I'm looking into smaller colleges with unique approaches to education, and St. John's College in Santa Fe caught my eye. Can anyone share what their campus is like? Is it a vibrant community for students or more laid-back?
St. John's College in Santa Fe is indeed a unique choice! Its campus is a serene, tranquil environment resting on the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. With a student body of under 500, it offers a very tight-knit, welcoming community setting which many students find enriching.
The college itself is known for its Great Books curriculum, where students read and discuss a list of seminal works in the Western canon instead of following a traditional major/minor path. This translates into a truly dedicated, intellectual student body, who enjoy in-depth conversations and engaging discussions, even outside the classroom.
The campus facilities themselves are adequate but not necessarily glamorous. The library has a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains, and there's a coffee shop known as Meem's Cafe where students hang out and study. The classrooms themselves are intimate and designed for seminar-style instruction.
In terms of community vibrancy, the campus community is quite active with events such as seminars, guest lectures, and film screenings. There is also an annual croquet match, the Annapolis Cup, between the Annapolis and Santa Fe campuses, which creates some friendly rivalry and fun for students. Outdoor activities, such as hiking, are also popular given the location.
To sum up, St. John's College Santa Fe provides an intellectual, engaging, and peaceful community for students. The atmosphere can lean more towards being laid-back, but this by no means suggests lack of exciting opportunities and a vibrant intellectual life. The 'quiet' atmosphere is often packed with thoughtful discussions, providing an enriching college experience for those seeking a unique, immersive education.
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