St. Olaf College has excellent academics, wonderful performing and fine arts programs, a gorgeous campus, one of the best cafeterias in the USA with nutritious and local food, a new environmentally sound science building, beautiful art and dance building, and a state-of-the-art athletic building with a climbing wall. More than that, St. Olaf College is a true community and one ends up with life-long friends and mentors. A focus on ethics and making the world a better place permeates each class, and St. Olaf College is also highly-ranked in study abroad programs as well as the number of students who volunteer afterward in organizations such as the Peace Corps.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
A good academic record and high scores on the ACT or SAT help. It is also very good to be well-rounded. Show in your essays that you are a reflective and thinking individual. Visit the campus and take advantage of opportunities such as attending classes and activities.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
St. Olaf College is highly-ranked in academics. The math and science programs are highly regarded. The college has a wonderful new science building and a Biomedical Studies Concentration that can go with any major. St. Olaf College has a strong liberal arts tradition. One learns to integrate subjects and so doing becomes more creative in solving problems, which is a necessary skill in post-college careers. The music programs are top-notch and the ensembles are nationally recognized.
St. Olaf College is also ranked ninth among US baccalaureate colleges in the number of graduates who earn doctorates, especially in the fields of math/statistics, religion/theology, music, arts, medical sciences, physical sciences, chemistry, life sciences, education, social services, and foreign languages. St. Olaf College is known for producing Fulbright Fellows and Rhodes Scholars as well as preparing students for medical school. About 80 percent of graduating seniors who apply to medical school are accepted, compared to a national average of 49-50 percent.
Classes are relatively small so students recieve more attention than many other schools. The professors are all brilliant and very much respected in their fields.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The sense of community in dorms is very strong and there are many options of rooms to choose from. Some buildings are modern in style, some have intriguing history, all are beautiful. There are kitchens for students to use, gathering rooms with comfy couches and chairs, tv's to use. Some dorms have small chapels.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The cafeteria is amazing. There are several different stations including pasta, vegan, burgers, sandwiches and more. In the morning one can request an omelet and choose from a variety of ingredients. There are other dining options on campus including a nice restaurant, a Panera-like cafe called The Cage, The Pause which is open late and has pizza that can be ordered, a mini-cafe in the science building with delicious coffee drinks, and a student-run cafe in one of the dorms. Much of the food is grown locally which is good for the environment because of reduced energy for travel. Milk, microwave dinners and ice cream can be bought in the convenience section of the bookstore.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
If you enjoy the performing arts, there are always music events, dance performances, and theatrical plays happening. The Pause hosts entertainment guests and dances. There are many athletic events to choose from. Buntrock Commons has a theater that hosts movies, including recent Oscar-nominated movies. If you want to leave campus, it is easy to walk to downtown Northfield, a quaint town with character.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
The networking opportunities during and after college are extremely helpful. Ole's, the nickname for those who are attending or have attended St. Olaf, are very willing to help one another whether in internships, advice, anything. For example, I received the opportunity to work as a student worker at a University of Kansas Medical Center research lab because I was able to contact an alum that is a senior researcher in the lab.
If you want to gain experience in something, whether leadership or otherwise, opportunities on campus are abundant. You can join or create an organization for almost anything.
St. Olaf is known for its study abroad programs in 46 different countries. One can study abroad for January Interim, a semester, or a whole year concentrating on almost any area of academics.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Unique experiences include the annual Christmas Festival by the choirs and orchestra, a nationally recognized performance. Um Ya Ya is chanted quite often, especially at athletic events.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Bright and well-rounded individuals who are reflective and thinking people. Those who care about making a positive difference in the world and doing the right thing even when no one is looking. Effort and the will to try is very important. Most students will find outlets for their interests at whatever level they wish, whether arts, athletics, academics, volunteering. Students who like to be involved will find much to do. Those who are friendly, positive and honest will make friends very quickly.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are numerous clubs (everything from academic to Quidditch to theater to volunteer organizations to dancing), honor societies, as well as many recreational sports and classes. If you want to view current clubs, check out the college's website (www.stolaf.edu), click current students on the left, then choose Student Organizations. A note of caution: it is very very easy to get involved in activities and become over-extended, make sure you get enough rest too!
If you enjoy music there is a variety of opportunities and all of the performing groups are top-rate. The fine arts programs all have amazing professors, so if you become involved in their out-of-class activities you will find wonderful mentors. Professors still practice their crafts professionally in the Twin Cities or elsewhere, whether dancing, acting, directing, performing music, conducting, or creating art.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There is no Greek Life. Instead, if you wish to live in a house associated with the campus there are Honor Houses that are very nice. I have not lived in an Honor House but have heard they are full of great fellowship and worth it.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
The campus is relatively safe and has active security that patrol. I have felt safe walking at night, however it is very easy and acceptable to call the St. Olaf Public Safety for a ride. There is also a volunteer EMF organization that works closely with Public Safety. They provide two-person call during the academic year from 7pm to 7am, all weekend, and special events. They also have instructors certified through the Red Cross to teach CPR, AED, and First Aid for those who would like to learn and earn certification.
After 11pm students use key cards to enter dorms because they are locked for security.
St. Olaf College has excellent academics, wonderful performing and fine arts programs, a gorgeous campus, one of the best cafeterias in the USA with nutritious and local food, a new environmentally sound science building, beautiful art and dance building, and a state-of-the-art athletic building with a climbing wall. More than that, St. Olaf College is a true community and one ends up with life-long friends and mentors. A focus on ethics and making the world a better place permeates each class, and St. Olaf College is also highly-ranked in study abroad programs as well as the number of students who volunteer afterward in organizations such as the Peace Corps.
A good academic record and high scores on the ACT or SAT help. It is also very good to be well-rounded. Show in your essays that you are a reflective and thinking individual. Visit the campus and take advantage of opportunities such as attending classes and activities.
St. Olaf College is highly-ranked in academics. The math and science programs are highly regarded. The college has a wonderful new science building and a Biomedical Studies Concentration that can go with any major. St. Olaf College has a strong liberal arts tradition. One learns to integrate subjects and so doing becomes more creative in solving problems, which is a necessary skill in post-college careers. The music programs are top-notch and the ensembles are nationally recognized. St. Olaf College is also ranked ninth among US baccalaureate colleges in the number of graduates who earn doctorates, especially in the fields of math/statistics, religion/theology, music, arts, medical sciences, physical sciences, chemistry, life sciences, education, social services, and foreign languages. St. Olaf College is known for producing Fulbright Fellows and Rhodes Scholars as well as preparing students for medical school. About 80 percent of graduating seniors who apply to medical school are accepted, compared to a national average of 49-50 percent. Classes are relatively small so students recieve more attention than many other schools. The professors are all brilliant and very much respected in their fields.
The sense of community in dorms is very strong and there are many options of rooms to choose from. Some buildings are modern in style, some have intriguing history, all are beautiful. There are kitchens for students to use, gathering rooms with comfy couches and chairs, tv's to use. Some dorms have small chapels.
The cafeteria is amazing. There are several different stations including pasta, vegan, burgers, sandwiches and more. In the morning one can request an omelet and choose from a variety of ingredients. There are other dining options on campus including a nice restaurant, a Panera-like cafe called The Cage, The Pause which is open late and has pizza that can be ordered, a mini-cafe in the science building with delicious coffee drinks, and a student-run cafe in one of the dorms. Much of the food is grown locally which is good for the environment because of reduced energy for travel. Milk, microwave dinners and ice cream can be bought in the convenience section of the bookstore.
If you enjoy the performing arts, there are always music events, dance performances, and theatrical plays happening. The Pause hosts entertainment guests and dances. There are many athletic events to choose from. Buntrock Commons has a theater that hosts movies, including recent Oscar-nominated movies. If you want to leave campus, it is easy to walk to downtown Northfield, a quaint town with character.
The networking opportunities during and after college are extremely helpful. Ole's, the nickname for those who are attending or have attended St. Olaf, are very willing to help one another whether in internships, advice, anything. For example, I received the opportunity to work as a student worker at a University of Kansas Medical Center research lab because I was able to contact an alum that is a senior researcher in the lab. If you want to gain experience in something, whether leadership or otherwise, opportunities on campus are abundant. You can join or create an organization for almost anything. St. Olaf is known for its study abroad programs in 46 different countries. One can study abroad for January Interim, a semester, or a whole year concentrating on almost any area of academics.
Unique experiences include the annual Christmas Festival by the choirs and orchestra, a nationally recognized performance. Um Ya Ya is chanted quite often, especially at athletic events.
Bright and well-rounded individuals who are reflective and thinking people. Those who care about making a positive difference in the world and doing the right thing even when no one is looking. Effort and the will to try is very important. Most students will find outlets for their interests at whatever level they wish, whether arts, athletics, academics, volunteering. Students who like to be involved will find much to do. Those who are friendly, positive and honest will make friends very quickly.
There are numerous clubs (everything from academic to Quidditch to theater to volunteer organizations to dancing), honor societies, as well as many recreational sports and classes. If you want to view current clubs, check out the college's website (www.stolaf.edu), click current students on the left, then choose Student Organizations. A note of caution: it is very very easy to get involved in activities and become over-extended, make sure you get enough rest too! If you enjoy music there is a variety of opportunities and all of the performing groups are top-rate. The fine arts programs all have amazing professors, so if you become involved in their out-of-class activities you will find wonderful mentors. Professors still practice their crafts professionally in the Twin Cities or elsewhere, whether dancing, acting, directing, performing music, conducting, or creating art.
There is no Greek Life. Instead, if you wish to live in a house associated with the campus there are Honor Houses that are very nice. I have not lived in an Honor House but have heard they are full of great fellowship and worth it.
The campus is relatively safe and has active security that patrol. I have felt safe walking at night, however it is very easy and acceptable to call the St. Olaf Public Safety for a ride. There is also a volunteer EMF organization that works closely with Public Safety. They provide two-person call during the academic year from 7pm to 7am, all weekend, and special events. They also have instructors certified through the Red Cross to teach CPR, AED, and First Aid for those who would like to learn and earn certification. After 11pm students use key cards to enter dorms because they are locked for security.