Reviews

You'll never meet a more inclusive campus filled with friends and faculty that want you to succeed. The academics are fantastic as well as the opportunities the campus works to give each student. If you want to go to a college where you'll make connections that'll last a lifetime and find success as well, it's the right place to go.

Go out for any interesting clubs on campus because they're the fastest way to become friends with a lot of people. Watch out for the food and dorms, both of them aren't as awesome as they may originally seem. Also, beware the squirrels, Simpson's squirrels will stare you down until you move out of their way.

It's your choice how difficult the classes are. It's all about being in touch with yourself and knowing your limits. The classes I picked push me past my boundaries but never past a point where I'm going to fall off of a metaphorical cliff.

The people you live with will be great, I can guarantee that much. The dorms themselves are kind of shabby and forget about enjoying the bathrooms. Some people just can't aim, male or female.

Some food ends up being really good like their Crab Rangoon pizza or loaded baked potato soup, but it gets repetitive quickly. There's not much of a variety and the schedules aren't very friendly if you're fond of midnight snacks. Also, it gets expensive if you don't watch what you're buying. That being said, the board/flex plans they have available make it easy to get your food each semester instead of some schools who have it daily or weekly. You eat when you need to.

Simpson is always doing something. The third Wednesday of every month a comedian comes in and we've got theater performances as well as sports. We get discount movies at the movie theater which is within walking distance from the school.

I've been at Simpson for one year and in that first semester I've taught a class of peers, won four trophies in a speech competition halfway across the country, learned how to use power tools in the theater, and met with people who have careers in the field I'm looking into. There's so much opportunity to amount to something on this campus, it's insane. The second semester was just as amazing where I even ended the last month with a 3 week job in my fields of study. There's plenty of bang for what you pay.

There are two seals on campus that you see while walking around, but don't step on them. Legend has it that if you step on the seal, you fail your next big test. Also, Millie is our local ghost and we've got a coffee shop on campus named after her.

This school is perfect for anyone who likes to be acknowledged or cared about. You'll know your classmates and professors going here. Sometimes in a bigger school it's easy to disappear in the crowd, but Simpson isn't like that. Here the teachers and peers care about you and your well-being.

This is one of my favorite parts on campus because the upperclassmen show you the ropes and encourage you to do your best. In every club I'm in and everyone I've talked to in their clubs, they've all agreed that the clubs are like one big group. They invite you to eat with them, warn you about little oddities professors have, and make sure that you're faring just fine. They've also got pretty impressive track records as well.

I'm not in Greek Life, but the people who are love their sisters/brothers. The Greek people are approachable and not closed off in their own groups. There's always something being hosted by the Greeks to go to like Spaghetti nights or BINGO. You can be included there or just make friends, there's no pressure and whether you're interested in going Greek or not, rushing is one of the most fun things to do that first week.

The campus is well lit and I haven't seen many issues with any security personal. If you need it they'll give you rides places, but the campus is generally very safe. I've walked across campus by myself at midnight with no problems.

Simpson College is a great school to attend if you are going for a small community or a student-teacher connection. The classes range from 15-40 students (and there is always an open spot in class). Simpson provides their students with the education and help needed to make it to their future goals.

Where ever you chose to attend college, make sure you study hard and work on time management.

Classes are tough, that is for any college out there.

Neighbors are always respective to one another. There is always some thing going on in the dorms, from kids studying or hanging out in the lounge, to floor leaders coming up with some fun activity to get everyone closer.

Here at Simpson, there are multiple places to enjoy a quick lunch, or sit down for dinner with friends. If you happen to be a picky eater, Simpson has a variety of choices ranging from burgers, to salads, or even a buffet!

Sports, going to the football games, or being involved in the activities on campus. Things like Greek Life, or intermural sports is a great place to start.

Simpson has helped me find myself. By that I mean, I found who I truly am. I am someone who loves to talk and new people. If I were to have chosen another school over Simpson, I may not have known that about myself. I would have been left with my same group of friends from high school, who have moved out of state, or all around the country; In simpler terms, I would not have made any new friends if it weren't for my choosing of Simpson.

An unusual tradition led by the students, is to not step on the seals around campus. The myth goes If you step on one, you will fail your next test. If you watch students pass by the seals, they always manage to walk around them.

Honestly, Simpson is a great school for everyone.

There are multiple clubs on Simpson campus. So many that it is impossible to name every single one. A few however, are clubs such as Spanish club, parenting club, math or science club, and so many more.

At Simpson, there are three houses for the girls, and four for the boys. The students part of Greek Life get others involved at Simpson by hosting bomb fires, or a beginning of there dance.

If you ever feel unsafe by walking alone, are given campus security numbers so they will come and pick you up. If you ever need help talking about personal things, SARA, a club hotline here at Simpson, is always ready to help you tlak.

Simpson College is home away from home. The small town community and the college work together to give students the best opportunities possible. Resources are easily accessible and the education gained here is excellent.

Make sure that you tour campus! There are a lot of opportunities at Simpson as there are at other colleges, but at Simpson there is a tighter community. Be sure that you take into consideration that Simpson is a small college.

The professors are very personable and the staff is always looking in the student's best interest. Professors are very open to working with students one-on-one and always have their door open.

Freshman dorm rooms are decently sized, well kept, and centrally located on campus. Upperclassmen dorms are suite-like. Student's keep their doors open when they want company and many other's stop by for a study break. Dorms are usually quiet during the week and occasionally are louder on weekends.

Pfieffer Dinning Hall was remodeled over the summer and resulted in a variety of food options. There is a buffet line, pizza station, subway like sandwich station, and a chef who makes a personalized version of the dish of the day.

There is a Campus Activity Board that provides many activities throughout the year such as BINGO, dances, pottery painting, comedians, and random events. We also have fitness classes offered at a fitness cent ,such as step and zumba. These are all free for Simpson students. Simpson students also get a discount at the local movie theater. At homecoming each year, we have Yell Like Hell, which is a very large stomp/dance competition. It really brings the whole college together for the night.

The professors are very personable and the small class sizes allow for easy learning. Resources are easily obtainable and there are many free programs that the school provides, such as tutoring. There is free laundry and cheap parking fees. To top it off, there will be a new campus center opening October 2012 that has new dining options along with frozen yogurt.

Simpson is a great school for those interested in the arts. There is a new performing arts center that hosts the opera each year and is supported widely by the community. The Athletic Training program at Simpson is very competitive, with knowledgeable teachers, and many hands-on-experiences.

There are so many clubs and activities to be a part of at Simpson College! There is religious life community, political groups, residence's life, and major groups to name only a few. There are also many leadership positions in classes that students can apply for such as Teacher's Assistants or Supplemental Instruction Leader.

There is Greek Life on campus, but is not like larger schools. The sororities and fraternities are much smaller in numbers and this allows for tighter bonds and more leadership position opportunities. They are actively creating philanthropic events which benefit the community as well as their philanthropies.

There is not a time of day or place that I would not feel safe walking to, even alone. Campus Security will also escort you if at any time you do not feel safe.

Plan early! It's never too early to begin searching for colleges that will fit your needs!

It is a good place, with a great education!

Very fun, they have a lot of activities to do!

College food always gets old after the first couple weeks.. Meals from home always seem so much better once you've started college.

They have tons of intramurals!

Awesome school all over!

Students who don't mind spending a little more for the smaller classes and more personalized learning.

Soo many to choose from!

Very nice security!

I will be a sophomore at Simpson this year and I find the environment to be very learner friendly. The professors are always willing to help when I don't understand something, and the student services are great, too.

There is almost always something to do, whether it is on campus or around the town. The location is also great because it is so close to Des Moines. I also enjoy the size of the campus because I don't have to walk all over the town to get from class to class.

The freshman dorms aren't the greatest, but they are a good environment to live in for your first year. They are very user friendly and are located in central campus so all of your classes are easy to find, as well as the food!

I would highly recommend stopping by during Private College Week for the tour and if you decided to really make a commitment to Simpson, befriend your destination leader during your personal tour. They will be a great help for EVERYTHING during your school year.

Any student that is willing to step up and be great. Simpson offers many opportunities and if you are willing to put yourself out there, you can only be set up for success.

Small campus and very quiet. I got a personal tour while classes were in session which was cool. Met with an admissions advisor who answered all of my questions.

Try to visit when school is in session. They will even let you sit in one of the classes and observe. Make an appointment for a private tour. If you are into music programs, ask for time with the department head.

Tough to get in, but worth it if you are looking for something small near a larger metro. Guaranteed internships are also a draw.

Freshman are required to live in the dorms and there are lots of planned activities.

Evidentially one of the coffee shops is named after a girl ghost of a former student who died falling down the stairs. I didn't try the food during my visit, but there looked to be ample options.

Go to games. Lots of dorm activities.

Someone looking for a small campus where the teachers know you by name. (And will notice when you aren't in class).

Simpson College is an all-around great private school that allows for personal connections with professor, plenty of opportunities, and is a great learning environment. The benefits of a small college are so great, and my experience at Simpson has been nothing short of great.

If you have any questions, talk to an admissions counselor. They are so helpful and will go out of their way to make sure you get all of your questions answered before moving in, and that your transition to college is a smooth one.

Because of the small class sizes, its not really possible to slack off. Professors give ample opportunities to succeed and will notice if you are falling behind. Simpson is different than big Universities - you can't skip class unnoticed.

The freshman dorms are very spacious and comfortable. They are relatively quiet, and always safe.

Not a lot of food options, but they are continuously trying to incorporate more choices into their options. The dining hall is not my favorite, there always seems to be the same thing for every meal. But walmart is a short walk away and the Kent Center has a few other food options that offer a little more variety.

With Simpson being in such a small town, there really isn't much to do. There are always parties if you want to find them, but its never too crazy. A lot of people leave for the weekends, but I always seem to find something to do.

Studious, serious about school

We have unique course requirements which you would know as general education. Rather than having to take two math courses, one science,
foreign language, etc. before you are able to work on courses towards your major. This is how Simpson is: your requirements consists of engaged citizenship (art, diversity, global perspectives, etc.) Then within that you have embedded skills (critical thinking, collaborative leadership, oral communication, etc.) What I enjoy about this is that you can take the courses you want and need to for you major/minor(s) and still receive credit for those areas. Also, you get new perspectives on life.

All of the professors teach the courses there's no Teaching Assistants. Also, they all have PHDs in whatever they're teaching. Another thing that is beneficial is they have required office hours (10hrs/week) where they want students to come and speak with them about either their courses, plans for the future, or life in general. They are not as scary as you think â?? they're human and understanding if things happen.

Kresge Hall- the oldest and largest residence hall on the Simpson College campus. It was built in 1949, had an addition completed in 1961, and was newly renovated in 2001. Beginning in Fall 2005, Kresge provides living accommodations for 215 first-year men and women on four floors. While the building is co-ed, it is split into single-sex wings. While mainly comprised of two-person rooms, some triples and quads exist. Each wing has community bath and laundry facilities. The first floor houses the main lounge, Area Coordinator office, SHC apartment and vending area. The basement has the computer room, pool table, exercise equipment, kitchen, laundry facilities, and a lounge area. Located in the heart of campus, Kresge Hall is adjacent to Pfeiffer Dining Hall and near Dunn Library. Kresge Hall is a substance-free building (no smoking, alcohol, etc.)

Barker Hall - was built in 1954, renovated in 2002, and had a 76-bed addition completed in Fall 2005. It is located at 603 N Buxton Street. With the addition, Barker Hall will house 189 first-year men and women in a variety of double, triple, and quad rooms on 3 floors. The building in split into 6 single-sex wings, and each wing has community bath facilities . The first floor has a main lounge area, while the lower level houses an additional large lounge space, a laundry and vending area, and a computer room. The hall kitchen is on the second floor. Also located in the heart of campus, Barker Hall is adjacent to Pfeiffer Dining Hall and near Dunn Library. Barker Hall is a substance-free building (no smoking, alcohol, etc.)

For our upper division students we offer a variety of housing options in the residence halls, theme houses, Greek houses, and apartment

Student staff â?? Each year, Residence Life hires 36 students to be on our staff. The positions are a main resource for our residential students and a key leadership position on campus.

Area Councils â?? In the first-year area and Buxton/Picken, there...

Although, there is a little variety of food, you can manage it by being creative with your options. But it can get boring after a while. The food isn't as
bad a you think, according to students and staff it is way better than a few years ago. And, the food staff is always improving.

We have a main dining hall, Pfieffer, where many students eat. Then, in our student center, we have Tyler's Grille, Au Bon Pain, Red Mango, and Millie's (aka Starbucks).

Our Campus Activities Board (CAB) is amazing! They're always bringing in comedian's (Hump day Has), musicians for concerts, BINGO, and other exciting activities. There's never a dull week! Plus, they're free to students! Can't beat that!

In fact, 99 percent of Simpson students receive some form of financial aid. Their goal is to make sure financial barriers never keep bright, motivated students from attending Simpson.

Simpson offers a variety of merit- and need-based scholarships. Financial assistance also comes in the form of grants, loans and work programs.

Campus Day: During the spring semester, classes are cancelled for one day to allow Simpson students and faculty to celebrate Campus Day. Campus Day is a long-standing tradition that encourages everyone to participate in the community service projects both on and off campus.

Simpson Seal: Walking on the Simpson seal embedded in the sidewalk outside College Hall is considered bad luck. It's believed those who step on the seal will fail their next test. Countless students sidestep, hop and jump the seal as they walk through campus, especially during finals week.

Walking Through the Gates: As the college kicks off the new year each fall, the freshman class walks through the red brick gates in front of College Hall to start their Simpson Experience. In late spring, the senior class ceremoniously marches through the same gates, symbolizing a full circle journey on graduation day.


Yell Like Hell: During Homecoming each year, students pack into Field House to show off their Simpson pride during Yell Like Hell pep rally, where campus groups compete fiercely against each other for the best stomp/cheer routine.

There are many opportunities for students, both in and out of the classroom. One of the many things we take pride in, is the level of involvement of our students, whether it is in a social or honorary group or through involvement in greek life or through one of the many programs offered by intramurals or religious life. At the end of the spring semester, we had more than 70 groups registered on campus and we are sure that one of those 70 groups will be the match for you.

Interesting groups:
Comic Book Club - for any student who knows, loves, or has been interested in learning about comics. Members can be interested in any genres: comic, manga, anime, etc.

Humans vs. Zombies (HvZ) - a game of tag. All players begin as humans except the few who are chosen to be original zombies. All zombies are the it players; their goal is to tag humans to turn them into zombies. HvZ games on campus are organized once a semester.

The Religious Life Community - is a student-led collection of ministries striving to intentionally promote and share a spirit of love with others on campus and beyond. Bible studies, mission trips, retreats, shared meals, worship and prayer are only a few of the opportunities offered to students, encouraging them to engage with one another and develop a sense of abundant life.

Simpson's PRIDE - seeks to promote a sense of unity and diversity encompassing the student and faculty bodies, especially as it pertains to the issue of public acceptance of alternative sexual identities. In addition to providing support and community for those of alternative sexualities, PRIDE makes it its mission to reach out to those members of the student and faculty bodies unaccustomed to issues of sexuality, with which many labor in silence and anxiety.

WTF - Where's The Fun, they put on Palooza's of all sorts and kinds.

Fraternity and sorority life can foster the education of the whole person: intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Brotherhood and sisterhood, leadership, philanthropy, and scholarship are but a few of the areas in which the fraternity and sorority community at Simpson aspires to achieve excellence.

Greek Brotherhood & Sisterhood: A sense of unity and friendship forms among members of an individual chapter, as well as among everyone in the same chapter across the nation. The bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood are forged throughout the member's active participation in the chapter and last for a lifetime.

Leadership: Greeks are highly involved in student leadership positions at Simpson. Membership in Greek organizations provides excellent opportunities to get involved, assume responsibility and develop leadership skills.

Philanthropy: Simpson Greeks contribute many hours each semester to philanthropies and service projects. The opportunities you will encounter to give of yourself for the sake of helping others are endless. From children's hospitals to cancer foundations, Simpson Greeks are actively supporting worthy causes.

Scholarship: At Simpson, one of the most important aspects of Greek Life is scholarship. Good scholarship is a prerequisite to becoming an initiated member of a Greek organization. Greeks at Simpson have consistently proven their academic abilities by their recognition and involvement in campus honor societies.

The Department of Campus Security works to maintain a safe environment for the campus community, while also educating and involving campus members in safety and security issues.

SARA - provides 24/7 advocacy services to anyone in need of support and/or assistance due to sexual assault. SARA is a campus organization aimed at creating greater awareness about sexual assault.

Simpson is a great place to get your college experience if you're looking for a school that will make you feel important rather than just another number. The faculty are all very friendly and understanding, and the students are the same way. If you're looking for a school that cares about you as an individual, choose Simpson.

If Simpson is on your college list, come tour the campus! There's no better way to figure out what college is the one for you than going on a visit. Plus, Simpson's campus is really beautiful year round!

I would say Simpson is about average. College classes will be much harder than high school classes no matter where you go, but the professors at Simpson are always available to help you if you just ask!

The dorm rooms are about average-sized. The CA's/RA's are all really cool and laid back for the most part. Plus, there's always something going on in the lounges if you get bored. If you want to meet people, just keep your door open and they'll come in.

For a college, the food is actually pretty good. There are three main places to eat: Pfeifer is buffet style (cheaper, but not as flavorful), ABP is like a sandwich/soup shop (average-priced, and healthy too!), and Tyler's is a grill (a little on the expensive side, and flavorful, but not very healthy). Basically there's something to satisfy any craving you might have.

The Campus Activities Board at Simpson is always planning fun things for us to do. From dances, to hypnotists, to comedians, to bands, they keep us entertained. Also, there's a nice hiking trail not too far off campus, and Indianola is home to the National Hot-Air Balloon Museum!

Simpson appears to be pretty expensive, but they hand out plenty of financial aid! It's definitely worth it for the education and preparation for the future that the college gives you.

There is a ghost who haunts college hall. It's said that she fell and died there way back when. The whole story is on Simpson's website! A tradition on campus is to never step on any of the campus seals. It is said that if you do, you will certainly fail your next exam.

Simpson is great for outgoing, driven students. If you want to succeed, you can make it happen here, and you'll make plenty of friends along the way.

Simpson may be small, but it is definitely not lacking when it comes to extra-curricular activities! If you want to walk on to a sports team, you can do it here. If you want to join thirty different clubs, go for it! The small size makes Simpson perfect for people who like to get involved on campus.

Rushing at Simpson is a fun experience. There's a sorority/fraternity for everyone who wants to join one, and they stay really involved both on and off campus. I would recommend rushing just to try it. It's fun even if you don't pledge!

I feel completely secure on campus. Simpson stays well lit at all hours, and if you ever need a ride anywhere you can just call campus security. They will come pick you up (whether you're on campus or off), and they will take you wherever you ask them to, no questions asked.

Simpson College is an amazing campus where I have grown immensely. I absolutely love Simpson, and others do too, though no college is perfect. It's a beautiful place to be.

The biggest tip I have for prospective students would be to not be afraid of talking to the professors. The professors aren't like high school teachers. They will help you with absolutely anything and will take as much time out of the day as needed to make sure that you succeed to the best of your ability.

Simpson has a wide variety of classes, and thus, Simpson has a wide range of difficulty for classes. Advisors will make sure that no student attempts to take a 300 level class their first year, but students are also free to take the classes they feel they're ready for if they have the prerequisites. I absolutely love the challenges the classes give me at Simpson because I know I'm not paying for a bad education.

Dorm life at Simpson is pretty laid back. At the beginning of the year in the freshman dorms we had meetings to get to know each other, but that all stopped when a lot of people switched rooms, floors, and even buildings! Greek life also took a lot of people so the dorms aren't actually all that active, which is nice for studying.

Simpson has multiple on campus venues for food because the Kent center was built and some restaurants moved in. The trouble with the food in the Kent Center though is that it is ridiculously expensive; you don't get your money's worth. The other option is Pfeiffer Dining Hall, which is all you can eat, but they decided to close it on the weekends and sometimes the food isn't the most tasteful.

Simpson College is in Indianola which is a pretty sleepy town, but we're about fifteen minutes from Des Moines which is fantastic. We have the venues nearby, but none of the traffic. Simpson is quiet at night, which is great for sleep, but it also leads to a lot of people going home on the weekends.

Simpson is a great college academically. If you go to Simpson you know you're going to get one of the best educations you could pay for, which is priceless. Unfortunately, the food isn't that good and the tuition is ridiculously expensive.

Don't step on the seal! If you step on the seal in front of College Hall, you'll fail your next test. Oh, and there's also the ghost of Mildred.

Simpson College is actually a great place for all sorts of students. Simpson is renowned for its vocal music program, and the rest of the departments are well ordered as well. Simpson is actually a very liberal campus, and stands against many social injustices so there's always a way to be involved with the world around you.

Simpson has tons of clubs and activities to do for any sort of person. We have clubs ranging from Comic Book Club to Computer Club, to Religious Life Formation Groups, to Simpson Student Democrats. The clubs are also working on doing more collaborative work with each other, so you're likely to be exposed to many different things on campus.

Greek Life is wonderful. I'm in a female fraternity ( ;) ), and it is one of the greatest things I've ever done. I love my sisters, and the entire process one takes to go through bidding is long, but totally worth it in the end.

Simpson's campus is incredibly safe. Indianola is a pretty small Iowa town, so there isn't much crime to begin with. We also have a 24 hour security service that will drive you from building to building if you ever don't feel safe at night, though there's nothing really to worry about.