The Saint Olaf campus is beautiful, welcoming and friendly, and although Saint Olaf has a stigma of hosting purely blonde-haired, blue-eyed, middle-class students we are actually in fact quite diverse, and becoming more so as time passes. The resources provided for students are almost endless, and professors are incredibly helpful and caring of their students. Classes are challenging and students are encouraged to speak their minds, hold their own opinions, and challenge themselves and others.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Don't put-off an interview or a campus tour, as these will very likely make your decision in choosing a college. Keep connected with admissions counselors, advisers, and don't be afraid to reach out to current students to find out more about whether or not it's a right fit. If you do decide to go to Saint Olaf, be prepared to work very hard (in the classroom and outside as well) and make close friends quickly.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Academically, Saint Olaf is very rigorous. Professors expect very much from their students, and students definitely rise up to the challenge. Saint Olaf has an Honor Code in place, which means that it is up to the student's honor in the classroom; for example, the professor is never present during an exam, and students must sign the honor pledge before turning it in.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
As a residential college (96% of students live on-campus all four years), the community at Saint Olaf is extremely important. The College works hard to create a safe, open environment where everyone is welcomed. JCs (Junior counselors; students in their third year who live in freshman dorms and act as guides for them during their first year) do their job extremely well, creating welcoming environments, hosting fun events and educational activities, and always being present to answer questions or handle emergency situations. Many times, very close relationships are created in freshman corridors and with the JCs. Laundry is free, floors are divided by gender, a kitchen can be used at all times, and every dorm has a great lounge with TVs, pool tables, darts, music practice rooms and pianos.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Our cafeteria is often ranked top in the nation. Enough said.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Saint Olaf is very expensive, but there are endless opportunities and resources on campus for students, and classes and professors are definitely worth the money. The community that is built, and the way students are taught to think critically for themselves is something that is priceless.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Many of the dorms are considered haunted and every year there is a ghost tour on Halloween. On Fridays, flowers are sold and can be stuffed into friends' or boy/girlfriends' Post Office boxes. During finals time, we have many activities including paws for finals where local individuals bring their dogs so students can play with them to relieve stress, and a silent library dance party in which students play their ipods and dance in the library in silence.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Many clubs and activities are available around campus. Some include the Student Government Association, Presente (the Latino awareness club), the Volunteer Network, the After Dark Committee (a planning committee for fun nighttime events on campus), mentoring for students in Northfield or Minneapolis, and the campus radio station, where students can host their own radio show every week.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
None.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
The Saint Olaf campus is beautiful, welcoming and friendly, and although Saint Olaf has a stigma of hosting purely blonde-haired, blue-eyed, middle-class students we are actually in fact quite diverse, and becoming more so as time passes. The resources provided for students are almost endless, and professors are incredibly helpful and caring of their students. Classes are challenging and students are encouraged to speak their minds, hold their own opinions, and challenge themselves and others.
Don't put-off an interview or a campus tour, as these will very likely make your decision in choosing a college. Keep connected with admissions counselors, advisers, and don't be afraid to reach out to current students to find out more about whether or not it's a right fit. If you do decide to go to Saint Olaf, be prepared to work very hard (in the classroom and outside as well) and make close friends quickly.
Academically, Saint Olaf is very rigorous. Professors expect very much from their students, and students definitely rise up to the challenge. Saint Olaf has an Honor Code in place, which means that it is up to the student's honor in the classroom; for example, the professor is never present during an exam, and students must sign the honor pledge before turning it in.
As a residential college (96% of students live on-campus all four years), the community at Saint Olaf is extremely important. The College works hard to create a safe, open environment where everyone is welcomed. JCs (Junior counselors; students in their third year who live in freshman dorms and act as guides for them during their first year) do their job extremely well, creating welcoming environments, hosting fun events and educational activities, and always being present to answer questions or handle emergency situations. Many times, very close relationships are created in freshman corridors and with the JCs. Laundry is free, floors are divided by gender, a kitchen can be used at all times, and every dorm has a great lounge with TVs, pool tables, darts, music practice rooms and pianos.
Our cafeteria is often ranked top in the nation. Enough said.
Saint Olaf is a dry campus; this does not mean that there is no alcohol use, but it is a definitely a safe, open, non-threatening environment. Otherwise, there are many things to do on and off-campus almost all the time. Whether it be visiting the cafés or bars in downtown Northfield, visiting the Carleton campus - a 20-minute walk - or participating in the many activities offered around campus, there is never a dull moment. There are free movies on the weekends, galleries to visit, theater and dance performances to see, excursions and scavenger hunts, sledding down our great hills in the winter, and often there are special activities like laser-tag, casino nights or carnivals. Many students are also involved in many student organizations and volunteer work in various ways.
Saint Olaf is very expensive, but there are endless opportunities and resources on campus for students, and classes and professors are definitely worth the money. The community that is built, and the way students are taught to think critically for themselves is something that is priceless.
Many of the dorms are considered haunted and every year there is a ghost tour on Halloween. On Fridays, flowers are sold and can be stuffed into friends' or boy/girlfriends' Post Office boxes. During finals time, we have many activities including paws for finals where local individuals bring their dogs so students can play with them to relieve stress, and a silent library dance party in which students play their ipods and dance in the library in silence.
Many clubs and activities are available around campus. Some include the Student Government Association, Presente (the Latino awareness club), the Volunteer Network, the After Dark Committee (a planning committee for fun nighttime events on campus), mentoring for students in Northfield or Minneapolis, and the campus radio station, where students can host their own radio show every week.
None.
As mentioned before, campus safety is of utmost importance, and largely because of the community and trust that is built, there is hardly ever a problem in terms of safety. Dorms and buildings do lock at night, and there are safety precautions in place, but drastic measures are rarely taken, and it is thanks to the student body and faculty and staff that Saint Olaf has such a safe, open environment. Every day backpacks, laptops, cellphones and purses can be found left in common areas or café tables for hours at a time, with no fear of theft, and our Post Office boxes do not have locks. Both of these things speak of the campus-wide trust that is held in high regard, and also speaks about our community as a whole.