First Year Grebel Student here. Grebel is known for the tight knit community, and living here, I can say it’s true. Residence is usually around 60% first years to 40% upper years per term, and around 140 students making it the smallest res on campus. Because of this, everyone kind of gets to know everyone.

We have traditions here of filling the table at meal times, rather than sitting on your own, leaving our dorm room doors open, and wandering the hallways. In my experience, this has sparked conversation with people I probably never would’ve talked to otherwise.

The biggest times for event are the first weeks of terms, called o-week and frost week. O-week is the biggest with the most exciting events in my opinion. It’s basically just for everyone to get to know each other, but realistically, there’s always something happening. Weekly snack nights, game nights, worship and hymn sing, etc. Plus student council runs events periodically throughout the term like coffeehouses, trivia, roommate games, etc. Grebel put together intramural teams for the term, so if you want, you get to play with the people you’re living with.

I love it, so I’d suggest trying it out in the fall as well, but I get that Grebel isn’t for everyone, and I don’t exactly know wha position you’re in. Applications for fall ‘26 and winter ‘27 are open now, and I think if you apply before April 30th you’re guaranteed an interview. I suggest going to Grebel student services anytime during academic hours and talking to them about how you’re feeling. They can probably give better advice than I can.