Knox College

Knox College offers students a "well-rounded liberal arts program" with a "great academic reputation." Known for valuing "independent initiative," Knox students can be found "commonly studying two vastly different subjects and allowing them to merge into one interdisciplinary interest." One student chose to attend Knox because "I knew that I would be allowed to be myself, choose the classes that I felt would have the most influence on my education and prepare me for the future." To support student independence and depth of study, Knox has an academic calendar that allows for "a semester's worth of coursework in a ten-week period" as well as an extended break between the fall and winter terms in which students can engage in research or internships. Students report that this system also "promotes better study habits and more attention focused on each class."

Students appreciate that they are "academically challenged without fierce competition," though they admit that courses can be "tough and require a lot of time studying, reading, writing, and thinking." Don't plan to come to Knox "if you want to shy away from class discussion." Student opinions are taken seriously. Administration and faculty "not only encourage the students to take charge and make change, but they listen and act on the student body's opinions." In so doing, Knox succeeds in "staying in tune with its roots as a progressive and accessible institution."

Students have been known to thank the "college admission gods" for their good fortune in being part of the Knox community. Students are quick to assure that "you'll meet a lot of people very fast, and by the end of your first term, you'll already be good friends with a pretty big portion of the student body." Camaraderie also develops quickly as a result of the Pumphandle, an event prior to the start of fall courses where each student shakes hands with every other student. Students find that their peers are a "highly diverse combination of creative, intellectual minds." As one student says, "Everyone at Knox is a little eccentric; we embrace each other's differences." In fact, students take pride in their "Knoxwardness" and advise that the best way to "fit in [is] by being themselves."

Students share that "when we want to do something fun, we typically organize it ourselves." Students can join any of the over 80 student-led clubs and student organizations on campus, and they delight in "artistic expression, be it poetry, visual art, performance art, music." Students also enjoy Thursday night jazz on campus, as well as a lively athletics scene. Some 70% of students participate in a varsity, club, or intramural sport. Fun on campus also comes courtesy of the Union Board, which "brings films, entertainers, concerts, and other groups to campus, including Second City," and sponsors movie nights that feature a 24-foot inflatable screen. Knox does have a Greek scene with four sororities and five fraternities. Students "go to parties, play games, dance, etc., just like any other college campus. The difference is our fraternity parties are open to the entire campus and do not serve alcohol." Fraternity parties are known as "places where you generally know everyone there, you have a good time, and no one steals your coat or purse." Students agree that their favorite on-campus event is Flunk Day, a 100-year-old tradition that takes place on a secret date each year. Recent Flunk Days have included obstacle courses, carnival games, rides, and live performances. One student describes it as "a day every spring when classes are canceled, and the entire campus goes out on the lawn and plays games, eats great food, and enjoys free entertainment."