<p>I've commented here before on these topics, but I just wanted to answer the question(s) posed by Terra-cotta Fren and SkyGirl. </p>
<p>I will be going to SJC in the fall and have had nothing but good experiences throughout the whole process. I truly believe the application process is not "hard" if you are a good fit for St. John's. It certainly is more extensive essay-wise than the typical application, although the basic information part is quite simple. I think I wrote three essays, although you may submit a fourth (correct me if I'm wrong). My essays were 12 pages altogether, double spaced (eek!). In a way it was easy to write them because you feel in your heart how much you want to go to this school, but the difficult part is putting these feelings into words. For me, it was sort of a soul-searching process. I hope it doesn't sound cheesy, but I started discovering things about myself and my personality that I wasn't aware of before I started writing. In short, the application process is unique because you feel the admissions office really wants to get to know you and the type of student you could be. It follows that the applicant needs to write genuine, heartfelt essays to give themselves the best chance to be accepted.</p>
<h2>I am fully aware almost all other colleges require applicants to write an essay, or maybe more than one, but I don't believe any college takes them quite as seriously as SJC.</h2>
<p>As far as financial aid goes, I don't consider my family to be poor, but I did qualify for SAT fee waivers and application waivers. The admissions office was really helpful and in the end I was awarded an extremely generous scholarship. Believe me when I tell you that I would NOT have been able to attend if I wouldn't have gotten the scholarship. </p>
<p>My advice is to apply, and see where to rest of the process takes you. Some people don't receive enough financial aid to attend and I can understand their position. Some say they are not generous with financial aid money, but obviously you don't know until you try.</p>
<p>Hope this "book" (ha ha) helped. Please ask me anything you want about my application process if you think it would help!</p>
<p>Megan</p>