Why St. John’s College May Be the Most Unique College in America
Annapolis, Maryland & Santa Fe, New Mexico

If your idea of a perfect college includes reading Einstein and Plato in their original form, discussing Supreme Court cases in class, and possibly becoming a national champion in croquet, then St. John’s College might be the school you didn’t know you were searching for.

With just 500 students on its waterfront Annapolis campus and another 400 at its mountain-set campus in Santa Fe, New Mexico, St. John’s College offers one of the most distinctive liberal arts experiences in the country. Students can even move between the two campuses during their four years—imagine spending two years near the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland, then two more in the artsy, high-altitude landscape of New Mexico.

A College for Thinkers, Readers, and Debaters

Founded in 1696, St. John’s is the third oldest college in the U.S., and its academic program is just as steeped in tradition. Every undergraduate student follows the exact same curriculum—there are no majors. Instead, students progress through the Great Books program, reading over 200 influential works spanning Western civilization, from Homer to Virginia Woolf, Galileo to Einstein, Augustine to Freud. These aren’t textbooks—students read original texts and discuss them in small, seminar-style classes of no more than 21 students.

And yes, everyone talks. Every class is discussion-based, with “tutors” (St. John’s word for professors) guiding conversations instead of lecturing. You won’t find a “sage on the stage” here—there isn’t even a special chair for the tutor. Everyone sits in a circle, uses last names, and engages equally. It’s a campus where deep thinkers thrive and conversations about ideas spill into mealtimes and dorm lounges.

A Curriculum Like No Other

  • Languages: All students study both Ancient Greek and French.
  • Labs: Science is taught using primary sources too—students experiment with tools like the Ptolemy Stone and progress through labs as scientific thought evolved.
  • Arts & Music: Choir is required in freshman year; music theory follows in sophomore year.
  • Traditions: The pendulum pit is a campus landmark. Each week, students gather to sing the school song there.
  • Grading: Students receive grades, but they’re not shown unless a student requests them, which helps reduce academic competition.

A Place Where Ice Cream (and Ideas) Flourished

A fun fact: ice cream was first introduced to America at St. John’s—strawberry, to be exact! But beyond desserts, the college has an enduring legacy. McDowell Hall, a prominent building on campus, was originally intended as the home of Maryland’s colonial governors. One famous alumnus? Francis Scott Key, who wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Life Outside the Classroom

While traditional sports aren’t a major focus, the Annapolis campus is proud of its national championship croquet team. The school also offers sailing and crew, fitting for a campus set right on the water.

Most students live on campus, and the college’s small size creates a close-knit, highly intellectual community. Many students are politically diverse, with about 10% coming from homeschool backgrounds, and around 30% receiving Pell Grants. There’s a strong LGBTQ+ presence, and the college draws students from all 50 states and about 20% international backgrounds.

The Application Process: Show What You Think

St. John’s is on the Common App, but don’t expect the usual process. The most important part of your application is an essay on a book you consider “great” and why. The admissions team and faculty carefully read each essay, looking for students who can engage in spirited (but respectful) discussion. There’s even an alternative application path where you join a live, discussion-based interview instead of submitting standard essays and forms.

The school has a 50% acceptance rate and places strong emphasis on “fit” rather than just stats. It shares overlap with schools like the University of Chicago, Swarthmore, Reed, and Bard.

What Happens After Graduation?

With such a rigorous education, it’s no surprise that about 70% of St. John’s students go on to graduate school. The college is one of the nation’s highest per-capita producers of PhDs. Students also commonly pursue law, public service, business, or writing. Every student receives guaranteed funding for at least one summer internship, and there are study abroad opportunities as well.

A Thoughtful, Timeless Education

During a time when higher education often emphasizes pre-professionalism, St. John’s College stands apart. It’s a place for students who want to ask big questions, explore deep ideas, and read the texts that shaped the world.

You won’t find social media influencers dominating the quad, but you will find passionate, curious minds who are just as excited about discussing Euclid as they are about debating Dostoevsky.

If you are looking for an education that’s as challenging as it is rewarding — and a college that feels more like a Socratic circle than a lecture hall — St. John’s might be worth a closer look.