<p>Hello everybody, thank you for taking time out of your day to help me! I was just wondering if any if you have heard/experienced anything about gustavus adolphus and st olaf colleges in Minnesota? These are my top two schools, and have both given me about the same amount of finantial aid, so it is coming down to which I like better. Just wondering if anyone has any information on their social life, general student body personality, and English and Sociology/Anthropology majors? Any information is greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!</p>
<p>You have already applied and been admitted for 2014?</p>
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<p>I’ve known several people who’ve gone to st Olaf, but don’t know anything about GA.</p>
<p>Both great but GA seems a little more fun loving. Swedish Lutherans as opposed to Norwegian Lutherans. SO is a little bit closer or at least easier to drive to urban events if that is important to you. SO has more students outside of the upper Midwest.</p>
<p>The ED deadline for SO is in November. [url=<a href=“http://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/apply/]Apply[/url”>Apply – Admissions]Apply[/url</a>] How can you have an FA offer already?</p>
<p>Alot of good 'ole rivalry between the two. I would say they are very similar and agree St. Olaf has a slightly larger percentage of students from outside Minnesota/Iowa/Wisconsin area. Also agree that if trips to the Twin Cities are desired, St. Olaf is a longer drive. Pick the one you like better…</p>
<p>Gustavus and St. Olaf have totally different vibes. Our family thought St Olaf was a bit more academically and socially serious/competitive while Gustavus is a little more laid back. Northfield is a delightful and quaint town but is a bit of a drive to downtown St Paul or MPLS. Gustavus kids usually head to Mankato for town or to Mankato campus for bigger social events but St Peter is also a cute little town. I also think Gustavus is a bit more liberal. The drive from Northfield to MPLS is about 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. St Peter to MPLS is about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes. Not much of a difference if you have access to a car. St Olaf has a bit of a “preppy” feel. The music program at St. Olaf is fabulous. The chapel at Gustavus is stunning! Both are highly ranked for their food service.</p>
<p>I agree with the others regarding the student vibe of each campus. Northfield has a larger population of 20K than St. Peter’s 11K if that is important to you. It may mean more to do in Northfield than St. Peter. </p>
<p>Although SO students seemed more reserved, SO provides more student organizations and clubs of interest to my very liberal D, including an active JSO (Jewish Student Organization), where GA does not. Oh, and she thought the food tasted better at SO than at GA with SO providing more vegan options.</p>
<p>Overall, StOlaf is stronger academically. The level isn’t really comparable because the students are much better in terms of overall rigor of preparation, even though GA isn’t shabby by any means - at GA the majority are bright, hard working kids. They’ve got an excellent soccer team and, as you surely know, a LOT of students are into music. It’s also rather liberal. So it depends on whether you’re driven or laid back, and what activities you’re really into.</p>
<p>Are you athlete? That’s the only reason I can see that you might be “admitted” already.</p>