<p>Does anyone here know anything about St. John's College? It is a very interesting school with less than 500 students and only awards a B.A. in Liberal Arts. The curriculum is also very peculiar in that the students study all of the great books my the Greek philosophers and others. This "Great Books" theme is at the heart of the school. I was thinking of actually applying there considering the uniqueness of the program. You can even go there after your first semester of senior year for the January 20th term, if you would like. I am not sure if this is something I would like to do, however. Their financial aid doesn't look very attractive either. So, do any of you know anyone attending St. John's or who has graduated from there with stories to tell? Thanks!</p>
<p>Bump! (10 char)</p>
<p>I know two adults (both in the 40's now) who went there for college. Actually met there & got married. They both said it was a fantastic experience intellectually. I have a sense that the curriculum hasn't changed much, if at all, in the last 20+ years. You have to tolerate the idea of no electives and a very small college community. The universal dictum: "fit" is what matters. I only wish that I had known about it, when I was applying to college (30+ years ago!). </p>
<p>My own DS was attracted to the curriculum last year, when applying to colleges. However, he was adamantly opposed to learning two years of Greek and two years of French (with the latter being more distasteful, for some reason). He did not apply. Ended up at the UChicago, where he is quite happy. </p>
<p>At a college fair last year, I vividly recall meeting the rep from St. John's who talked about how he had to take remedial math courses before they would accept him into the school. After graduating St John's, he went on to earn a PhD in Physics. That's undoubtedly a story worth telling.</p>
<p>Yes, fit is a big factor here to consider. I don't mind having the mandatory two years of Greek then two years of French, despite my background is in German. I will have to really ponder on this school. St. John's is a very big departure from the norm. </p>
<p>It's odd he had to take remedial math courses to get into the school; it doesn't seem like they put much emphasis on math, considering their curriculum. Although they do have you go through math all four years, but the math isn't textbook math.</p>
<p>My sister goes to the campus in Annapolis, MD and she seems to love it. Right now she is in her junior year(which she says has been the toughest so far.) Students are not given any grades but rather have meetings called Don Rags at the end of each semester with there professors (actually they are called Tutors.) She also says that at the end of Freshman year you can be asked to not come back the next year, but this really only happens to those student who don't participate and whatnot. After this stage I don't think that the college can ask you to leave. If you are really into literature and like to talk about it then I'm sure you'd fit in well here. Classroom settings are small and Tutors are there to spark a discussion leaving the class to discuss. I've visited my sister twice and stayed with her in her dorm for about a week at a time. Campus life seems really fun, I am nothing like my sister and I enjoyed my time here and met some really unique (but awesome) people. AND if you plan to go to Annapolis it is BEAUTIFUL, everything is in walking distance from the college. I hear the santa fe campus is nice too, but I've never been there. Thats all I really have...if you have any other questions I could as my sister for you.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the information! Very helpful!</p>
<p>My friend's son goes to the Annapolis campus. they have been delighted with his experience there. there were personal medical problems that occurred, and the dean of students was extremely helpful in working with parents and son. They have only good things to say about the school.</p>
<p>Not to steal you're topic but...</p>
<p>How's the one in New York?</p>
<p>We are talking about St. John's COLLEGE! Not St. John's UNIVERSITY! If you would like to talk about St. John's UNIVERSITY, start a new thread. St. John's COLLEGE is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill school; it is a special school.</p>
<p>St. John's College. Okay.</p>
<p>Well, keep in mind that this is just MY experience, and of course does not reflect on how EVERYONE would do there.</p>
<p>I did a two night visit and found the students to be a little less than impressive. The people I met were very sheltered, and so eager to impress the prospies that they talked themselves to death. The school itself is lovely, but tiny. I'm hoping to be an English major, and I'm a total homebody, and I never party or anything, but the school was too removed from the world and too self-aware even for someone as introverted as me.</p>
<p>No one I talked to had seen any recently released movies, even the quality films likely to win awards and things (that could possibly make someone just as well-rounded a person as the teachings of Socrates? i don't know.), and they called Annapolis the city "that dies at 9:30". As in, there was nothing to do.</p>
<p>I would just be wary and absolutely, no question, no matter who you are, VISIT BEFORE YOU APPLY. I thought it was my first choice, being addicted to reading and pretty anti-social, but this place takes concentration to the EXTREME. I felt like I wanted to spend four years expanding my horizons and learning about lots of different things during my undergrad education, and St. John's seemed to offer the opposite.</p>
<p>Keep in mind I use the word SEEMED. I don't mean to offend anyone, I'm just trying to be honest about how I felt during the short time I spent visiting.</p>
<p>Bottom line: VISIT ASAP. Decide only after you've experienced it.</p>
<p>Yes, there is no way I could commit to the school without visiting; however, due to financial reasons, I cannot visit either campus. I consider myself a book nerd, but to the extent that you describe? No way. Thanks a ton for the insight!</p>
<p>Alright Slight-Anarchist, I'll give you a rundown about what I know about St. John's College since it's right down the street.</p>
<p>Its relationship with the Naval Academy is seen as "Athens vs. Sparta" (Obviously we're Sparta). There is a huge amount of tradition between the two schools. Every year, there is an imperial wickets competition- a croquet match between the schools sometime in April. Additionally, the Socratic Society from the Naval Academy often debates with the "Johnnies" of St. Johns on various topics in philosophy and ethics including Plato, Bentham, Kant, and others. It's interesting to hear prospectives from the mostly conservative midshipmen and the neo-liberal Johnnies. Chess matches between the two schools switch sides annaully too. St. John's has beaten USNA the past two years.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, St. John's is a very intellectual environment as mentioned in the other posts. Walking by their campus on a Saturday, you'll see many students tossing a frisbee or just sitting on the grass reading a book. It seems very peaceful...which is intriguing to most students at the Naval Academy because St. John's couldn't be more different, and the two schools are less than a half mile away.</p>
<p>Just my perspective.</p>
<p>St John's College is very self-selective-- only those who want to read and read and read, and discuss, and be graded very subjectively (they do grade A-F for grad school app purposes) need apply. B/c it is self-selective it is not hard to get accepted, but be forewarned unless you like a super-charge intellectual atmosphere w/ no sports to cheer for and on avg quirky students (more mainstream at the Sante Fe campus) it is not for the faint-of-heart. I did the graduate program in Annapolis and found it as frustrating as rewarding, but in the end you do learn and have completed a curriculum that few others will ever dream (or nightmare) of doing...</p>
I’ve been admitted and I plan on going to St John’s come the fall. However, I can’t seem to find any information about what I will need in the dorms. What is the bed size? What all is in the room? What is the internet situation? I know some schools it needs to be bought privately. Just any information that someone could give me would be great!