St Olaf College Reviews

"I am currently a med student who attended STO as an undergrad. The chemistry department does not curve, putting st Olaf students at a disadvantage in medical school admissions. Most schools curve. The HPC also ranks you at the end of sr year and if you are ranked in the lower half of the class, it also negatively impacts your medical school admissions. I took organic chemistry 2 at st Olaf and received an F, I retook the class at UW-Madison and received the exact same numerical grade. I received an A for that same score at UW madison. I was lucky to have great mentors and access to a medical research position that allowed me to get into med school, despite the disadvantages of graduating from st Olaf. Save yourself the tuition money and go to a big ten school where there is a curve in place."

"I am very thankful for the professors in the Sociology and Anthropology Department at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. They opened a whole new world for me. Additionally, I was very involved in the Dance Department and to Veselica International Dance Ensemble, to which I owe a lot. Overall, I did enjoy my four years at St. Olaf College. However, I do not agree with the way in which the administrators and those in charge (including some benefactors and more) choose to run St. Olaf. Students at St. Olaf have a lot of passion, and it is my experience that they continue to fight for a better-run St. Olaf."

"St. Olaf College is a wonderful community to be a part of. It is considered one of the "Midwest Ivies," along with Carleton College and Macalester. Once you're an Ole, you're an Ole for life. The academic curriculum is extremely rigorous, the facilities are top-notch, and the faculty become your family."

"St. Olaf is an excellent place for students to continue their education. It provides a very hands on and personal style of learning. Because of the small student to faculty ratio, students are able to develop personal relationships with their professors, this relationship allows students to get the full attention of their professors. The school also provides rigorous curriculum, challenging even the brightest of students. Overall, St. Olaf gives students an excellent education that provides close interactions with professors and tough academic rigor that allows students to grow to their highest potential."

"St. Olaf was a high-quality liberal arts education with all that entails - access to professors, small class sizes, and many career and other student services. It is a smaller school, don't come here for a vocational track. GE requirements will ensure that you have to take a wide variety of classes from theology to science. If you don't want that, don't come here."

"Saint Olaf is expensive, but worth the price considering the four year experience; not to mention the long-term benefits outweigh the upfront cost."

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at St. Olaf and thought it was very worthwhile for me to go there. The professors I worked with were dedicated to teaching their students to be responsible citizens and good people. The students I met there (one of whom is now my partner) grew to be some of my best friends. The natural lands and opportunities for staying active are wonderful. And the food is great!"

"Small and friendly Midwestern college, great music program, great languages programs."

"St. Olaf gave a high quality, traditional liberal arts education. Have to take a lot of general ed credits, so avoid if you're looking for a more vocational/career-specific degree, or if you don't want to take classes in every area. Professors are generally smart, engaged, and approachable."

"St. Olaf is a place I will always call home. The community that is fostered on campus allows for all students to flourish both in and out of the classroom. Everyone is friendly and welcoming all the time! The academic rigor was appropriate and engaging at all times, and the professors made the learning experience unique. I've always enjoyed being a student, but the St. Olaf experience has left me craving knowledge from all perspectives and in all environments. It has made me a life-long learner, and I am so grateful."