<p>greg60r, I think I can answer some of your questions (graduated from St Olaf many years ago, and my daughter is considering it as well).</p>
<p>Religious affiliation: It is Lutheran, of course, but more secular students feel perfectly comfortable.</p>
<p>Alcohol policy: It does have policy prohibiting alcohol on campus and at college-sponsored events. Some students drink (usually off campus) and others do not. There is a disciplinary process, but it seems to be reasonable. Frankly, it is a big plus in my book that the social scene at St. Olaf does not revolve around drinking.</p>
<p>Social sciences: The social sciences at St. Olaf is not as well-known as the math, music, and science departments, but I think it is good. They are not heavily politicized like many social science departments around the country. I graduated many years ago with majors in history and political science before going on to law school.</p>
<p>Religion/religious studies major: Would almost certainly focus on religion in general, rather than Christianity or Lutheranism in particular. St. Olaf is one of the top producers of Ph.Ds in religion in the country among baccalaureate institutions.</p>
<p>Campus: Yes, it is beautiful!</p>
<p>St. Olaf has increased its geographic diversity in recent years. Less than half of the students are from Minnesota.</p>
<p>St. Olaf doesn’t have a specific creative writing major. Our English major mainly focuses on literature; however, there are some creative writing classes. The English department offers an introductory creative writing class that is now a prerequisite for intermediate and advanced classes (new policy for the upcoming school year), along with classes on writing poetry, journalistic writing, and fiction and creative non-fiction. I can’t tell you a lot because I’ll just be taking my first creative writing course this fall, but those are the specific course offerings. And I actually don’t know much about the art department, just that there are a few professors who are very well liked among majors and non-majors alike.</p>
<p>HI
My daughter is interested in theatre at St. Olaf. Can you tell me something about the caliber of the program? Good technical classes in acting, etc and how many opportunities to perform? I know they have a great music program but not as sure about the theatre?
THanks !</p>
<p>When we were there visiting we saw a student production of circle mirror transformation and really enjoyed it and thought it was great. It was well attended on a Friday night in a smallish theater in the round setting. Also - as a parent visiting we heard a presentation from one of the theater professors who also is a working director in the Twin Cities. He seemed great and very devoted to his students. He said he uses some as interns in his professional productions. He likes the way St. Olaf theater students have great sense of context from their core classes - especially the Conversations class - that they can apply to have a deeper appreciation of the theater productions they do. Perhaps a student can add to this - but I thought everything I saw indicated it would be a fine program - and one that non-majors can also participate in.</p>
<p>I’m a Norwegian girl that is currently at a scholarship-based international school (UWC-USA) that has 80 countries represented by 200 students. Yes, I’m aware that it sounds crazy, but I really enjoy it, and I’ll be graduating in May '13.
Anyhow, I’ve been looking at St Olaf because as a Norwegian I might be able to get a scholarship there (not financial aid), and I really like the Music department the college has. However, I’m a bit worried about living so rurally and in a Scandinavian-dominated area. How much does the ethnography of the area affect it? And how is the diversity at the college?
Also, if anyone could tell me more about Voice studies and performance opportunities at St Olaf, I’d be more than happy!</p>
<p>So I got off of the waitlist at Claremont McKenna, and I need to send my deposit to them by Friday (as in tomorrow) if I decide to go, and therefore it would be greatly appreciated if you all could reply to this as soon as possible!</p>
<p>I am having the most difficult time trying to decide where to go to school - Claremont McKenna or St. Olaf. I have already sent my deposit to St. Olaf.</p>
<p>I am planning on attending medical school after college, and I am a very hardworking student. My parents have saved up some money for college, but if I was to attend CMC then this money would be exhausted before I attended medical school. Also, I hope to attend UW medical school in particular, simply because it would be the cheapest medical school option for me.</p>
<p>I received a scholarship for $26,000 a year from St. Olaf, in merit money, but I didn’t receive anything from CMC.</p>
<p>Obviously CMC is ranked higher, and they have a higher medical school acceptance rate. But obviously it would be a lot more expensive to go there. With regard to all other factors, such as how I felt when I visited the campuses and how well I liked the schools in general, the two schools could not be more equal (which I know sounds strange since they are quite different). So although very true, that “just go where you feel best” college advice is not going to be of much help to me.</p>
<p>I just really have no idea what to do right now, but thank you in advance for your help!</p>
<p>@morvoren
Congratulations to your son on getting accepted to both Bard and St. Olaf.
I will attending STO in the fall. However, I also live in NYC and attend Bard College’s early college program. When it comes to academics between the two schools, I found them to be relatively similar based on doing research I have done about STO. For example, the seminars we did in BHSEC (they also do a similar seminar classes at Bard College) are similar to that of St. Olaf’s Great Con. They both have relatively new science/math buildings as well!</p>
<p>While attending to their early college program, I learned a lot of Bard College itself, so I can tell you the pros and cons of Bard and you can compare it to what someone else says.</p>
<p>Pro:
Challenging curriculum.
Workshops before the academic year starts. (Mixed reviews about this. some people like it, some hate it. So it can also be a con)
Very large hipster population.
Awesome science building.
Friendly atmosphere as well. (Obviously I have visited)
Uses the tuition money to make a difference in the world. They fund different initiatives in places like Burma (currently being set up), Palestine, New Orleans, NYC, California, Simon’s Rock, etc. They go to places and give people a liberal arts education that challenges them mentally. </p>
<p>Cons:
Too large of a hipster population. Too one sided atmosphere is pretty boring, imo.
In the middle of nowhere.
Food not as great as STO.</p>
<p>That is all I can think of right now. I can says some positive things about STO as well, but you can read it from other people in this thread. Both STO and Bard have their pros and cons, but overall, I find them similar to each other. If you have any questions when comparing the two schools, I can definitely help if you PM me. Again, congratulations to your son’s acceptance to both schools.</p>