Frequently Asked Questions

Our goal, throughout the site, is to provide you with as much information as you need to decide if Kenyon is a good match for you and help you through the application process. But we recognize that you may have some unanswered questions. Below you'll find a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) relating to first-year life, the application process (with FAQs relating to transfer and home-schooled students), testing and credit , academics , and other aspects of Kenyon life.

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact admissions or ask a current student directly.

First-Year Life

Should I buy a computer?

It's up to you to decide whether or not to purchase a computer for your college career. More than 90 percent of Kenyon students do bring one to campus. If you choose not to own a computer, don't worry! There are more than 200 computers accessible to students. Whether you prefer Windows or Mac, you will find campus support for both. Every student has his or her own computer account providing access to e-mail, the Web, online library resources, and other services. The fiber-optic campus network can be accessed in every dorm room in the residences.

What are Kenyon's fees and charges?

Tuition and fees , excluding nonrecurring and voluntary charges, apply to all students. 99 percent of students live in campus housing and 100 percent are expected to sign up for a meal plan.

What type of housing can I expect?

Kenyon is a residential college with a variety of housing options. Most first-year students live in traditional residence halls in double rooms, although some singles and triples are available. First-years are assigned to residence halls forming a quad, making it easy to form friendships among classmates. Beyond the first year, housing options include traditional residence halls, themed housing, and apartment-style living. Transfers live in upper-class residences.

Are first-year students allowed to have cars on campus?

Yes. For a fee of $200, any student is allowed to have a car on campus . The only restriction is that cars with certain permits must park in designated lots around campus. It's important to note that cars are not necessary as transportation from class to class or dorm to dorm. This is a walking campus.

Application Process

Are there advantages to applying Early Decision?

Kenyon College offers two Early Decision options. At Kenyon, Early Decision candidates are judged by the same standards as all other applicants; they are simply evaluated in the context of a smaller group. Option 1 is intended for candidates who have decided by mid-fall that Kenyon is their first college choice; Option 2 is intended for candidates who decide in the late fall or early winter that Kenyon is their first college choice. Option 2 also allows students to submit grades from their first semester of senior year. Certainly, choosing Early Decision indicates a strong interest in Kenyon, and interest is one of many factors the college considers.

Is an interview required for admission?

Although interviews are not required, the Kenyon admissions office strongly recommends them—especially on-campus interviews—as the process allows staff to get acquainted with prospective students. Interviews are informal and last approximately 45 minutes. A tour can also be scheduled and lasts about one hour.

As a transfer student, should I come to Kenyon for an interview?

Interviews are strongly recommended. You can also attend classes and stay overnight.

If I transfer, will my grades from another college count in my Kenyon GPA?

Credit will transfer only for those courses which are either offered at Kenyon or fall within the philosophical framework of our liberal arts and sciences curriculum. Grades earned from another college will not be counted in your Kenyon GPA.

If I transfer to Kenyon, will I be able to participate in a study-abroad program?

The answer to this is yes, provided you transfer as a sophomore. Kenyon students must spend at least two years in residence at the College.

How many semesters must I spend at Kenyon to earn a Kenyon degree?

Students must spend four semesters (a minimum of two years) at Kenyon, including the senior year, and earn 16 or more units of credit to achieve the B.A. degree.

Do you accept home-schooled students?

Yes. Students who have met their local and/or state regulations for schooling at home may apply for admission to Kenyon. Home-schooled students should have an on-campus interview. See our section for home-schooled students for detailed information.

What if I want to defer my offer of admission?

Students who wish to defer admission to Kenyon should complete the application process as a first-year applicant. Admitted students who are considering a deferral year need to submit a written request to the Dean of Admissions. If your deferral plans are approved, an enrollment deposit is due in order to secure your place in the next year's class. Students who defer their offer of admission do so under the condition that they will not enroll full time at another institution nor apply as a first-year student to another institution during the course of the year.

Testing & Credit

What Should I Do About Sending SAT Scores?

Recently, the College Board restored a past practice of letting students choose what sitting of the SAT they send to colleges -- thus the term "score choice." Colleges were also given a choice as to what scores they require (all sittings or just selected?). Thus -- "score choice" became "score choice confusion!" In an effort to help students navigate the maze of this change, most colleges said they would continue to do what they've always done -- which is to take the highest score of each of the three sub-scores (the critical reading, math and writing) to create a new grand total.

So what should students do when registering for the SAT? We would encourage you to send all sittings of your scores to the colleges to which you are applying. It keeps things simple -- and also ensures that scores arrive on time so that your application will be complete and evaluated in a timely manner. If new scores come in, they are added to your record immediately. And just in case you're wondering, we advise students not to spend too many Saturday mornings taking standardized tests! Usually, two sittings is adequate. Read more about our position and advice on score choice and standardized testing.

Is the SAT or ACT required? Is there an SAT or ACT minimum score requirement?

Kenyon requires the SAT or ACT . There is no minimum score required, as the admissions committee considers a variety of factors , including the high school grades earned and the rigor of the courses taken, activities, involvement and talents, recommendations, and the essay and other personal statements.

How important are test scores?

In reviewing your application to Kenyon, we give primary consideration to your high school transcript, recommendations from your teachers and/or counselor, and your application, including your personal statement and short answers on the Kenyon supplement. Of secondary consideration are your college entrance exam scores (SAT or ACT).

Do I need to take the writing portion of the ACT exam?

If you are applying to Kenyon, we do not require you to take the writing portion of the ACT exam. If, however, you are taking the new SAT, you will be required to write an essay as part of this exam. While the admissions committee will review your score on the essay, we will treat it as we do SAT II scores (also not required): as tertiary information.

Does Kenyon give credit for AP courses? What about IB courses?

Students admitted to Kenyon who have achieved a grade of 4 or 5 on the CEEB Advanced Placement examination may receive up to 0.5 units of credit. Secondary schools offer AP examinations in May. While AP credit cannot be used to fulfill distribution or residency requirements, it can be cited in petitions for early graduation. More about AP & Other Credits.

Academics

What is the average class size and student-to-faculty ratio?

The average class size is 15. The student-to-faculty ratio is 10 to 1. Check here for other Fast Facts .

Does Kenyon have a core course requirement?

Kenyon does not have a core curriculum. Thus, no one specific course is required for graduation. However, there is a distribution requirement whereby each student must take one full unit (two semesters) of coursework in each of the four academic divisions: fine arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. In addition, students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language and must fulfill a quantitative-reasoning requirement. We believe this offers sufficient structure so that students will be broadly educated, and yet they still have a great deal of freedom in planning their own program.

What are Kenyon's most popular departments?

Among our students, 32 percent choose majors in the humanities, 32 percent in the social sciences, 22 percent in the natural sciences and mathematics, 9 percent in the fine arts, and 5 percent in interdisciplinary studies. The departments that graduate the most majors are English , Political Science , Psychology , History , Biology, and Molecular Biology.

I have heard about Kenyon's literary tradition. How strong are the sciences?

Kenyon's philosophy is to provide a level of quality throughout the curriculum so that students can choose any major and be assured of a top-notch education.

Graduates in the sciences consistently earn places in the top medical and research institutions around the country. Over the last 3 years, 100% of Kenyon applicants with an MCAT score of 30 or above and a GPA of 3.5 or above have been accepted to medical school. In any given year, Kenyon will graduate approximately 25% of the class in the biological and physical sciences.

Kenyon Life

How diverse is the Kenyon student body?

Kenyon is committed to diversity . The student body is made up of 53 percent women and 47 percent men. Fourteen percent of Kenyon students are people of color. Finally, students also represent every major religion and can celebrate their traditions throughout the school year with the assistance of the Board of Spiritual and Religious Life. See our Admissions Statistics for additional information.

What kind of health care is available at Kenyon? Where is the nearest hospital?

Kenyon's Health and Counseling Center is an integral part of the College's total educational program. In addition, the village of Gambier maintains a round-the-clock volunteer rescue squad. The closest area hospital, the Knox County Community Hospital, is in Mount Vernon, just five miles from campus. For more specialized needs, the Ohio State Medical Center is only 50 miles away in Columbus, as are other medical resources.

What is religious life like at Kenyon?

Religious and spiritual life here has always been rich—though it has changed over the years. Like many American colleges and universities, Kenyon was founded as an Episcopal college. Today Kenyon is a nonsectarian institution where students, faculty, and staff of all faiths and creeds are welcome and supported.

What do Kenyon's alumni do?

Kenyon's graduates are an accomplished and interesting group. Alumni enter a variety of career fields. Some of the most popular include medicine, law, education, banking and finance, government and public policy, journalism, public relations, advertising, and consulting. Additionally, the overall acceptance rate for all of our graduates who apply to graduate school is 90 percent.