A couple of years ago, one of my son's friends went to St John's. That kid was the sharpest/smartest of any of my son's friends - ever. I recall reading somewhere that SJC sends the highest percentage of its students to the top grad and law schools. It might be easy to get into but not sure if it's easy to stay in. Good luck in your search.

I think you have to be able to spell Annapolis to be admitted.

Just go visit and see for yourself.

SJC is a unique school for a particular student. If you're that student, it's amazing. If you're not that student, it's hell. The classes are tiny so absolutely no hiding (seminar has less than 10 students with two tutors). Students are really smart. Obviously, lots of reading very difficult books. You need to be able argue your points in class.

You say it's your safety school, likely because of its admission rate. However, they rely on students to self-select so the amiss ions rate is misleading. Instead of getting a report card, you will sit in a room with all of your tutors (called don rags) and have them give you an oral assessment of your performance. It's not for the faint of heart.

The great books curriculum is tough. Check this out: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesmarshallcrotty/2011/09/08/st-johns-college-santa-fe-voted-most-rigorous-college-in-america-brown-penn-duke-dont-make-cut/#515d4647532b

Definitely worth a visit. Campus is small but lovely. Lots of history and cool traditions.

I actually was admitted when I applied in the late 90s. I also wore pink mini skirts with silver combat boots. I was a "do your own thing" type person. All the people I know who went to St. John's were liberal. I ultimately ended up going to another university for the financial package. I am not sure it would be the best place for Paleo.

Anonymous wrote:I think St John's might be a good spot for you, OP. It will provide a rigorous education and a means to ground your political philosophy. I agree with the pp that SJ students tend to be smart non-conformists, but they are a different type than you would find at the most politically liberal SLACs, so students are more focused on studying and less on fighting the culture wars. I hear from a friend who teaches there that SJ students don't mix a lot with the Navel Academy students, but those students would provide a nearby more-conservative student body in which you might find a social outlet.

USNA grad. There were a few dances where they would invite us, and I always had a good time with good conversation. We generally liked and respected each other. And there's also the annual croquet match, which is an awesome, Gatsby-esque lawn party with students from both schools wearing vintage costumes and smoking vanilla cigars.

Anonymous wrote:Given your GPA and other scores it may be a reach...

The best research is face to face, have your parents take you on a tour.

+1

Might also be too intellectual for Paleo.

I thought I read that this school was having some serious financial problems (due to dropping enrollment)?

There are some very conservative people I know who graduated from there in the 90s. It's intellectual, but in kind of a tedious way.

PaleoCon here
The Princeton Review says that the Annapolis campus is dominated by East Coast preps and hipsters. So maybe I'll find my group there.

I think St John's might be a good spot for you, OP. It will provide a rigorous education and a means to ground your political philosophy. I agree with the pp that SJ students tend to be smart non-conformists, but they are a different type than you would find at the most politically liberal SLACs, so students are more focused on studying and less on fighting the culture wars. I hear from a friend who teaches there that SJ students don't mix a lot with the Navel Academy students, but those students would provide a nearby more-conservative student body in which you might find a social outlet.

The school's conservative reputation derives from the Great Books curriculum, not from the student body. It takes a certain kind of student to want to go to St. John's. It is not for everyone.

I would not call it a preppy college. If anything, the type of students you find at St. John's would have been your high school classmates who thought outside the box, marched to a slightly different drummer, questioning, and who would have been called dorks and dweebs by many of their classmates in that cruel and insensitive way of kids.

Given your GPA and other scores it may be a reach...

The best research is face to face, have your parents take you on a tour.

Go visit. Get a tour. See it yourself.

What's the social environment like at St. John's? Are there preppy/conservative students there? Is the school tolerant of conservative views? It's one of my safety schools.