<p>St. Olaf seems like a neat school, and I'm told the town of Northfield is "incredibly picturesque". And Minn/St. Paul is nearby, which is a big plus. I'm not at all religious and have rather liberal leanings. Has anyone spent much time with St. Olaf students? I really want to go to Macalester but don't think I can get in.</p>
<p>I have a friend who went to St. Olaf and he is religious but not in the way that is an affront to other people. He lives his life as he believes but he isn't fun killer if that is what you are asking.</p>
<p>It is a fairly conservative school. The town is nice- perhaps look at Carlton? It is a little stronger academically, and certainly more liberal. D went to music camp for 2 years at St. Olaf's and loved it, but wouldn't even consider it for college. She does have a friend (male) who is completely happy there, but he is from the town.</p>
<p>St. Olaf is more conservative than Carleton but it is certainly not on the level of Wake Forest or Baylor. It is a midwestern Lutheran school not a southern baptist one.</p>
<p>but you see Lutherans are split into two groups one being ultra conservative......hehehe</p>
<p>St. Olaf students seem to be liberal in some ways and conservative in others. It is definitely a religious school and it did hit the Princeton Review's "stone cold sober" list, but, in political terms, I have heard that it leans to the left.</p>
<p>we all know when we say liberal colleges we don't care about politics - we care about alcohol and random hooking up everywhere and frats. and the lack of any religion or any religion that has influence</p>
<p>My close friend ended up at St. Olaf and he loves it. However, he isn't religious at all...but he's doing just fine. There are many religious people, but I guess they aren't very "preachy" about it.</p>
<p>My D (not religious) has just been accepted at St. Olaf and is thrilled -- she has not done an overnight so we're not as informed as some others might be. However, our visit last year at this time (Junior Day) was notable because there was no mention of religion at all until a parent asked about it. The student panel responded that chapel was held daily but was not required and that you could be anything (including atheist) and be respected at St. Olaf. The campus is "dry" but so are many public institutions. There are 2 religion courses required but both are "academic" religion course much as you could find in any religion department at a college or university. I'm sure the student body is quite a bit more religious than a non-church school but as noted earlier, the atmosphere is politically moderate to slightly liberal, in my estimation. Highest proportion of Peace Corp placements, organic farming, sustainable environmental push, etc.</p>
<p>Our tour guide last year was a wonderful young lady with multiple piercings and an army coat... She also happened to be (American) Baptist and attended a congregation in town on a regular basis. The Lutheran group to which St. Olaf is attached (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) is the more progressive of the 2 groups. The Missouri Synod is very fundamentalist. </p>
<p>My take is that St. Olaf takes religion and their theology very seriously but they approach it in terms of behavior rather than words -- more walking and less talking... </p>
<p>Don't know if D will end up there but it's a wonderful place with room for many types of students. I would recommend visiting to see if it's a good fit. Hope this helps...</p>