<p>Hi! My name is Emily, and I'm a rising sophomore at St. Olaf. I'm currently a chemistry major with a Middle Eastern studies concentration. Feel free to ask me anything - financial aid, admissions process, campus life, academics, what I like or dont like about life on the Hill, etc. I also know plenty about the music department/entrance auditions, so ask away!</p>
<p>Hello! I had an amazing visit at St. Olaf over the summer that left me really interested in the school. Before I decide to definitely apply early decision, though, I had a couple of questions I was wondering about. </p>
<p>1) I know that the music program at St. Olaf is amazing and, from what I’ve heard, pretty popular. Although I enjoy music, it’s not a subject that I’ve ever become very involved. Are there many students who choose not to take part in the music department, or would I likely be out of place?</p>
<p>2) One of the things that appeals most to me about St. Olaf is the warm community that I’ve heard it offers. Would you mind telling me a bit about what the student and campus life is like? I’m a bit – okay, very much – on the shy side. Is it easy to meet people and become involved?</p>
<p>3) I’m planning to visit again some time in the fall… Would you recommend doing an overnight visit?</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your time!!</p>
<p>Hello Emily,
I visited St. Olaf this summer, and I really enjoyed my visit. The one thing I’m very curious about is the spiritual life at St. Olaf. I know they have chapel everyday, but how is faith implement in academics and social life? I’m looking for a college where my Christian values will not be in the minority. I know St. Olaf is not a “christian college.” Will my faith be strengthened by the professors and the students? I know these questions are hard to answer. Please answer as honestly as possible.</p>
<p>Thank you,
Mitchell</p>
<p>Figured I would add a little until Emily gets back on here (first weeks of classes are always insane). Background: I’m a female junior biology major and have education and family studies concentrations at St. Olaf.</p>
<p>To andromedatonks:
- Three of my four closest friends and I have nothing to do with music, and while we are in the minority, I don’t feel at all “left out” or anything. It’s just fun to go see my musical friends in concert and sit around (badly) singing while one plays the guitar or piano. Although many, many people have at least something to do with music, I don’t feel like it is a factor that separates people. I think of it just as something cool that adds to the awesomeness of many Oles.</p>
<p>2) The community is absolutely the thing that made me come to St. Olaf. I too was an extremely shy person; honestly, almost totally mute most of the time. Apparently several people thought I was cold/intimidating as a freshman because I never talked. I just didn’t know what to say! The first couple of weeks are tough because everyone is just getting a feel for what others are like, but I had constant company if I didn’t lock myself in my room because Oles are awesome and nice and want to be friends with you (for the most part).</p>
<p>Olaf makes it really easy to get involved. First years live together, so you’re all looking for friends together. There is an extra-curricular fair in the first week of classes where you can - and will - sign up for ALL THE EMAIL ALIASES!!! (Some examples: ukelele, magic the game, club sports, unauditioned musical groups, taiko drumming, publications, radio show, equestrian, all political groups, many religious/atheist/international groups, any volunteer anything you can think of, etc.) And still, as a junior, I am making new random friends among people who sit near me in class, have mutual friends, when I join new clubs… If you can imagine it, you can find someone else who loves it too and wants to have new friends to share in their passion. There are also no clear boundaries between class years; I know many sophomores and seniors, and I’m getting to know a few freshmen too in these first 12 days on campus.</p>
<p>One piece of advice that I have lived by at college with fairly good results is, and don’t take this too far, “In the beginning, always say yes.” Just get out and do stuff to find out who you like spending time with and what sorts of things you want your college experience to be about. This doesn’t mean saying yes to stuff like drugs/sex/alcohol/things you aren’t comfortable with; it means that it is much easier to become part of a group/make friends if the other person knows you are interested in spending time with them from the get-go, or else they may move on. Once you build a strong base for your friendship, then you can start saying you have homework/are tired and they’ll still stick with you. If you beg off games/meals/movies in the beginning though, it takes MUCH more work later in the semester to get very close friends. </p>
<p>Of course, PLEASE don’t do anything you aren’t comfortable with though; I’m talking about the dilemma you’ll face when you’re sitting in your comfy chair, have a bit of homework and want to stay in your comfort zone and ignore the confusion around you, but someone from down the hall comes by and asks if you want to play Apples to Apples…what do you do? My freshman roommate talked me into joining the game, and that’s where I was introduced to my best friend and roommate for the past two years. It was absolutely worth it for me, so it’s something to think about. Of course, it applies at any college, not just St. Olaf, but Olaf made it really easy for me because I always felt safe and like others had my same moral values, so I could say yes to random adventures (star tripping, midnight walk to town, taking pictures in the prairie at night, etc) with no fear. Of course, if you aren’t ready, don’t be miserable. My best friend is an absolute hermit and didn’t talk to anyone the first two weeks, yet she is perfectly content and has a small, steady group of friends/acquaintances.</p>
<p>3) YES YES YES overnight visits are amazing!!! I stayed overnight and it was the deciding factor for me to come here. I still talk to my overnight host and her friends, and…here’s my favorite story…the girl who gave me my campus tour in March REMEMBERED MY NAME AND INTERESTS when I saw her again in September! She spent 30 minutes with me, max, and she remembered for all that time, not knowing if I was going to attend or not. People here are awesome. Anyway, back to the overnight: my host took me out to play games with friends and (somewhat against the rules) took me to Applebees downtown, where we missed the last bus back to campus and had to call a taxi, where we all 5 piled on top of each other. I just had a great time and got a much more accurate picture of what campus life was like.</p>
<p>To Mitchell:
It is as Christian as you want it to be. I have some very, very strong Christian friends who use many avenues to explore their faith with people of all backgrounds. There is a bible study going on somewhere every day of the week, there are many Christian volunteer organizations, and many people are very open to discussing faith at any time. You will absolutely find ways to strengthen your faith, if that is all you want to do. That being said, your religion professors and fellow Oles will push you to examine what you believe in, why you believe in it, and will show you what other perspectives are out there. Religion will not be a topic of discussion in every class, but you are required to take at least two religion classes and many more are available. I would say professors are much more interested in pushing you to question/reevaluate than having the purpose of blindly strengthening your faith. I and many of my friends are agnostic/spiritual/who knows what, and we generally like discussing religion with the many Christians around, but to be honest, it isn’t a constant topic of conversation for many people that I know. Olaf isn’t outwardly extremely religious, but you can totally immerse yourself in the Christian part of the community if you so choose.</p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone had any info on the theater program. My S loves music and science, but also wants a thriving theater scene. He might even go for a BFA, and therefore StO would be out, but he still is considering BA programs where he could double major. Any insight would be great… everything about the school I think he would love.</p>