About

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Academics

At St. John's College in Maryland, the "great books," or texts commonly viewed as the most important books in history, form the backbone of the unique curriculum. St. John's is a liberal arts college with two campuses that encourages exploration and dissection of original, foundational texts so that students may develop critical analysis skills within a "safe and prosperous learning environment." "The teaching of St. John's College is all about allowing individuals to collectively discover the essence of being a human being," sums up one student. Classes are pretty straightforward: "We read, and we talk about what we read." The curriculum includes obscure texts as well as the major classic players, and one of the greatest things about studying here is "engaging with difficult and renowned texts without worrying about impressing others or having to show off."

The "largely brilliant and caring" faculty members at St. John's are "some of the most wonderful and interesting people," and are "willing to meet for coffee or lunch to discuss essays, questions from class, concerns, and even non-program texts." They are "engaged and enthralled by the learning process at St. John's, just as the students are." The college has a unique evaluation system in place, so students at St. John's "are faced with reports not just on their academic success, but also on the way that they treat and interact with their peers, via classroom dynamic." The college has made academic rigor an "overwhelmingly social issue," and the "'too cool for school' attitude is not socially rewarded" here. Not only do students discuss the same works and questions, "they do so in a respectful, tactful manner." In any classroom "you get the sense of togetherness" where everyone listens and "no one's points are any more or less important to the discussion than any other's."

Student Body

The student body at St. John's is "intellectual, but far from pretentious," and given that all students go through the same academic program "there is a strong and warm sense of camaraderie." Upper-level students "couldn't care less that you're a freshmen," and people "who would have never become friends anywhere else are able to come together here and form bonds that start in the classroom but continue into life outside the academics." The curiosity students develop here extends to outside the program as well, so while the program at St. John's is classically oriented, students at the college "are aware of pop culture, current events, and politics." The bubble at St. John's is "real, but in no way impenetrable."

Campus Life

There are "no two Johnnies that are alike" and students at St. John's display a wide range of interests. Most participate in "a study group of some sort, at least one artistic extracurricular, and an intramural sport." St. John's "robust intramural program" is a major component of campus social life, and creates a "fantastic" community in which students are alphabetically sorted onto teams "where anyone can participate in various seasonal sports." "Although I have never been athletic, this is a very welcoming group regardless of ability, and playing intramural sports here has given me a lot of confidence," says one student. A large amount of extracurricular time is spent studying and reading, but there are also "very many popular club options," including "swing dance lessons, fencing, the croquet team, student play productions, orchestra, various choral groups, community service, [and the] environmental club." St. John's also offers students spots in classes run by non-faculty members of the Annapolis community, including "writing classes, poetry, watercolor, and sculpture." Off campus, people often go out to eat at many of the great restaurants in Annapolis, or head to the museums and monuments in Washington, D.C., which is "just a short train ride away." Students can also transfer between the Annapolis or the Santa Fe campuses, and many in Maryland spend a year studying in New Mexico.

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Brittany Kemmer
Visit Program & Summer Academy Coordinator

Address
St John's College
60 College Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone
410-626-2522

Email
Annapolis.Admissions@sjc.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
McDowell Hall (classrooms, Great Hall, and coffee shop)
The Quad
Iglehart Hall (gymnasium)
College Creek (boathouse and lawns)
Greenfield Library
The entire campus is a registered national landmark.

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Annapolis Historic District
Chesapeake Bay and Severn River
City Dock and Harbor
Thanks to the efforts of the Historic Annapolis Foundation, the downtown area of Annapolis (where the campus is located) is both a beautifully preserved historic district with gorgeous eighteenth century architecture and a bustling modern town.

Campus Tours

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: AM/PM Visits Mon-Fri, overnights Mon & Thurs, Sat Tours
Average Length: 2 hours

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
Monday - Friday, Occasional Saturdays

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Advance Notice
2 weeks

Contact Email Address for Visit
Annapolis.Admissions@sjc.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Limitations
Monday to Tuesday or Thursday to Friday during academic year

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Baltimore-Washington International Airport is a 30-min. drive from the college. Ground transportation to Annapolis is available with shuttle services. There is an Amtrak station at BWI as well; take a free shuttle bus to the airport and then pick up a shuttle service.

Driving Instructions to Campus
Take Route 50 east from Washington. From Baltimore take I-97, which feeds into Route 50 near Annapolis. After arriving in Annapolis, follow the signs for the Naval Academy, or enter 60 College Avenue in your GPS. The campus is located on King George Street across from the US Naval Academy; parking is available on campus.

Local Accommodations
The Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, at 80 Compromise St., is 10 minutes by car from the campus and is priced in the $200+ range per night (410-268-7555). The Loews Annapolis Hotel, at 126 West St., is a 10-min drive form the campus, and also is priced in the $200+ range per night (410-263-7777). Historic Inns of Annapolis, located at 58 State Circle, are three restored inns that operate as one. All are a 10-min. walk from campus, and are priced in the $200+ range per night. (410-263-2641) There are many bed-and-breakfast houses within a few blocks of campus. One of the most historic and moderately priced is Gibson's Lodgings.

Admissions

Applicants: 1,059
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average HS GPA: 3.58






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