I am a senior in high school who is now faced with her college decision. I was accepted at University of Indiana Bloomington, Agnes Scott College, Beloit College, and St. John's College at Santa Fe. St. John's is my first choice, but my mother would also like me to apply to Shimer College. Looking at their curriculum, it appears that theirs isn't as rigorous as that of the St. John's program. I admit that I haven't visited it, and so I'm not very qualified to comment on that. Does anyone know what Shimer is like? Does anybody have any preference for one of the colleges I listed, and if so, why? I also know that Shimer will be included in the upcoming ISI book All-American Colleges; does anyone know why it merits the distinction, and whether I should consider it for that reason?
Well, I do not know anything about Shimer college, but I was taught in high school by two St. John's graduates. I can tell you that their intellectual preparation was excellent, and they were the most inspiring teachers in my high school. It is clear that St. John's Great Books curriculum affects people in a deep way, as I noticed in these two graduates. Their lives centered around philosophy, literature, theology, and any discipline they could get their hands on; to me, they seemed the embodiment of the philosophical life at its best. Again, I do not know how good Shimer college is, but I think that if you go to St. John's, you will be transformed and be in the exclusive elite that has a good grasp of the Western tradition, which most of us do not possess.
I have a preference for St. John's among your list of colleges, most of which I don't even know. St. John's great books curriculum is, I believe, reputed to be very rigorous among the academic sphere. However, it isn't very well known to the general public. It's on my list of colleges to apply to this fall. I absolutely love the program and I know that were I study there I would get an education that's on par with and maybe even surpasses those of more well known colleges or universities. The school has a lot going for it but I often wonder how I would fare in a student body (as well as the faculty) that's predominantly liberal or agnostic/atheist. Maybe you've visited the campuses and have got a much better feel for the school. I hope that's the case and please feel free to share your comments on the school. I've been looking for someone to talk to about it. Good luck with your decision.
I haven't visited St. John's yet, I'm afraid. I'm hoping to soon. I talked to this woman for information about it: http://aetaylor1.43people.com/. She went to the Annapolis campus, if that makes a difference to you, and she would know a lot more about the atmosphere and such than I currently do.
If it's a religious school you're looking for, may I suggest to you Thomas Aquinas College in California? It's a Great Books school based on and very similar to St. John's but is affiliated with the Catholic Church. You could look into it if St. John's isn't to your liking. Also, Shimer is a Great Books school, but I'm afraid I don't know a whole lot about that one. Hope this helps.
No, I'm not looking for religious schools in particular. Actually, I've been preferring secular ones. I'm aware of Thomas Aquinas and have considered applying there but I think St. John's is academically better. Plus I already live in CA and would like, if possible, not to spend my college years here. What I'm concerned about is the open-mindedness of the school about my sometimes conservative, traditional, nonliberal views. Most colleges are predominantly liberal if not knee-jerking ones. I just want to know if I would be able to breathe at St. Johns. Are you getting anything I'm saying at all? Choosing a college is so complicated it makes me want to go arghhhhhh! sometimes. Anyway, I'm just wondering if you had any concerns like that about the school. And thanks for bringing Shimer to my attention. I will definitely research it.
