Naropa is a place of contemplative learning. This means that students aren't forced to stuff a bunch of information in their brains, memorize it, and then spit it back out on a test only to forget about it the next week. That often happened in high school, but not here. Contemplative learning means actually thinking about what we are learning, processing it, and making sense of it for ourselves. It is creating a personal relationship with the class material and discovering how it connects to an individual's life. I feel that learning is only important if it makes an impact, and at Naropa it definitely does.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I am loving my time at Naropa. This is a very small campus, with many friendly and familiar faces. The teachers, staff, and students alike are very accepting of any time of diversity, and are the farthest thing from judgmental. I feel very at home and at peace with myself here. It is a very loving and open and caring environment. Teachers and students truly get to know each other.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
I won't lie, Naropa is expensive. But so are most private colleges. The total cost is around $38,000 per year. But on the other hand, Naropa was generous in the grant they gave me, and along with scholarships it's not as bad. The atmosphere here makes up for the money, and even though I'm taking out a lot in loans, I would rather be here than any other college. The school is great, the city is great, and it's all worth the extra money that I don't have.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
If you have the means to do so, take a visit to the campus, talk to a staff member, and sit in on a class. That will give you a good idea of how Naropa is run. Don't be afraid of talking with a teacher here and asking the questions you want to know. Naropa also has a lot of unique activities and speeches going on, and if you get a chance definitely go to one. This will show you the ambiance of the place and the people who go here. I have yet to meet an unfriendly student on this campus, so talk to them!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
The most obvious thing to say is that this school is perfect for anyone who was the oddball in high school. If you were any sort of outcast, reject, loner, or otherwise ostracized person, you'll fit right in at Naropa. Jocks and cheerleaders don't really exist here. Individuality is highly valued in the Naropa community. Also, LGBTQIA (gay, etc..) people are very accepted here and are treated with respect. Naropa is a very safe place for people of those identities, and even in classes we address such issues very openly and respectfully.
Naropa is a place of contemplative learning. This means that students aren't forced to stuff a bunch of information in their brains, memorize it, and then spit it back out on a test only to forget about it the next week. That often happened in high school, but not here. Contemplative learning means actually thinking about what we are learning, processing it, and making sense of it for ourselves. It is creating a personal relationship with the class material and discovering how it connects to an individual's life. I feel that learning is only important if it makes an impact, and at Naropa it definitely does.
I am loving my time at Naropa. This is a very small campus, with many friendly and familiar faces. The teachers, staff, and students alike are very accepting of any time of diversity, and are the farthest thing from judgmental. I feel very at home and at peace with myself here. It is a very loving and open and caring environment. Teachers and students truly get to know each other.
I won't lie, Naropa is expensive. But so are most private colleges. The total cost is around $38,000 per year. But on the other hand, Naropa was generous in the grant they gave me, and along with scholarships it's not as bad. The atmosphere here makes up for the money, and even though I'm taking out a lot in loans, I would rather be here than any other college. The school is great, the city is great, and it's all worth the extra money that I don't have.
If you have the means to do so, take a visit to the campus, talk to a staff member, and sit in on a class. That will give you a good idea of how Naropa is run. Don't be afraid of talking with a teacher here and asking the questions you want to know. Naropa also has a lot of unique activities and speeches going on, and if you get a chance definitely go to one. This will show you the ambiance of the place and the people who go here. I have yet to meet an unfriendly student on this campus, so talk to them!
The most obvious thing to say is that this school is perfect for anyone who was the oddball in high school. If you were any sort of outcast, reject, loner, or otherwise ostracized person, you'll fit right in at Naropa. Jocks and cheerleaders don't really exist here. Individuality is highly valued in the Naropa community. Also, LGBTQIA (gay, etc..) people are very accepted here and are treated with respect. Naropa is a very safe place for people of those identities, and even in classes we address such issues very openly and respectfully.