Rhodes College - Memphis, Tennessee

Aditya Biswas

I enjoyed my academic experience there. It wasn't terribly challenging or anything, but they offer a lot of interesting classes. I had a few really great professors that were very influential to me. And one thing I loved was the small classes (my gf had a 400 level class with 4 people in it once), and the fact that a lot of professors were very accessible outside of class.

On the other hand, the student body was very one-dimensional. I constantly felt like I was meeting the same person over and over again. The large majority of people at Rhodes come from similar socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds as well as have similar interests, values, and goals. Campus social life primarily revolves around Greek life. They tout that everyone finds their niche at Rhodes, but what really happens is you usually learn how to fit into the "Rhodes" niche. If you don't find yourself fitting into the Rhodes niche, don't worry. There are other people who feel the same way you do, and by junior year small pockets of people will emerge outside the Rhodes bubble that you might enjoy integrating into. However, this is a very small number of people, and you'd more than likely have enjoyed yourself better at a school that was actually diverse. Don't underestimate how important diversity is before you go to college.

Also the administration sucks and is useless.

Jyoti Milner

Rhodes College gives the appearance of a great campus with high security. While it has some excellent professors, the administration is very disappointing. They do not really care about the students, and diversity is definitely not encouraged or supported. There is also a big drug and alcohol problem on campus, and nothing is really done to address it.

Graham Butler

I would not give up my experiences at Rhodes for anything. I was fortunate to go on to do graduate work at Duke and a law degree from Washington & Lee. Rhodes prepared me. Wonderful college and people. Though these few reviews show differently, I have not known anyone who did not love the college.

Lauren Sefton

Great liberal arts experience in a fun city! Beautiful Gothic campus in the heart of Memphis, with excellent internship opportunities and professors who really care. I loved the Honor Code, the International Studies department and my study abroad opportunities.

Cecil Brown

Would not have changed my experience at Rhodes for anything else. Great school that fostered my personal growth. Lasting connections with Professors have meant the world to me in my professional career.

Tom Richardson

Graduated with distinction from Southwestern at Memphis in 1966, did graduate work at Peabody College (now part of Vanderbilt), held a faculty appointment there in 1972 and 1973. We HAD wonderful, caring, intellectually challenging, socially active professors who made no effort to foster racism. Recent hires seem to reflect a notable and significant change in the administration's attitude and values. No longer would I contribute to its endowment or recommend it to a future student. It WAS a great liberal arts college - not necessarily the case now! The 5 stars reflect "LOVED IT." I now find myself ashamed of my alma mater.

David Siu

As an alumni from the class of '12, I admit I have a love-hate relationship with Rhodes. While I appreciate the wonderful professors and people I have met, I am very disappointed with the Rhodes administration. Rhodes simply does not take diversity seriously. Racial / socio-economic / & sexual orientation discrimination is rampant on campus, yet Rhodes fails to properly address the problems.

Amazing and life altering professors are never recognized or granted tenure. And no reason is given (ex: Banerjee, Johnson, etc) Although I am truly thankful for my experiences at Rhodes and the doors it opened, I will never support Rhodes again until action is taken to make Rhodes a true liberal arts college that welcomes and embraces diversity. Emails sent to administration remain unanswered.

Prospective students, BEWARE, it's probably best to keep looking if you're a minority!

Ken Woodmansee

I have lived in Memphis my entire life and experienced first-hand the tremendous impact that Rhodes College has on the city. Rhodes students are involved in every aspect of the community and their contributions benefit Memphis in so many ways.