but Denison really is exceptional when it comes to the amount of clubs and activities you can participate in without even leaving campus. There really is something for everyone. If you like music, you can participate in a number of student lead ensembles; if you like recreational sports you can take your pick from activities as diverse as extreme Frisbee to quidditch. If you are a great communicator or love a particular style of music, you can host your own radio show for the campus radio station. If you're an academic all the way, you can participate in extracurricular studies - from tutoring your peers to events with honorary societies. If you are a giver, you can be part of any number of on campus organizations that work with charitable causes (e.g. Habitat for Humanity, DCA, etc.). If you are a problem solver and justice oriented individual, you can serve as a member of the student conduct board or academic integrity board. Finally, if you are a representative, you can run to be part of the campus student government, which is responsible for a wide variety of campus organizations. Most of the students I knew at Denison were a combination of these types. If you are a combination student too, then great. Your commitment to any one organization is defined solely by you and the time you have available to participate.

While Denison does have several sororities and fraternities, its Greek life isn't typical of most campuses. Sororities and fraternities are not housed separately on campus, although participation in each group is fairly standard (chapter once a week, dues, service projects, etc.).

Denison is a very safe campus. You can walk around at 2 in the morning and be as safe as 2 in the afternoon. Denison is monitored 24/7 by campus PD and has almost immediate access to Granville PD. That being said, as with any campus, Denison does have its (small) share of student code violations. However, these violations are handled swiftly, and students really try to look after one another.

Denison is excellent in regards to academics, and we are such a small school that professors are better able to slow down or speed up their classes depending upon how their students are doing. Also, if an individual student is struggling or has an interest in a specific or other related topic, most professors are more than willing to meet and help or discuss. That's one of the best parts of Denison. The professors love working here, and it shows. Thus, the students all benefit and come away with more than they might have at another school. One fault I can mention is that it is not as easy to learn practical life skills (street smarts) here as at many bigger schools. We are, for the most part, trained to operate in the impractical, scholarly realm. By no means is it impossible to learn street smarts here, just more difficult. One skill that I do believe we learn better more easily than students at many other schools is how to communicate clearly and effectively, because it is such a huge focus in all classes and extracurricular activities, both in written and spoken forms.

There comes a point in every college student's career where they hate where they are and what they do. It is natural. I have experienced it, and you will too no matter where you go. For me it happened during sophomore year, when I had a lot of emotional, family, health, and roommate issues. What I can say is that I do not know if I would have been able to get through that time in my life while studying at any other school or with any other professors. You will find that at Denison the professors you work with - or even just the professors in the department you primarily work in - actually care about you and what is going on in your life. They try to help you grow as a member of society, a student, and as a human being. This level of attention and care makes Denison truly different and worthwhile.

You may be thinking that it would be difficult for Denison to live up to its buck value, because that value is so high. Most students here, though, only pay about half of that amount. I personally am paying less than ten percent of their estimated cost. You can pay the same amount or less as you would for a state school, but have an amazing, in-depth, private liberal arts school education. Denison works very hard to not let costs prevent students from attending, or from studying abroad later in their college careers.

Talk to your current teachers and other older adults as much as possible about both intellectual and non-academic subjects, as that will help to prepare you for the relationships that you will indubitably have once you get here. Be as involved as possible at your current school in VARIOUS activities and with volunteer opportunities, because that also trains you for life on Denison's campus and will gain you scholarships if you really do a lot. Practice writing as much as possible.

Overall, Denison is all about diverse experiences, diverse people, and dialogue.

Anyone who has diverse interests. I am a Studio Art major soon to declare an Art History minor, but I have also done much study in various dance forms and in the Ancient Greek language while at Denison, as well as taken courses in communication, anatomy (we dissected cats and had the option to go on a field trip to see human cadavers), theatre, and other fields. Such experiences are the norm at Denison. Indeed, you cannot graduate without having taken a very wide range of classes.

Denison is particularly great for Studio Artists because you can earn a BFA here, which is the degree you would earn from an art school. Thus, you are basically at a mini (but mighty) art school with all the benefits of studying at a private liberal arts college.

Denison has a wide variety of students, being one of the most socioeconomically diverse schools in the country and has a growing population of international students. It is a welcoming and safe community that provides an strong foundation for every student to succeed. It's a place to explore your interests, find your passions and make lifelong friends!

If you feel like you're not as academically strong, definitely go out and join clubs, sports, community service (as early as you can!), as the school does consider your extracurriculars. Also, work hard on your application essays to really showcase who you are and why you feel like you belong at Denison, showing them that you will be an active participant of the community who has something to offer!
I have found that a lot of my friends came to visit and loved their stay there, so try and visit and get a feel of the school.

Denison is very academically rigorous, the teachers expect a lot from you, and know that you can handle their assignments. That being said, academic honesty is also taken very seriously so it is up to you to try your very best. So far, I have had great professors who are all very accessible and friendly and who care about how you are doing and know you by name! I think thats one of the best things about attending smaller schools, especially ones like Denison, because even though the work is difficult, you have your professors there to help if you are lost and make you want to do well.
Because class sizes are smaller, you are expected to contribute and be actively engaged. You will move through the material quickly and should keep up with the readings to get the most out of the class.

The dorms are all pretty nice, not too small but not particularly big - basically what you'd expect of a college dorm. The largest freshman dorm I've found is really friendly because everyone leaves their doors open (if you want) to interact and make new friends. They are clean, regularly maintained by a cleaning staff, and you have 2 RAs on each floor who are very active and maintain a welcoming and safe community.
Unfortunately, for some dorms, and my room especially, one side of the wall is thin so you can hear everything that goes on in the other room (this does NOT happen for every room/dorm!) If you have loud/sociable neighbours however, this can be a pain in the butt. Overall the dorms are pretty nice and homey!

The food and dining are possibly Denison's weaker suits, but there are plenty of options to choose from! There are two dining halls as well as a space called Slayter Union that has multiple snack/meal bars where you can order food for on the go, but there is also an area to sit and eat.
The dining services do try hard to provide healthy and a variety of options but it is usually a hit or a miss. They have a great dessert area however as well as lots of drink options and the dining staff are extremely nice!
If you feel like going out to eat, its an easy walk down to Granville, which has multiple restaurants that provide large meals for reasonable prices catered towards college students. The school also provides shuttles to the mall to go out and eat.

Denison, as many liberal arts and private schools, is extremely expensive. That being said, Denison is also extremely generous with their scholarship and financial aid. Most of my friends have received large scholarships that help significantly with tuition costs.
Denison really shapes you into becoming a productive member and autonomous thinker and challenges you to be the best version of yourself. You have a wide variety of classes to choose from, and the school is constantly hosting events, bringing in speakers and performers.

One of the biggest traditions or superstitions is that students cannot walk on the seal in front of Swasey Chapel, otherwise they will not graduate. Other than that, Denison is on a hill so the view is gorgeous and there's a lot of greenery and little places that you can find to sit and relax or study.

For anyone who is willing to challenge themselves to try lots of different things and in the process, discover themselves. The faculty, staff, and students are extremely nice and welcoming which makes for a great experience. If you are someone who wants to broaden their experience and perspective and want to meet lots of new, different and exciting people, definitely consider applying!

There are a variety of clubs on campus, fit to cater every students wants and needs. From multicultural, to the arts, community service, sports, and more, there's something for everyone.
There are also a lot of unofficial clubs and things to do - many students organize and host a variety of talks, showing how Denison encourages students to be proactive to make a difference. The school also brings in different speakers and performers, and hosts different events such as the Gala for fun, dancing, and good food.
If you want to get away for a little bit, there are shuttles to the mall, where you can shop and eat, you can also rent a car or have a friend drive you to Columbus which is only 30 minutes away, to get the city life or get to the airport.

The campus is very safe and the campus security is extremely accessible! Almost everyone I know has the campus security number on their phones. You can call them in case of emergencies or even if you were studying late at night at the library and don't want to make the trek back to your room at night - they'll come and pick you up! They are known to be slightly stricter on the party culture, mostly for the first years but everyone knows it is because they care for our safety.
I have had a campus security officer pick my friends and I off, dropped us off at our dorm and even gave us 2 boxes of pizza. Earlier, at finals week, they stood outside in the cold with posters, handing out snacks and cheering us on to give us the energy and motivation we need to finish our exams.
I can walk to different buildings, or back to my dorm at 3AM and still feel completely safe. The dorms can be accessed by your student ID card, but you can only open your own dorm after midnight.

Denison University is a community of its own on the hill. It values diversity and integrity. Denison is a great place to be.

If applying to Denison I suggest you visit the campus. It helped me decide because you don't get to experience the vibe unless you are there. The people here are just very nice and courteous it will surprise you. Also, keep up on your school work because we are a bit fast paced but it is manageable.

It is not so bad, but if a student who never took AP classes came into this environment it would be hard for them.

It depeneds which dorm you get assigned to. There is your typical party hall and your regular quiet houses but administration does a good job in putting you in the right hall.

The food is okay, On some days its really great & then it'll be okay again. It varies but there is always sandwiches and salad so it is not so bad if you do not like any of the other stations.

There are many clubs on campus that do a great job at planning different events for the weekend. There is always stuff going on. We get great speakers all the time and fun things to, like magicians and movies. There is really no dull moment.

An unusual tradition is stepping on the seal outside of the Swasey Chapel. It is said that if you step on it you will not graduate on time. Everyone avoids it.

There are sooooo many clubs. There is something for everyone!

I feel safe & they have emergency booth things all around campus just in case you need help.

Denison is a challenging school academically, but as far as campus goes, it is a wonderful place to attend college. Professors really do care about your academic standing and go out of their way to help you in any way possible. Being a residential campus, you make friends fast and become very close with those that live around you.

I would recommend that students be prepared to participate a lot in classes and let your opinions be heard. It is also important to be able to work well with other students.

While I felt I was prepared for college, even coming from a very rigorous high school, the work load at Denison is still definitely a wake up call.

While dorms that aren't designated as quiet dorms can get very loud, the dorms that are quiet or other special designations do comprise people that try to uphold the rules of their dorm at all times.

There is always a wide variety of food to choose from in case you don't like what is in the main line.

There is always something going on on campus and there are many groups and organizations to join to get involved. If there isn't already a group you're interested in, you can start one yourself.

A Denison education is definitely worth the price.

There are so many clubs on campus from sports to volunteer groups. There is a lot to get involved in.

Greek life is practiced on campus but it is not obnoxious. It is very inclusive and is not overwhelming or even very prevalent to those that aren't involved.

The campus security is always standing by when students call for help.

Denison is social - whether you're eating, studying, or wandering around campus, you do it with friends. Denison is smart - it's amazing to be around this many people who have higher than average intelligence. Denison is a bit of a party school, but simultaneously accessible for those who don't like the party scene.

If you can, stay overnight. Make sure you ask questions about things you're interested, but also just try to get a feel for the campus and see if you can imagine yourself living here. Try to make a couple of friends while you're visiting; talking to them about the decision will make it easier and it's great to know some people if you do decide to go here. Denison is really what you make of it.

The classes are challenging, but doable. Denison has a pretty prestigious reputation as well.

I love living with all of my friends close by. The dorms are pretty standard, and most people get along with their roommates well. The bathrooms are cleaned daily, and when you're an upperclassmen you get more options for suites and apartment-style living.

Food and dining is pretty average, but they're changing dining services next year, so fingers crossed for something excellent.

There are usually concerts and plays going on, and you can always get involved in movie nights (whether they're in your dorm or Slayter or the campus commons), and there are plenty of clubs and activities to get involved with.

Denison's got a pretty steep cover price - over $50,000 a year for room and board - but they give out a lot of scholarships and financial aid, and the time here is worth it all.

Every February there's a week when a lot of people streak across campus. As a freshman, I haven't experienced this yet but it should be quite interesting.

Smart, driven, and likes to party - just make sure you study first.

There are tons of clubs on campus and most have weekly meetings, if not more often. Whatever your interests, you can find a club for them.

Greek life is non-residential at Denison, which makes it a lot less clique-y. People in Greek life are often friends with non-Greeks. Rush is also in the spring, giving you time to decide if you're interested in joining and if so, which fraternities/sororities you like.

Denison's located in the tiny town of Granville, OH, and is quite safe. There's also plenty of campus security.

Endless opportunities. Positive and encouraging community. Freedom to choose your college experience.

People at Denison are endlessly encouraging. You must be willing to work hard if you want to do your part for the community, but it is a rewarding experience. Also be sure that the size of the school suits you.

You have to work hard, but there is help every step of the way and it really can be done. The work you do here can be so gratifying.

Improvements could be made to the dorms on an individual basis, but overall dorm life is very enjoyable and definitely fulfills all needs.

If you enjoy being on a meal plan, the selection could not be better. All around campus there are numerous options and good ones at that. However, if you choose to cook for yourself, there are no options to save the money you are forced to spend on a meal plan.

Anything and everything. Possibly the only downside (if you can look at it this way) is that you can't do everything. There are opportunities here that you can't find on other campuses. The administration and students alike make sure that there is always something to take part in, no matter what your interests.

The education and experiences you will find here are endlessly rewarding and will definitely benefit you in life after college. However, it can definitely be a pricey school, so if you should choose Denison, be sure that you can afford it.

A lot of bonding happens on The Hill even if it is just having to walk it everyday. One very unusual tradition is Naked Week, during which students strip naked and run around different parts of campus each night. The practice has been recognized for its uniqueness in several national publications. For those who participate, it is said to be incredibly freeing, and for those who do not, it can still be funny to just be a spectator.

Generally accepting individuals. The school and people here are open-minded and considerate of everyone around them. It is such a happy environment because despite all of the diversity around here, we are able to coexist in a mature and respectful fashion.

Endless options and the opportunity to start new ones at anytime.

You feel very safe both on Denison's campus and within the village of Granville. The school definitely has the feel of a small-town college. However, when any incident should arise (which does not occur very often) the administration is sure to make students aware. In the moment, security is always available and different measures are put in place to insure speedy response (i.e. blue light system).

Denison feels a lot bigger than it is; just over two thousand people sounds small but there are always faculty/staff, Granville, and other places to experience! Students are friendly and involved. The potential to succeed here is incredible- students can achieve anything!

Take difficult classes in high school- the experience of that level of rigor pays off. Learn time management before going to school. GET INVOLVED in high school and even more so in college.

Classes vary in rigor generally based on field of study. Some departments are more difficult than others. However, all classes are demanding and challenging, some just more than others.

This can go both ways. Quiet and substance free dorms aren't for everybody and neither are the normal dorms. Rooms are generally spacious and the RAs are great!

Food is pretty good. Students have to be creative with what they eat. However, dining services are putting out more and more local and organic foods.

Parties are limited on an entirely-residential campus with minimal satellite housing. But, plenty of events happen like comedians, movies, plays, concerts, etc.

Denison is expensive but it also gives out a ton of financial aid. Given that, the experience matches the high end price tag but almost nobody pays that. It's an incredible time in college for how much most students end up paying.

Don't step on the seal in front of Swasey Chapel! You won't graduate from Denison if you do.

There's a club for anything and, if not, it's easy to set one up! Also, clubs provide excellent opportunities for leadership and networking.

Greek life is a large and fairly prominent minority on campus. However, Greeks do not dominate the social scene.