Saint Olaf Update

<p>Last year at this time my daughter was in the middle of her college search and a pile of schools were still in the mix. She ended up taking until the very last minute to decide because she was unsure if she wanted to go the liberal arts college route or go straight into engineering. In the end she decided she could always get the engineering part in grad school, but she couldn't get the full liberal arts experience if she chose the engineering school she was considering (Rose-Hulman). She chose Saint Olaf. Because I found the forums here helpful as we waded through that decision together, I thought I'd give back a bit and provide an update on her experience so far as a first year student. </p>

<p>My daughter could not be happier. I ask her about her classes, she says "They are great." I ask her about her professors, she says, "They are great." I ask her about dorm life, she says, "It's great." I ask her about the food, "It's great." Well, you get the point. My biggest concern when making the decision was that Saint Olaf's financial aid package wasn't as generous as at some of the other schools, but now I can say that it's been worth every penny. </p>

<p>I have been impressed with the tone of the campus each time we have been there. I wanted a school for her that had high standards, excellent instruction, and yet a caring atmosphere, and I feel like Saint Olaf has delivered. She met and made friends with other students on her floor who were much like her (similar interests and commitments). They study together, help each other, and have fun too. I appreciate the fact that Saint Olaf offers movies, concerts, and other activities to provide some fun for them.</p>

<p>One of the major appeals for my daughter was the Great Conversation program. She had already been reading some classic literature just for fun, and she wanted to have the chance to discuss those kinds of books with other students who also found them interesting. She has really enjoyed that experience. Her plan is to major in physics, but she also wants to feed that part of herself that's interested in the humanities, and she has received encouragement from all her profs that this can happen. She is going to check into the possibility of double-majoring in physics and classics. She's already been encouraged by her physics prof to apply for summer research opportunities, and she plans to do so. As a parent, I appreciate that kind of attention.</p>

<p>Knowing what we know now, if we had it to do over again, we'd make the same choice.</p>

<p>IowaDad, my S is a sophomore at St. Olaf, and I’ve never seen him happier! He has only good things to say about his professors, the other students, the campus, food,
activities, etc., and there’s no question that if he had it to do over again, he would make the same choice, in spite of the harsh winters. Though St. Olaf was a financial leap of faith for us too, it’s one we’ve never regretted. He has landed in a good place.</p>

<p>Thanks for the update, both of you. This is a school that S2 is seriously considering and it is very helpful to to know how well others are fitting in. The financial aid issue will be our biggest concern,it appears.</p>

<p>Hi, thanks for the update! I had a slightly similar process to your daughter last year, substituting international relations for engineering. I visited St.Olaf because they paid for my flight and I was really interested in Macalester. In a surprising twist, I ended up disliking Macalester, and absolutely falling in love with St.Olaf. But, I had a more affordable option and invitation to the Honors program at American University in Washington DC, so I made the difficult decision that that was the best option for my future. I ended up changing my major and realizing that a larger urban school is not the best setting for me. I realize that my heart has really always been in Northfield since that visit. As a result, I am applying to transfer to St.Olaf for the fall. My only concern is that in looking on the threads, I noticed quite a few negative posts on one called “Are St.Olaf students unhappy?”. I’m pretty sure there are a lot of trolls (or rather one) responsible for this, but it did bring up some concerns. Does your daughter find the admin to be very controlling/overly protective at all? What does she think of upperclassmen attitude- are juniors/seniors glad they chose their school? You seem like a very reputable (non ■■■■■) poster, so anything more you could tell me would be great since my head is swimming from that thread now…</p>

<p>Sorry for being so slow in responding. My daughter was totally satisfied at St. Olaf. She never expressed any unhappiness about the environment or the administration. She made great friends on her floor and they do many things together from going out on weekends to studying together in the dorm. If she had to make the choice over again, there is absolutely no doubt that she would choose St. Olaf again. </p>

<p>To update the update, with the encouragement of her St. Olaf science profs, she applied to, and was accepted into, a summer research program at the University of Chicago. She is just finishing that up now and has had a great experience. She was well prepared for what they expected of her. It’s nice to know that her St. Olaf experience helped open this door for her. </p>

@IowaDad a year later, still good? My DD has Olaf on her wish list. We loved the science programs. Am worried no one outside of Mn has heard of it.

St. Olaf is known outside of MN where it matters. I believe that its placement of graduates in medical school and graduate school is very high.

Definitely still good. Saint Olaf was a perfect match for my daughter (who is now a junior). She is double majoring in Physics and Latin (an odd combination to be sure, but she loves both). Last summer she had another REU science research opportunity and instead of going back to the University of Chicago (where she’d been the previous summer and was invited back) she chose the University of Wisconsin and had another amazing experience in astrophysics. I really appreciate the fact that her St. Olaf physics professors encouraged her to apply for these programs. They also supported her (along with other Oles) when she presented her research at a student conference in St. Louis, paying her way to fly there and for lodging and food, too.

She is also able to participate in the second-level band to keep her music interest going (and in handbells too). She does work hard and it sure sounds like the expectations by professors are high, but they are supportive and accessible. She was also able to find other students like herself who support each other in their academic pursuits studying together regularly, but also have fun together, too. She spent the January interim term of her sophomore year in Greece and plans to spend next spring in Scotland. I’m thrilled that she’s able to experience so many different opportunities.

I’m happy to answer any other specific questions you might have. If she had it to do over again, there is no question she would still choose St. Olaf. I am extremely confident they are setting her up for future success.

great news! and thank you for coming back to reply.