Across the street and world's away from The US Naval Academy,
St. John's College students all take the same courses for four years and there are no majors.
"What?" you say? Yes, it is true. Students take four years each of math, seminar (where they read the likes of Plato, Homer and the Bible), language (two years of Ancient Greek then two years of French), three years of science and a year of music. There are no elective classes and instead of textbooks, students read the original works. In math classes, students study the writings of mathematicians, seeking an understanding of concepts and foundations rather than crunching through problem sets. Professors are called tutors and they never lecture. Classes are always discussion and inquiry based and since students are taking the same classes, discussion naturally continues outside the classroom. Students have write an annual essay that grows in intensity and length each year and culminates in a senior essay that must be presented and defended. The work load at St. John's is described as "relentless but not crushing".
"Johnnies", as they are called, love to have fun too and have quite the reputation as croquet players, winning all but five of the last thirty-one matches with their buff Naval Academy neighbors. The Annapolis Cup is a favorite event on campus with elegant and outlandish costumes and picnics accompanying the croquet action.
St. John's is tiny, with 450 students on its beautiful campus in historic and quaint Annapolis Maryland. Several of the brick buildings are historic. St. John's also has a campus in Sante Fe, New Mexico with the same unique curriculum and students can spend a year at the other campus. The curriculum makes study abroad difficult and transferring into the college problematic.
St. John's would be a perfect place for a curious, philosophical student who wants to learn by talking and listening to others. Johnnies successfully advance to professional schools and graduate with finely tuned abilities to think critically and articulate their thoughts clearly.
"Johnnies", as they are called, love to have fun too and have quite the reputation as croquet players, winning all but five of the last thirty-one matches with their buff Naval Academy neighbors. The Annapolis Cup is a favorite event on campus with elegant and outlandish costumes and picnics accompanying the croquet action.