<p>What do you think of it? Is it worth picking this college over a top 20 LAC?The high admissions rate and low amount of top 10% students that go there turn me off. However, the general curriculum makes me think that it could be worth it.</p>
<p>Is St. John's a feeder school for grad schools?</p>
<p>St. Johns is very well respected and does well in grad school placements. It also does quite well in transferring students to top LACs.</p>
<p>The more important issue is whether or not the style of learning and the incredibly small size of the college appeals to you. Each St. John's campus graduates fewer than 100 kids per year.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that St. John's does not participate in the whole rankings system and thus gets low marks. I imagine you'd get a very unique and varied education at the college. You'd learn so many things from reading those books. It's a tad expensive, though, and as far as I've heard, not a lot of aid is given.</p>
<p>It's a good school; the teaching style just isn't for me, and if you want to study something in depth, I'd go to a traditional college.</p>
<p>I sent my SIR to St John's college adn visited a few weeks ago. A lot of the people i talked to are extremely smart, but in a way that isn't 'grade-whorish.' In general, the student body is quite nice, a little eccentric but not as much as, say, Reed. A LOT of St. John's students go to UChicago Grad schools, as the schools are strongly affiliated. I am currently undecided about if i'm going or not, because i just got into reed college, but i am considering choosing st john's over reed. All of the aid is need based, which sort of sucks because i didnt receive any and it does cost a LITTLE more than some other private schools. you can't study abroad, because the credits wont transfer to st john's but many take a year off to travel. </p>
<p>maybe some negatives to consider: though the student body is really nice in general, they are slightly more..conservative. whoa, now that i said that, let me explain- i live in california and i'm really comparing the maryland environment to california, berkeley, and reed. so..like i said, comparing to extremely liberal schools.</p>
<p>the curriculum might not be for everybody, so you have to really like it. a lof of the grading is based on participation, and speaking up in classes.</p>
<p>it's realyl small. 550 kids. the dorms are bigger than some but not palaces (though quite cute.) there's only one dining hall, but if you choose to go to annapolis, downtown is about a 5 minutes walk away and thats chock full of food, especially if you like sea food. </p>
<p>the teaching is like..really limited. i sometimes wonder if its worth the money you spend in it- the teachers are extremely brilliant, and since they are well versed in all subjects, it seems like a continuous conversation which is great. yet, the teachers really do not take a strong stance in the room, which is good or bad depending on your tastes.</p>
<p>yet, every single person i met absolutely LOVED it there. comparing it to reed, its a little less extreme, in general more laid back but hard work. you dont get a choice in your classes, but you do choose some books you read. the don rags and orals apparently aren't as hardcore as they seem, ive heard.</p>
<p>it would be a great place to attend if its your sort of school =) the admin is really really nice and available.</p>
<p>Yeah, Reed is an awsome school, but being stressed out constantly about school work does not sound like something I will look back on in my old age and say, "Wow, college was amazing." As you said, St. John's is more laid back, yet still does challege students, intellectually. Also, Portland is quite depressing during most of the year and by the time summer (the beautiful season of weather in the northwest) comes around, it's time to go back home. Annapolis is beautiful from what I have heard (and Santa Fe as well). I can understand why you are torn between the two.</p>
<p>Also, St. John's is a small school, but both of the campus locations are in small cities. It is not as if a St. John's student is stuck in the middle of Ohio with 550 people.</p>
<p>I like the college style a lot, but I was not sure if it had a very good reputation. Thank you for answering my quesitons.</p>