Academics
“Generous” financial aid and “a strong reputation for science” are two hallmarks of Hendrix College, “a progressive liberal arts school filled with Southern hospitality.” Another perk is Hendrix’s unique Odyssey Program, which allows students to “explore all sorts of things” in a hands-on way. You can learn printmaking, just for example, or maybe jet off to Prague to observe ballroom dancing. Class sizes are “small” here, and the academic atmosphere is “exceptionally rigorous.” “There is a ton of writing.” “A lot of time must be devoted to studying.” “Unmotivated students do not last long.” “It’s sink or swim,” contemplates a philosophy major. “If you swim, you’re in for a really great experience.” Professors are tough, but they’re also “unwaveringly genial and helpful.” Faculty members “love what they do and are very good at it.” “They make the subjects really interesting,” swears a religious studies major. They’re “passionate about their fields and very accessible in and out of the classroom.” Students do have some academic complaints. “The registration process could be better.” The level of academic satisfaction is pretty high overall, though, and the fact that about one-third of all newly minted Hendrix grads proceed directly to graduate and professional school is evidence that all the hard work pays off.
Student Body
Some students tell us that Hendrix is “a cross between” a hippie school and a nerd school. Others call this place “more preppy than hippie.” More often than not, students have left-leaning political views. “Hendrix is the liberal mecca of Arkansas.” A fairly high percentage of students smoke—sometimes “heavily.” Students describe themselves as “hardworking,” “very ambitious,” “pretty free-spirited,” and “eclectic” “intellectual misfits” who tend to have “lots of interests and hidden abilities.” “People with particularly odd or strange quirks fit right in” at Hendrix because “everybody is weird in one way or another.” “While I can’t say we are ethnically diverse,” promises one student, “I can say that everyone is wholeheartedly welcome.” In the cafeteria, “you’ll see a jock, a gay drama kid, and a hippie all sitting together having a good time together.” “People form groups quickly and really just stick to those groups,” though.
Campus Life
Social life here is extremely “campus-centric,” and Hendrix is “small enough to evoke a sense of familiarity without feeling boring.” “Hendrix is its own little world where you can’t help but get caught up in something.” “We have everything from sword club, Frisbee team, volunteer committee, to full orchestra,” enthuses one student. “There is always something to do.” “A lot of kids play intramural sports and stay pretty athletic.” “People are very involved in the act of hanging out” as well, and “There are really interesting conversations going on all over campus.” “During the week, Hendrix is quiet because everybody is studying or working on something school related.” On the weekends, however, “Hendrix definitely has an active party scene.” The revelry is “easy to avoid if you want to” but most students embrace it. “The lack of Greek life makes parties much more open and universal.” “Super-fun parties” reportedly abound. “Almost every weekend has been predesignated for some sort of ongoing annual event.” Off campus, some feel Conway, Arkansas, boasts little to do, but relatively urbane Little Rock is a short drive and “a common destination for Hendrix students wanting to break away from the routine.” Students say the campus here is “absolutely gorgeous.” However, some note that housing isn’t uniformly objectionable, but some of the dorms “have issues.” Students have few other gripes about their lives here, though. The food: always “digestible” and occasionally “fantastic.”
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