For Colin O'Brien, the biggest surprises of life at Kenyon came outside the classroom. "I wasn't that involved in activities in high school," says the Williamstown, Massachusetts, resident, "but so many people have approached me here and invited me to join different organizations that it's opened new doors for me."

Lots of doors. O'Brien plays intramural soccer, performs with a stand-up comedy ensemble, and sings in the community choir. He's also a member of Alpha Delta Phi, a fraternity which sponsors a poetry contest and created a Great Teaching Award for Kenyon professors. (The first winner: Benjamin "Doc" Locke of the music department.)

A major in both English and religious studies, O'Brien is impressed that Kenyon students can immerse themselves in academics without worrying about one-upmanship or competition. "Colleges in the east can be cutthroat," he says. "At Kenyon, I've met so many people who love to learn for the sake of learning. We argue about philosophy over dinner. We read poetry with friends. There's an atmosphere of collegiality here that's refreshing."

O'Brien got his first taste of Kenyon as a high school student, when he attended the Young Writers summer program sponsored by the Kenyon Review. He applied to the College as an early-decision candidate and is pleased that he's found such a good fit. "I feel like Kenyon is teaching me how to live," he says. "It's so much more than a classroom education."