St. John's College

College Search & Lists
1

<p>I’m posting this here because I get the impression that the actual college forum is not oft-visited forum.</p>

<p>Ever since I learned about this college, I’ve really taken to what they do and how they do it. I have quite good scores (1480/1600 – easily going to raise it to 1550 for next exam, in fact scoring higher on actual practice tests) and am seriously considering this school.</p>

<p>I do doubt, however salivating the program is, the employability of such a degree. I do plan on completing a Masters degree, but I am doubtful of how well this program will prepare me for several fields that a more mainstream college experience would provide. </p>

<p>I want to keep my options for an MD open, but I am sure summer o-chem courses that supplement the actual seminars at St. John’s will suffice. However, I have been fairly interested in economics lately, and am intrigued by pursuing an econometrics based degree.</p>

<p>Furthermore, I am interested in computer science. In the traditional university, I would be able to do a Math Major along with the appropriate electives/minors that would allow me to satisfy all of these interests. However in depth and enlightening St. John’s math may be, however, I doubt it can nearly live up to the full throttle math that might be provided by a university or an LAC.</p>

<p>For example, as per the course descriptions, St. John’s begins non-traditional and advanced mathematics (relativity/non-Euclidean geometry) in Senior year. And while by no means am I saying I am well versed in the classical mathematics pursued throughout (using great books such as Elements and Principia Mathematica), I do believe I have enough of a grasp on this to at least begin the advanced mathematics (MV calc, Linear alg., stochastic methods etc etc etc etc.) that are required by an econometric or CS based major.</p>

<p>Other schools I am considering include:
–Deep Springs,
–Uchicago,
–Cooper Union,
–Oxford joint major in CS/Phil,
–LSE:
-“Philosophy, Logic, and the Scientific Method”
-“Econometrics and Mathematical Economics”,
–Reed
–Duke
–Grinnell
–MIT
–Some ivies.</p>

<p>The ones I’ve mentioned explicitly (Deep Springs especially) are my “dreams” though. </p>

<p>The St. John’s course amazes me, and I really need someone to tell me that I will be able to keep my vocational options open after graduation in the afore-mentioned fields–or any other mathematically intensive field such as engineering.</p>

2

<p>Bump? Can anyone help?</p>

3

<p>I wish I could reassure you of your dream, however with your strong interest in computer science, math, medicine, and economics, I recommend you review UChic, Duke, MIT and the Ivies. You will have plenty of course breadth to fulfill your interest in the great books, while having the flexibility to change majors or keep a minor in a polar opposite field.</p>

4

<p>Damnit! I’d be thrilled to go to any of the schools you’d listed, though. I really am praying for Deep Springs–hopefully I can shine through. </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

5

<p>Why don’t you share your concerns with St. John’s – maybe both SF & Annapolis re grad school acceptances and preparation? Don’t accept vague assurances. Of course it is great for law school prep.</p>

<p>Deep Springs with its size and isolation is not for everyone. If you are meant to be there, you will probably get in.</p>

<p>Seems like Duke, MIT, and the ivies are outliers on your list. If I were at DS and saw you were also applying to Duke, I would really wonder which school is the actual <em>fit</em> for you.</p>

6

<p>

With a 6-12% acceptance rate and a 90-100% yield rate I think I’ll need more than just my passion to be in that kind of an environment. Their CRM middle 50% range is 750-800 for god’s sake!</p>

<p>As for the fit? I feel truly feel like I can fit in a wide range of schools. HYP and Uchicago have the biggest crossover in applicants (even more so after the transfer) with DS. I relish the idea of DS–the intellectual curiosity, the work, and the million other things that make it so unique–but I also love the atmosphere of Durham/Chapel Hill. Maybe it’s because I lived there for five years, but I love it.</p>