Not only does Shimer have a great curriculum, so students read truly amazing texts, it also does a great job of teaching its students how to interact with each other. Classes are discussion based, so we learn how to listen and discuss productively, which is great, because we are truly picking up life skills.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
There is a bit of pretentiousness at Shimer, which is kind of to be expected when it is a great books school, but still hard to deal with.
The education here is amazing. The books you will read are incredible and the conversations you will have are intense and usually in a good way. People, on the other hand, tend to be cold until you establish yourself as a potential Shimer graduate, because the drop out rate is abnormally high. Both of these trends, unfortunately, feed each other, which makes the social situation rough.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Shimer is pretty expensive, but they try really hard to get your as much scholarship money as is possible, and they are small enough that what they charge is not a scam. Faculty and staff don't get paid as well here as they do in other schools. They are there because they love it.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Visit. Sit in on a class, talk to students and come to a Shimer party. It is exactly what it looks like after you do those three things, and if you like what you experience when you do those three things you will be a great fit at Shimer.
Also, as you apply take advantage of what the people who work in the Admissions office have to offer. They are really helpful, friendly people.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Students who are self-motivated and who really enjoy reading, writing and discussing are really well-suited for Shimer. I would emphasize, however, that discussion is a two-way street, which implies truly listening to peers just as much as it does telling everyone else what you think.
Not only does Shimer have a great curriculum, so students read truly amazing texts, it also does a great job of teaching its students how to interact with each other. Classes are discussion based, so we learn how to listen and discuss productively, which is great, because we are truly picking up life skills.
There is a bit of pretentiousness at Shimer, which is kind of to be expected when it is a great books school, but still hard to deal with. The education here is amazing. The books you will read are incredible and the conversations you will have are intense and usually in a good way. People, on the other hand, tend to be cold until you establish yourself as a potential Shimer graduate, because the drop out rate is abnormally high. Both of these trends, unfortunately, feed each other, which makes the social situation rough.
Shimer is pretty expensive, but they try really hard to get your as much scholarship money as is possible, and they are small enough that what they charge is not a scam. Faculty and staff don't get paid as well here as they do in other schools. They are there because they love it.
Visit. Sit in on a class, talk to students and come to a Shimer party. It is exactly what it looks like after you do those three things, and if you like what you experience when you do those three things you will be a great fit at Shimer. Also, as you apply take advantage of what the people who work in the Admissions office have to offer. They are really helpful, friendly people.
Students who are self-motivated and who really enjoy reading, writing and discussing are really well-suited for Shimer. I would emphasize, however, that discussion is a two-way street, which implies truly listening to peers just as much as it does telling everyone else what you think.