<p>I am seriously considering applying to St. John's next fall and would like to hear from or about any students there in their late 20's. I'll be 27 the September I start. While I was at Clemson (didn't graduate) older students were generally ignored by everyone but the faculty and that was probably because they were the only ones actually trying to learn. I'm very excited about the school and wish I had discovered it before I decided to extend and deploy again as I feel like I could have gotten in this fall and start in eight months instead of 20. Also, who did you use for recommendations? I just sent a very long email to the admissions folks and one of my questions was whether they would rather have them from teachers I haven't seen in almost a decade or current bosses who could certainly say I'm intelligent but have no experience with my academic abilities. Everywhere else I am applying to is a maritime academy so no worries on who to ask there.
Thanks</p>
<p>Hey sailin84- sorry for the delayed response.</p>
<p>I myself don’t fit your qualifications for late-20s students since I enrolled in SJC straight out of HS, but I can tell you what I’ve learned empirically.
I have a number of friends who are no longer in their early 20’s, and they’ve all done fine. Honestly, how you find it depends on what you do. I have a classmate who is 31 (sophomore) and lives alone off-campus. We don’t ignore her by any means, but she’s not around in the same way, and so she participates less. That being said, I have friends who are in their late 20s who live on campus, or right near campus with other Johnnies, who want to be a part of campus life and they absolutely are. </p>
<p>Also, plenty students find themselves taking a year off at some point- we have a re-admit to my class this year who’s 25, and started St. John’s at 21. </p>
<p>We’re ALL here to learn.
I can’t speak for the admissions office, but I can try answer any other questions you may have…</p>
<p>Did what I said help?
Hanah</p>
<p>Thanks Hannah,</p>
<p>That’s very nice to know. Its nice to have peers who are somewhat close in age but it matters a lot less once you pass 24 or so it matters a lot less. I’m visiting next month and really looking forward to it. I finally finished my essays off this weekend and am about to submit them online! Hopefully, my references are on the ball because I asked them a couple weeks ago. </p>
<p>Thanks again</p>
<p>Good Luck!
You can email or call the admissions office and ask them to confirm that they’ve received everything…</p>
<p>Yeah, I know actual age matters less, but I wanted to reassure you as best as I could.
Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help!</p>
<p>Did you interview? The couple I have done at maritime academies were pretty formal and I wore my dress uniform. I get the vibe that it wouldn’t be a very formal interview and something more comfortable would be appropriate. I asked the admissions folks if an interview was a plus and got an ambiguous answer saying it wasn’t required but I was welcome to come interview etc. etc. I’m used to the Army which is pretty good about laying out hard and fast requirements. I’m going to have to get used to a more casual atmosphere.</p>
<p>I did an overnight as a prospective student, and an interview is part of that.
The interview is mainly to give you a safe space to ask your questions. Most of our interviews are one-on-one meetings with a tutor, and they can be really informational.</p>
<p>They aren’t for the purpose of boosting your application, though. </p>
<p>I wore the same jeans that I’d worn all day. Totally not out of place.
St. John’s is wayyy more casual than the USNA, for example. Way more.
At least, in our dress and activities.
In class, obviously, everyone is referred to as Mr./Ms.</p>
<p>Ok Thanks. I was wondering if it affected admissions at all but apparently not. More of an info session than interview then? Heard back on Monday that they had finally received all of my stuff so I hope I hear back from them before I head up there next week. I’m really pumped to visit and hope the weather clears up!</p>
<p>It’s more of a conversation than an interview.
It usually takes about two weeks to hear back, depending on volume of applications received.</p>
<p>Good Luck! And happy visits :)</p>
<p>Just got the letter and I got in!!! I visited last weekend and really loved the school. Are you the same hannah who gave me the tour?</p>
<p>Sure seems that way :)</p>
<p>Well, you did a great job. Maybe I’ll see you next fall.</p>
<p>Glad to hear you were accepted sailin84!</p>
<p>Thanks Megalosuchos!</p>