We loved our visit as our son prepares for his college choice. Knox has a wonderful campus, full of historic buildings that have clearly been maintained properly, and the newest buildings blend in well despite their architectural and technological differences. I was similarly impressed with the student-ambassadors and professors who made themselves available, and my very-discerning son came away impressed at the caliber of students and professors alike. He aspires to be a history professor and already knows much, much more than I do (I've been a high school teacher for 20 years). For him to come away with compliments speaks volumes about what he experienced. For context, here's his explanation of the conflict as Russia invaded Ukraine: "The Slavic people's (Poles, Russians, Serbs, Croats, Bulgarians, etc) originated in the area called Ruthenia which is split between Poland and Ukraine. By the 500s they had split into Western Slavs centered in Poland and Eastern Slavs centered in Ukraine. Northern Russia was occupied by Finno-Ugric tribes and was sparsely populated, but the Eastern Slavs gradually pushed north. Around this time (the 700s) Vikings from Sweden began settling in the area and intermingling with the Russians. The name Russian actually comes from a term the Vikings used for the natives, "Rus'" from Old Norse "Roþlandi" (land of rowers) For most of the middle ages people in Ukraine and Russia shared a common language and culture and this is still largely true. Ukrainian is considered by some linguists to be a dialect of Russian as they are mostly mutually intelligible. Like I've said, the concept of an independent Ukrainian state is a very new concept. The first Ukrainian state was formed in 1917 after the treaty of Brest-Litovsk when the central powers created the Ukrainian People's Republic, also know as the National Republic of Ukraine. The Republic was mostly controlled by right-wing or anti-communist groups and so they developed a form of nationalism based in Russophobia. This was made worse by the terrible borders drawn by the Soviet Union. Crimea, which had always had a population of mixed Tatars and Russians, was given to Ukraine. A large area east of the Dneipr river (which is what Russia is invading Ukraine for) is also almost completely Russia". He's got some content knowledge. For him to be impressed by what he saw speaks volumes (and I'm not bragging about my son; I'm complimenting Knox). read more

As a student coming from halfway across the country (the sunny West Coast) to attend college at Knox - I can honestly say that Knox is a worthwhile and incredibly unique place to attend college. The campus itself is small, making it easy to make friends of all ages and backgrounds and make it to and from class on time. The classes offered here are compelling, engaging, and challenging. The faculty and staff are supportive and have consistently pushed me to be the best version of myself as possible inside and outside of the classroom. Here are some of my favorite things about Knox: - Ease of getting involved on campus (volunteer opportunities, language and cultural clubs, athletics, performing arts, etc. open to all students) - Galesburg! The neighboring town of the school is complete with all of the stores a college student might need (Kohls, Wal-Mart, Target), as well as yummy restaurants (Baked Pizza, Landmark Cafe) - Amtrak: Knox College is an easy five/ten minute walk to an Amtrak station where you can board a train and be in Chicago in a matter of hours - Community: Knox is a close-knit and diverse community of scholars from across the United States and the world itself. Students come to Knox to learn from esteemed faculty and each other. I value the friendships I have made at Knox, and look forward to an incredible future with them after graduation read more

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Knox College is a very special and amazing place. I just graduated and I miss it already. The main reason I miss it is the people. Knox College is full of wonderful people. That includes the students, professors, other faculty, coaches, etc. Everywhere you go there is someone you know and there is someone saying hi to you. You always feel welcomed and you always feel at home. Graduation day was one of the most special days of my life. I got to say goodbye to the most most special place I have ever known. The reason graduation day was so special, is because everybody was there. Everyone you had seen for 4 years all came out to wish goodbye and good luck. Knox College is a place where people genuinely care and it is the place to be. read more

I'll put my two downsides first - I found living in a small town hard. almost painful. And being on such a small campus can make things a bit socially cramped. But, despite those two things, I'd gotta say I'm a believer. The professors are freaking amazing and they actually care about their students. Plus, having small classes is really nice. The other students tend to be down to earth and not stuck up. Sure, there are some douches and some pretentious a-holes, but you'll find that everywhere. In general, I think Knox is actually a lot less cliquey than other, larger schools. It's common for greek and nongreek to mix, athlete and nonathlete, blah blah blah one big happy family. Yeah. Knox is pretty wonderful. read more

This was an awesome education, albeit expensive as hell. However, the professors are awesome, the study abroad programs are awesome and I learned all that I could and felt comfortable in a classroom. This is where I learned to speak up in class; this is where I learned to embrace my love for the Spanish language. However, there are drawbacks. Tiny college=full of drama. Don't let anyone try to tell you that there isn't. Also, greek vs. non-greek is getting intense, and it all started when I went there. However, it is still possible to enjoy your college experience. I'm down with the place, and I'm proud to have gotten my degree from here. And to have had Madeline Albright as my graduation speaker. WHAT. UP. read more

Absolutely terrible. This school is overpriced for what it provides you: a mediocre liberal arts education. -Facilities are horribly outdated, some being masked by 'historical value' -Professors are self-absorbed, or just plain suck -Don't be fooled by the 'diversity' of classes, while there may be many subjects, the number of classes in each of them is pitifully small and limited. Want to major in computer science? Better take some African American history! -Some of the classrooms are nice, others are dark, cold and unproductive, kind of like the dorms. -90% of the living spaces are old, dark, unkept depressing and sometimes gross. -Galesburg is THE definition of a rural ghetto. Just looking at the town from campus can be unsettling, and the inhabitants can be pretty scary. -Did you think the food was good? It mustve been an open house day, because 99% of the time the food is bland and leaves a bad feeling in your gut. Not to mention the limiting single dining hall. So, if you don't value your life's savings and then some and you like your education outdated and un-stimulating, go to Knox. Or, save some money and go anywhere else, for that matter. read more

I love Knox. Knox Knox Knox. Also, I love Galesburg. Sure, no one has heard of the place, but that didn't stop me form relegating myself to that small portion of the world for 4 years. Like every liberal arts college, Knox has it's fair share of crazy professors and students who seem to have a limited view of the world, but that's pretty limited. I'd say living in Galesburg is about as real as it gets. Lots of issues, but lots of genuinely great people. It's your quintessential midwestern school and city. What a fabulous place to go to school. Everyone really does know your name... though, that can be a little scary too. Take your pick. :) read more

This is somewhat in response to Click C's cryptic statement... Not for grown-ups? Certainly, that's true-- the vast majority of students are 18-22. Were I not so far away, I would certainly return for these fancy graduation speakers they've been booking-- Obama, Colbert, & now, Bill Clinton. That's some excitement for sure. Indeed, as with all small liberal arts schools (all colleges, even?) the majority of the students are somewhat sheltered. Which one might prefer to a college of wisened thugs... Although, if you do crave wisened thugs, there is the penitentiary a mile or so away. A few students I knew volunteered there, so I guess you can escape the shelter that is college that way. That said, I would say that the average Knox student is less sheltered than those that attend other liberal arts schools. Definitely less wealthy. And most of the students are decisively midwestern--although there seemed to be an abundance of students from Seattle and Portland too. Anyway, I am, at the moment, a big nostalgic for the midwest. The image-obsession of LA can wear a girl down. Soo, I totally wouldn't have reviewed Knox, except for the 2 stars given by the prior reviewer! Hey! I can't let that fly... As is evident, I am fond of my alma mater. I give it 5 stars. read more

Knox makes living in a small, central Illinois town for 4 years worth it. Although it seems like no one's ever heard of it, the last three graduation speakers (Barack Obama, Stephen Colbert, Bill Clinton) attest to the fact that Knox isn't just your average small-town college. Not only did I get a fantastic education that prepared me for the "real word", but I got a college experience that meant something. My friends and I come back every year for Homecoming (six years straight!), we visit with our coach and his family, and I visit with professors. Even after so many years I feel connected to the community here, and that's something none of my friends who went to U of IL, Northwestern, etc have today. read more

I have a love hate relationship with this college. Sometimes I think, "why the hell am I here in this shitty town and small ass school? I need to get the hell out of here" Other times I think, "Man... I'm glad to be a student here. I have the coolest professors and great opportunities." Overall, I am glad I'm here even though I feel like i'm paying a lot. The education is great and met some awesome people. The experiences this school has provided me has been priceless. I only wish it was closer to Chicago or something. read more

yeah, what's click's deal? knox is fabulous, and going to knox was the best decision i ever made in my life. i made some really amazing friends there, both students and professors, and while i was there, i published two journal articles and traveled to germany to present my thesis. it's the kind of small, intimate campus where all the deans know you by name. when i decided to take off half my senior year to work for the howard dean campaign, i just called the dean of students and he said, "okay stef, we'll work something out." plus galesburg is pretty great in a kitschy, ex-railroading-town kind of way. lots of charmingly grungy bars - necessarily for a college town. long story short: knox rules. read more

I can honestly say that Knox changed my life. The science department their is top notch. From friday bisqu'ing at the local with cafe with professors to all-nighters in the chemistry annex (including eating the famous pizza vagina). My teachers pushed me to excel and to challenge the straight-and-narrow thinking. Without Knox I wouldn't be working on my PhD right now. read more

Knox College is a great college, however their college for kids is ridiculous......unorganized, poor communication and poorly ran! We started process 2 months ago to get 1st choice for our children, classes to start June 20th... on June 14th they send out an email stating issues of construction, buildings and instructors.They stated they had made major changes, however the day of classes was a nightmare! Check in was to be 8:00 am finally about 9:00 am task was complete, 1 of our children didn't get the classes we requested, again sent in and paid for (200.00$) 2 months in advance, so why did we hurry our reservation?? Picking up the children was one way on Monday then changed on Tuesday nothing sent out to indicate a change, just a grouchy security man standing south of the parking lot unclear in his motion of what to do, pylons every where why not use them. I can say we will not grace Knox College for kids in the future with our children's presence! read more