St. John's College (NM) (SJC)

The mountains of Santa Fe provide a fertile setting for intellectual exploration at St. John’s College, a liberal arts institution defined by a distinctive curriculum centered on the reading and discussion of the Great Books in literature, history, religion, and more. Johnnies—as students are known—say the “integration between the student body and the curriculum is so beautiful,” giving them “the space to think and to grow through the texts that are read.” Every student participates in seminar twice a week, gathering on Monday and Thursday evenings to discuss one of the texts, while classes more broadly promote “personal growth” by “teaching us how to have good conversations with each other.” This ethos extends to the faculty—called tutors—who must “teach everything from Ancient Greek for translation to Einstein’s theory of relativity, regardless of their specialty,” making them “incredibly committed to learning and unusually curious, open, and full of intellectual humility.” Within this shared academic structure, tutors “have great freedom to ask innovative questions, pursue surprising ways of thinking, and take the class on productive tangents.” Students emphasize that this approach not only makes tutors “a great joy to be around,” but also fosters strong “potential for intensive learning,” along with a “[high] degree of academic intimacy.” In short, it’s a great fit for a “like-minded group of ambitious individuals that have learning and insight as a top priority.”

Students who choose St. John’s “are seeking out knowledge and wisdom beyond just the academics,” and readily embrace the rigor of the program. The college’s size fosters close relationships—“it is a small school, so everyone knows each other”—and contributes to “a strong level of respect between peers.” The student body is described as “an eclectic group of students, all of whom have interesting personalities and immense passion,” united by a shared love of reading and inquiry. As one student puts it, “I will say that I am surrounded by the most honestly curious oddities to walk on two legs,” capturing both the individuality and intellectual intensity of the community. Indeed, this lot of “community-driven and academically minded individuals” has “diverse interests but are usually targeted toward a specific area.” Summing up the experience, one student explains: “We’re fitting 3,000 years of thought in philosophy, mathematics, science, language, and more into just four years of schooling. If we weren’t so supportive and intelligent, we would never make it to the end.”

By academic design—all students share the same classes and texts with those in their year—Johnnies “interact so heavily with the curriculum outside of class.” The result is a campus environment filled “with the wilder, funkier ideas that constantly spill out from classroom rigor,” where “just as many students spend their Friday nights studying Aristotle or field theory or law (for fun!) as they do going to parties.” Although most students “spend a lot of time studying and preparing for class,” leaving relatively limited free time, they make the most of it on this “absolutely breathtakingly beautiful” campus. Outdoor recreation is a key feature of student life: “Camping trips with friends are a popular weekend activity,” supported by the Outdoor Program, “which frequently holds camping, climbing, skiing, etc., trips that are very affordable and easy to get into.” Students also point to “many reading groups on campus” and note that “intramural sports are also excellent.” Between lively discussions among peers, reading outdoors, and the lure of the mountains, one student observes that there is “so much variety of interest and extracurricular activity and social activity that the environment is almost frantic, constantly productive and interesting, and meaningful.”

Students at St. John’s College appreciate that the school “has a plethora of resources for careers and further education, making the transition from college to the real world as streamlined as possible.” In addition to the usual career development resources that most schools have, St. John’s also offers workshops that teach students how to navigate life as an adult: everything from how to rent an apartment and purchase the right insurance to budgeting, saving, and investing. Graduates of St. John’s have an important edge when meeting with prospective employers and starting that first job: they know “how to learn fast, and how to speak intelligently.” And as one student notes, “there is never a lack of exposure to opportunities or beliefs or expertise, ensuring students are equipped not just for college but for life after.” Graduates of St. John’s College can expect a median starting salary of $55,600, according to Payscale.com.