<p>thanks derek duplessie!! I really liked your post. No worries about the length, I wouldn’t be looking at St Johns if I didn’t like long detailed reading :)</p>
<p>What you said about activism - that totally fits what I think. I originally started at a university here in Canada, and one of the most frustrating things was the over-the-top activism. People would dress up in chicken suits and stand in a cage for 24 hours, but they could hardly carry on an intelligent discussion about animal rights, wouldn’t have any of their facts right and more importantly wouldn’t be able to put together a coherent logical argument. I would much rather discuss the issues and really find some understanding while being open to other people’s points of view. I am planning on ending up in a career in one of those “causes” areas - intl development or environmental sci or something - but I strongly believe that any “activism” needs to be measured and inclusive to other ideas (if people can back them up with good and interesting reasons), and more about interacting with people then being loyal to a certain ideology.</p>
<p>and it is very appealing to know that the emphasis won’t be on the fads in social sciences. ie. I don’t want to read everything from an “angry feminist” point of view. but on the other hand, being a women, I don’t think you can ignore that point of view either. Some of the conservative promoters of great books seem to be so radically against any exploration of those issues, while the fact that the great books have led to such tolerance and equal rights for all is exactly why I have so much respect for western culture despite all its problems</p>
<p>And yes that is a very good point of needing time to test new classics. Also I have seen on facebook discussions that people have very current tastes in music and books, so I am not as concerned about the student body anymore. I am a little hesitant if I am willing to give up coursework in international relations/modern biology as those are two of my fav subject areas…but I do feel that st johns could give me enough intellectual benefits that I could catch up on other subjects later. It may well be the best opportunity I have…but still need to apply and visit hopefully</p>
<p>more comments are still welcome about this issue
…and especially I’m still interested in the campus atmosphere…is there enough to do? do you feel to isolated from the world? I’ve heard the food is bad - that’s a huge minus for me 
do people keep busy? I need to have enough to do or I go crazy…</p>
<p>nzrower - I’m actually a little older (21), and I graduated high school in 2004. Started a university in my hometown in Canada because of some family issues, but was completely unsatisfied and dropped out (gigantic class sizes, grades entirely based on m/c exams, only able to take one subject, students completely unmotivated and there because they had to have a degree to get a job) I know I want a small school where people care about learning and where you can take a bunch of different subjects. I also want a really interesting, intelligent and mature student body. So basically I’m only looking at the small elite LACs in the USA. Financial aid, the fact I’m older etc. are proving to be big obstacles. That’s why I’m drawn to St Johns though because it sounds like it has a lot of people with unusual situations who just couldn’t find the right home anywhere else but who have tons of potential to offer.
what’s your story? (and grad year 15?? what does that mean - in Canada we have grades 1(when 6 years old) thru 12 (when 17 years old)</p>