About

See what students say:

Academics

At St. John’s College in Santa Fe, students read and explore a common body of “great books”—including many of the most important books in history—in close partnership with their classmates and teachers. Every professor “must teach (learn) Euclid, Plato, and Darwin, whether he or she has a PhD in mathematics, classics, or biology.” This common curriculum and dedication to the liberal arts means that “students are respected for what they can bring, and need never feel self-conscious about whether they’re ‘smart enough.’” Everywhere you look, there is a “commitment, sincerity, and passion for learning of the community and the faculty.” This truly is an academic community that sincerely loves “the journey in its pursuit of knowledge, not simply the destination.” The “liberation of the mind” at SJC comes primarily by means of the Socratic Method. SJC does not have professors, but tutors, who are there not to lecture, but to “help lead the class through the curriculum.” The tutors are “very different in personality,” but also “very knowledgeable and excitable about what we do.” As experienced academics, they are “skillful when it comes to managing the classroom discussions and helping students articulate their thoughts” and are “truly open-minded and give everyone a chance to participate.” “They really care about their students and treat us as peers in the classroom since they consider themselves also to be constantly learning.” “Everyone shares fundamental values of how to treat others in the classroom,” says a student. The greatest asset of SJC is the community; with everyone on board this nontraditional learning train, it’s hard not to be at your best. “You’re thinking nonstop at SJC,” says a student. Though the self-selecting student body pretty much ensures success, students can choose how connected they wish to be to the rest of the school. “You can go four years without having an interaction with the president of the college, or you can see him every Tuesday at the Foreign Relations study group,” says a student.

Student Body

Most of the 350 undergrads at St. John’s are “friendly,” “big readers,” and “interested in discussions.” It’s easy to find commonalities, since “you’re always able to discuss the program as long as they’re the same year or lower.” All are here “because we have a genuine interest in the larger questions that are posed in life through academia,” and “that’s enough for most of us to feel like we’re ‘fitting in,’ however that may be defined.” Johnnies are “fascinated with learning in a way different from most schools” and “thrive on epiphanies through the ‘great books,’ especially ones shared with others.”

Campus Life

At St. John’s, “you have to work intensely and relax intensely. Life is more distilled, here.” “Is it hard work?” asks a student. “Yes and no. Does staying up until 1:00 a.m. reading Shakespeare or Darwin sound like work?” Santa Fe is “stunning,” and the proximity of the mountains (for hiking and skiing) is more than welcome. Though each week is “epic” in its schoolwork, there are dozens of clubs and activities to take part in, from “dance (beginners always welcome) to search and rescue to astronomy to rock-climbing.” If you’re artsy, there are many galleries in Santa Fe, or “you can stay on campus, join a study group or sports team, or go to the gym.” The student government is also responsible for dispersing several thousand dollars to support student clubs annually, so “if you can get signatures to show support, you can probably get funding for snacks or supplies.” Many say that food services could have better hours and prices. There are “frequent” field trips to some of the extraordinary places in New Mexico.

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Liz Wilkenson
Visit Coordinator

Address
Office of Admissions
1160 Camino Cruz Blanca
Santa Fe, NM 87505

Phone
1-800-331-5232

Email
visitsjc@sjc.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Student Activities Center
The Cave
Coffee Shop
Placita/Fish Pnd
Common rooms

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Ten Thousand Waves Spa
Local cafes and restaurants
Downtown Historic Plaza
Lensic Performing Arts Center
Art Galleries and Museums
Outdoor activities: hiking, Ski Santa Fe, rock climbing, rafting

Campus Tours

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Not Available

Times

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Advance Notice
1 week

Contact Email Address for Visit
visitsjc@sjc.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Limitations
High school juniors, seniors, or older students only

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Although there are flights into Santa Fe Municipal airport (SAF), flying into Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is recommended. Albuquerque is 60 miles south of Santa Fe. Sandia Shuttle runs vans between the Albuquerque airport and Santa Fe. Roadrunner Shuttle provides transportation between the Santa Fe airport and campus. Most national car rental companies are available at the Albuquerque airport or in Santa Fe. The New Mexico Railrunner Express runs between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Amtrak stops at Lamy, NM, which is 17 miles from Santa Fe.

Driving Instructions to Campus
Directions from Albuquerque: Take I-25 North for 60 miles. Take exit 284, Old Pecos Trail. Go north (left) on Old Pecos Trail. At the 3rd light, bear right to remain on Old Pecos Trail. Take a right onto Armenta. Turn left at Camino Corrales. Turn right onto Old Santa Fe Trail. Turn left onto Camino del Monte Sol. Turn right onto Camino Cruz Blanca. St. John's is on the right after the tennis courts. Directions form Taos: Take 84/285 South. As you approach Santa Fe, stay right and follow signs for I-25/St. Francis Drive (84/285 becomes St. Francis Drive). Turn left onto Alameda. After about 2 1/2 miles, Alameda will curve right and become Camino Cabra. Past Los Miradores, on the left, turn left at Camino Cruz Blanca. St. John's is on on the right after the tennis courts.

Local Accommodations
All hotel prices are subject to seasonal change and may be discounted by AAA memberships. Hotels near the college are more expensive as they are close to downtown. Less than 3 miles from St. John's is Santa Fe Sage Inn (725 Cerrillos Road, 1-866-433-0335, moderate, mention St. John's College for a discount); Garrett's Desert Inn (311 Old Santa Fe Trail, 505-982-1851, moderate); Residence Inn (1698 Galisteo, 505-988-7300, moderate/expensive).

Admissions

Applicants: 454
Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average HS GPA: 3.74







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