Applying to St. John's this year?

<p>Anyone else applying? :)</p>

<p>I am.</p>

<p>Are you applying to Annapolis or Santa Fe?</p>

<p>I'm visiting Annapolis in a few weeks.</p>

<p>I'm planning to apply to Annapolis but I think I'm going to visit the Santa Fe campus to get a feel for the environment of the school. </p>

<p>Are you applying to Annapolis since you're visiting there?</p>

<p>Yeah the environment at Annapolis seemed to suit me better in pictures.</p>

<p>Every time I've attempted to explain the school, I've received some rather perplexed looks. What about for you?</p>

<p>How are your essays coming along?</p>

<p>How'd you first learn about the school?</p>

<p>Sorry for the abundance of questions. I haven't really talked to anyone else that was applying there or even seemed interested in the school.</p>

<p>That's cool. The entire state of Maryland is beautiful, and since I'm from Arizona I'm pretty sure I don't want to go to Santa Fe...just since it seems like it would be too similar to where I'm from.</p>

<p>Well, I go to a small Christian private school, so our senior class is like 64 people. Me and another kid are both applying (he's a little more gung-ho than I am about it. :)) so he's told a lot of people about the school. Most people actually think it's really cool--two of my teachers absolutely LOVE the idea behind St. John's. They were ecstatic when I asked them to write my recs.</p>

<p>My essays are finished. They're like my magnum opus -- 10 pages. BUT! I think I accidentally submitted the wrong version of my essays online--I'm going to email them and ask if I can re-upload them. I'm kind of freaking out about it. I have an incomplete sentence in the one I uploaded. O_O</p>

<p>How are your essays coming?</p>

<p>I first learned about the school from the other person from my high school is applying. He mentioned it to me, and then I read about it in Colleges That Change Lives. I requested information, sent in the card that tells them "hey, I'm serious about applying" and I get mail from them like every single day! Don't you love it how they have the great books program and all their material is in the form of little books? :) It's so fitting! </p>

<p>Why did you decide to apply to St. John's?</p>

<p>The rep is visiting my school, so hopefully some people will come and think it's awesome and apply, too. :) I'm actually really excited to go to his presentation deal. :)</p>

<p>Are you applying to any other colleges, or is St. John's pretty much "it" for you?</p>

<p>My school seems to be completely opposite of yours. We have over 800 seniors. I've grown tired of being a number, which is partially the reason why I was attracted to St. John's. A large majority of my classmates are interested in large colleges, I think it may be because they never have been in a smaller classroom environment. I went to a magnet intermediate school that had only 100 kids, so I've felt out of place the past four years. The two teachers I discussed St. John's with also thought it sounded wonderful.</p>

<p>I have my essays done, but I'm waiting until I get back from my visit next weekend to turn them in. Mine are also ten pages. Well nine and a half of type, but ten actual sheets of paper. I really enjoyed writing them. I'm sorry about the incomplete sentence. I don't think they'd have a problem with you resubmitting them. They seem relatively laid back, compared to some of the larger admissions boards.</p>

<p>I do love how the information they send is all little booklets. I've actually saved all of them in a folder.</p>

<p>I decided to apply for numerous reasons. I was attracted to it before I even opened the first booklet they sent me. It had all of the "returning teachers" on the back cover. I love how the actual teachers are called "tutors" and the discussion based classes. I also like how the school is very personal and close-knit. Reading some of the greatest novels ever written is pretty enticing as well.</p>

<p>I cannot wait until next weekend. I've been reading The Republic for the seminar on thursday. The friday night lecture is actually a Baroque concert instead of their traditional lecture. I'm not sure if I'm excited about that or if I'd rather see a normal lecture. </p>

<p>If worst comes to worst, I have some other applications to send off. University of St. Thomas (Houston), New College in Florida, and St. Thomas Aquinas College in California, which also has the "Great Books" Curriculum. But St. John's is definitely "it" for me.</p>

<p>Wow, that's crazy how different our schools are! I can understand why you'd feel like a number in a school like that. At my high school, my principal knew my name before I met him--it was odd.</p>

<p>Yeah, I sent an email so -hopefully- I'll have a reply on Monday and they'll let me re-submit the essays. </p>

<p>I've saved all the booklets, too! Except when I got the first booklet (with the postcards inside) I cut some of the pictures into bookmarks. :P</p>

<p>Most people are absolutely mortified when I tell them I'm applying somewhere with fewer than 500 students. The kids at my school are tired of being somewhere so small and are looking for the big, university experience. I felt that way when I first started look at colleges--I wanted to live in a miniature city. :P Yet it seems we all grow wiser with age, I suppose.</p>

<p>Definitely let me know how your visit goes! I'd love to hear about the your experience and opinions on the school. :)</p>

<p>I'm applying to New College, too! Have you looked at Reed College or the University of Chicago? They're both known for having an intellectual student body and a ciriculum (I can never spell that word) that emphasizes great literature--actually, one of Chicago's presidents helped to create the Great Books program. :)</p>

<p>I assume you're aware that Thomas Aquinas in California is a Catholic college? Are you religious or simply indifferent to the school's denominational affiliation?</p>

<p>To add on to the differences of our schools, I haven't actually met my principal. So I doubt he knows my name.</p>

<p>I don't remember receiving the booklet with postcards inside. The first one I think I got had the New York Times article in it.</p>

<p>I've look at Reed and University of Chicago in the past, but due to my current school situation, it would be a long shot to be accepted. We have 60 people tied for #1 right now (maybe they don't see it's not challenging enough for all the students) and to be in the top half, you have to have a 3.1. I unfortunately have a 3.0 right now. Our classes have little time to discuss anything that we learn and concentrate more on getting better standardized test scores. Sorry if I appeared to be going on a mini tangent.</p>

<p>I had the chance to talk with a New College rep earlier in the week. He was in town for a college fair and also visited my college counselor's office (our school counselors aren't able to actually discuss future plans with students, so those that want an extra hand on the whole process have to hire someone). I actually got to ask him about the likelihood of someone with my numerical statistics getting in. Thankfully, he said there was still a chance depending upon my essays. I like how St John's relies almost solely upon the essays and letters of recommendation.</p>

<p>I totally didn't mean to put St. before Thomas Aquinas College. I specifically remembered that St. wasn't part of it's name but I still put it for some reason. I am aware that it is Catholic, but denominational affiliation isn't playing a key role in my decision.</p>

<p>I'll most likely be taking my computer with me, so perhaps I'll be posting my experience once I get there. I'll have something up Saturday night at the latest though.</p>

<p>Are you applying to Reed College or University of Chicago?</p>

<p>Thomas More College of the liberal arts is also a good great books option. Catholic affiliation.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.thomasmorecollege.edu/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.thomasmorecollege.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>^ There are only 92 students at Thomas More College of the Liberal Arts. O_O I don't know if I could handle that. :)</p>

<p>I don't know how long you've been considering St. John's, but I requested information early this year. Maybe they don't send out the booklet with postcards inside it. Actually, the post cards messed me up because I sent in the postcard to Santa Fe, but I'm applying to Annapolis. I think the campuses aren't very connected because I keep receiving mail from both places. :P</p>

<p>Hearing about your school makes me really grateful to be at the one I'm at. My school's guidance counselor met with every student individually to see how we're coming with the college search, and I've been in to talk to her several times about college options. I wish your school had people who could be there to help you guys in that way! It's sooo helpful. </p>

<p>Especially if your classes are really focused on standardized testing instead of...well...real learning. Most of my classes are largely discussion based--my English class has ten students in it, and my Government class has like 25, but it's still as much the teacher's responsibilty to teach as it is for students to help others to learn from their perspectives. That's really terribly to hear about the class rank situation. 60 people tied for #1 is nuts!</p>

<p>If you got into St. John's, is there any reason that you wouldn't go? Or is your attendance based on finances, family situations...or anything like that? Feel free not to answer if I'm being too personal. :P</p>

<p>Isn't Thomas Aquinas considered a Saint though? I always group him with St. Augustine who is, of course, a Saint, too. :)</p>

<p>Well I'm looking forward to hearing a full recount of your St. John's adventure! You should bring a camera and take pictures, too. -hint hint- :P</p>

<p>Yes, I'm applying to both Reed College and the University of Chicago! I'm also applying, as I said before, to New College of Florida and [possibly] to Whitman. I visited the latter over the summer and was less than impressed with the interview process--at Reed, my interviewer asked me to define consciousness, talk about a possible topic for my senior thesis, talk about why I loved Reed, what would make me feel passionate about something, etc. At Whitman, she asked me for my GPA, SATs, Class schedule, etc. It put me off. Plus the airhead who did the campus interview was a total frat boy (it was repulsive, IMO). Still, though, my interview went so well I would feel terrible if I wasted it. =\ I drove to Walla Walla! That's got to count for something. Haha.</p>

<p>I think Reed and Chicago are high matches/low reaches for me, though, because of my standardized test scores (I got a 700CR, but a 580M, LOL) and my class rank (I'm 11/64). Meh, we'll see. There are some things out of my hands...and this is officially one of them.</p>

<p>92 might be a BIT too small. I might actually consider looking into it though.</p>

<p>I starting receiving information from them sometime last year. Maybe January? I vaguely remember receiving some postcards, but it could be a figment of my imagination.</p>

<p>I had the opportunity to graduate early or go to a private school before my junior year, but I chose to stick it out. This might have been a good decision because I'm not sure if I would have heard about St. John's. I think the counselors at our school want to help, but realistically it's impossible. </p>

<p>I'm taking some dual credit classes at a local community college just to be in a different environment. At most college, the credit would transfer over (English, Macroeconomics, and US Govt) but as you know, it would not at St. John's. I signed up for the classes more for the alternative environment rather than the hours. I would kill to have classes like what you have explained.</p>

<p>I really cannot think of a reason I wouldn't go to St. John's. Unless something completely unexpected happened. It'd have to be extremely unforeseen. I hope nothing like that happens. That would not be very fun.</p>

<p>Now, I don't know much about the specific Saints, but from what I looked up in the Catholic Encyclopedia, St. Thomas Aquinas was a philosopher and is the patron of Catholic universities, colleges, and schools. I don't know much about St. Augustine but "his heart was in philosophy," says the Catholic Encyclopedia.</p>

<p>Our camera has sadly just passed, but I'll be sure to get some pictures somehow.</p>

<p>Your Whitman experience seems less than appealing. I think that process might make me feel like I was applying to my high school. Doesn't Walla Walla have some nice vineyards? I don't mean that as like I've been there and I thought so. I mean that in the sense as that's what I've heard.</p>

<p>I really have no clue how my SAT scores rank, aside from viewing the average scores per college on the College Board website. (590CR, 610M.) I'm contemplating retaking it because I didn't really prepare for it. I'm generally terrible at math and excel more in reading, so I was very confused after getting my scores back. Now that I think about it, the deadline for the December test is today...So I'll do that very soon. That test is so boring. And the test administrators are so...Robotic? Impersonal? Something along those lines.</p>

<p>The Rome Semester at Thomas More looks very interesting. I think I might have added another school onto my list...</p>

<p>I read about the Rome semester at Thomas More and...wow, it looks really fantastic. Coming from a school of 480 students (middle school + high school), I know almost every single high school student. It would be even odder knowing everyone in my college. :P</p>

<p>Yeah, that's something about St. John's that kind of makes me sad--I wish my AP credits would transfer. I spent SO MUCH time studying to get a 5 on the US History exam, it would be such a shame not to get credit (or even placement!) for it. Yet, I know, that wouldn't really make a difference at St. John's. </p>

<p>Just to update the essay fixing situation--the person I emailed helped me fix it! I'm sooo glad, too. :) Now I just need to wait for them to get my last teacher's recommendation.</p>

<p>Well, I'm a Christian and I go to a Christian school, so chances are I know more about theology and philosophy than many (if not most) high school students. Actually, I side with Augustine's view of man's nature. :P</p>

<p>Yeah, but Whitman is still a highly regarded college and I'm sure that I could find a way to challenge myself via my course selection. I plan to major in Classics or Philosophy, and Studio Art--so I'm sure that there are plenty of challenging courses in those majors...and yes, Walla Walla does have nice vineyards. The college is SURROUNDED by farmland. Alas, I'm not much of a wine-drinker so being in Walla Walla would do me no good.</p>

<p>Definitely study for the SAT. My math score actually went down 10 points (after loads of studying. O_O) but my CR score went from a 650 to a 700, and my reading score went up, too. It definitely makes a difference. I hate taking SATs, ACTs, etc. Actually, the ACT makes me look like I'm better at math than the SAT, so I'm sending the former to colleges. But whatever.</p>

<p>I hate taking standardized tests, too. AP Tests aren't that bad, though, because you take them with all your classmates. :)</p>

<p>This is probably my last reply until I get back from St. John's, but another thing about my school...</p>

<p>I did get to be with all of my classmates while taking AP US History test, but it was in the field house. And there were 400 kids. There were less people when I took the SAT!</p>

<p>There were only 10 for my AP Art History test, though. I think that was my favorite class last year just because it was such a (relatively) small class.</p>

<p>I'll probably have pictures up somewhere saturday night/sunday morning.</p>

<p>Happy Halloween! Oh joy..</p>

<p>Well, there's a trade-off: You had a huge number of people taking the AP US History test with you (which would suck) but your school actually offers AP Art History--mine doesn't. Probably because it's so small and I would be the only one who wanted to take it. :(</p>

<p>There are pros and cons of going to large and small schools. Such is life, I daresay. :)</p>

<p>Alright, well I hope your visit goes really well and you get some really rad material to add in your essays. :) And I hope you have a fantastic Halloween! I hope you spend yours doing something fun (I'll be doing math/ap gov homework :()</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>Sorry it took me so long to reply, I've been kind of busy with school work and the like. The visit was spectacular. I got to the school a few hours before all the other prospectives (we were supposed to get there around 3, I was dropped off around 1.) so I dropped off my bags and walked around the town for a little bit. I ate at some little Japanese place for lunch. </p>

<p>I got back to the admissions building at around 2:45, sat there while all the kids and parents were asking an admissions person questions. They were all questions that they would have already had the answers to if they looked into the school more, but oh well. I think there were 6 guys and 4 or 5 girls. Then we went on a mini tour. Small campus, as we already know.</p>

<p>I walked around the dorm for a little bit, meeting some of the freshmen. Two of the other prospectives kind of followed me while I was meeting people. It was kind of weird, but it was quite alright. Ate dinner after that. It was ok. I was hoping it to be better though.</p>

<p>We had seminar after that. The students discussed the 8th and 9th books of the Republic by Plato. There were a few kids that didn't want to give any others time to talk and a few that didn't say a single word. By saying a single word, I mean they said as much as I did during the discussion. And I wasn't even allowed to talk. After the seminar, everyone pretty much went back to their dorms. I hung out with the people in the dorm next to mine for a few hours. All of the kids are very welcoming.</p>

<p>On friday, I had Lab at 9:30 but I only got to stay for 30 minutes because I had an interview at 10:15. The interview went fairly well, and she seemed somewhat surprised that I was done with my essays.</p>

<p>Math tutorial was after that and I think it gave me the best look at the whole tutorial thing. (The tutor was the guy with the cool mustache in the booklets!) They would solve one of the theorems and try to carry it over into another shape. It's kind of hard to explain and I'm sorry I'm not doing very well.</p>

<p>After that, I went to the Greek tutorial. I was pretty much lost the whole time. They were translating a story.</p>

<p>I had a few friends from University of Maryland come down and we went to eat dinner. I was planning on going to the concert, but I ended up going to a water polo game at the Naval Academy. I ended up seeing three of my friends that I used to play with because there was a tournament going on. I ended up going to UMD to stay with my friends for the night. I told the security guard and he was very friendly. He asked if I planned on going next year and after I said yes, he said I took too long to respond. I thought that was kind of funny.</p>

<p>The trip overall was very autonomous. There wasn't anyone standing over you making sure you went to class or anything. </p>

<p>Did you get a letter from the school of them telling you after you sent in your letters or recommendation, school report, or essays? I got a letter that they received my letters and it was hand signed. I don't think most schools would do something like that, especially the large ones.</p>

<p>Again, I'm sorry it took so long to respond. I hope you had a wonderful weekend.</p>

<p>thanks so much for sharing about your st. john's overnighter.</p>

<p>i'm also going to apply to st. john's and uchicago (like golddust). i love st. john's but i'm a big hesitant about the size. my high school has 1200 people and i've been pretty happy with it. i don't know how i'd feel about everyone knowing everyone else's business. i just might go crazy. however, i absolutely love the academic atmosphere. so i'm applying from new york anyway.</p>

<p>everyone thinks i mean st johns university in the city when i mention that i'm applying to st. johns. i don't know anyone else in my school who's applying there. do you guys consider the college a safety, target, or reach?</p>

<p>From my point of view, St. John's doesn't really fit into those categories(safety, target, reach). At least for me. </p>

<p>From what I've read and heard from the admissions committee, they truly focus mainly on your essays, letters of recommendation, and what your counselor says about how you would fit into the school. I think the safety, target, reach applies mainly to schools that focus on your GPA, test scores, and class rank.</p>

<p>But if I had to pick, I'd say it was along the lines of target/reach. It's my top choice and I think my letters of recommendation and essays show that I would do well in an environment such as St. John's.</p>

<p>What other schools are you applying to?</p>

<p>Golddustwoman, have you gotten a response from admissions yet?</p>

<p>i guess the safety/target/reach categories don't apply to st johns as much. but since im confident about my essays and my numbers i think i've got a good shot. i just submitted my essays last night online. crossing my fingers now!</p>

<p>i'm also applying to more conventional schools like swarthmore, wellesley, yale, dartmouth, wheaton, williams, uchicago, and bowdoin. where else are you applying?</p>

<p>If I get accepted to St. John's (hopefully), I'm not applying anywhere else.</p>

<p>But if worst comes to worst, I'm applying to McDaniel College (MD), University of St. Thomas, University of Maryland, Goucher College, Southwestern, and New College of Florida.</p>

<p>I have to ask my counselor the status of my school report tomorrow.</p>

<p>Is St. John's one of your top choices?</p>

<p>If you have any questions about the campus, feel free to ask.</p>

<p>Anyone interested in applying to the school should visit <a href="http://stjohnsforum.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://stjohnsforum.com&lt;/a> to find out what the school is really like. Note that all posting on the site are open to anyone who visits--no need to register.</p>