Reviews

Naropa is a place of contemplative learning. This means that students aren't forced to stuff a bunch of information in their brains, memorize it, and then spit it back out on a test only to forget about it the next week. That often happened in high school, but not here. Contemplative learning means actually thinking about what we are learning, processing it, and making sense of it for ourselves. It is creating a personal relationship with the class material and discovering how it connects to an individual's life. I feel that learning is only important if it makes an impact, and at Naropa it definitely does.

I am loving my time at Naropa. This is a very small campus, with many friendly and familiar faces. The teachers, staff, and students alike are very accepting of any time of diversity, and are the farthest thing from judgmental. I feel very at home and at peace with myself here. It is a very loving and open and caring environment. Teachers and students truly get to know each other.

I won't lie, Naropa is expensive. But so are most private colleges. The total cost is around $38,000 per year. But on the other hand, Naropa was generous in the grant they gave me, and along with scholarships it's not as bad. The atmosphere here makes up for the money, and even though I'm taking out a lot in loans, I would rather be here than any other college. The school is great, the city is great, and it's all worth the extra money that I don't have.

If you have the means to do so, take a visit to the campus, talk to a staff member, and sit in on a class. That will give you a good idea of how Naropa is run. Don't be afraid of talking with a teacher here and asking the questions you want to know. Naropa also has a lot of unique activities and speeches going on, and if you get a chance definitely go to one. This will show you the ambiance of the place and the people who go here. I have yet to meet an unfriendly student on this campus, so talk to them!

The most obvious thing to say is that this school is perfect for anyone who was the oddball in high school. If you were any sort of outcast, reject, loner, or otherwise ostracized person, you'll fit right in at Naropa. Jocks and cheerleaders don't really exist here. Individuality is highly valued in the Naropa community. Also, LGBTQIA (gay, etc..) people are very accepted here and are treated with respect. Naropa is a very safe place for people of those identities, and even in classes we address such issues very openly and respectfully.

Naropa is an extremely unique school that is on the cutting edge of contemplative education.
I've never found another school that values unique, individual, and specific interests in curriculum before.
It's invaluable for whole-self-discovery.

Unique place, not a traditional North American style university. Research it, ask current students questions, e-mail, skype, call, and see if this is the kind of higher education institution for you.

It's an entirely different type of academic rigor. Scantron tests, standardization and regurgitation of information is not a part of the academic process at Naropa. This school asks you to look at yourself, apply yourself to the questions being asked and present yourself wholly. Totally different. It is what you make of it.

Good food, too expensive. This we need to work on. [on campus]
Off campus, one can find reasonable meals.

Depends on what you like to do. On campus, visit the green house, take some tai chi or yoga classes, go for a hike.

I think this school is priceless for what it delivers. I have yet to attend a school that pays so much attention to individual needs, meets with students who have questions, works with you if you have a problem or want to change something about the system or school, innovative, looks at the individual for their own desires, creative curriculum.

Lots of meditation. Hanging out on the green always happens. You will see people practicing Tai Chi on the green.

Untraditional, like learning in group settings, communication +, open-minded, enjoy contemplative practices, open-minded, okay with people from diverse backgrounds, enjoy small, intimate classes, hold an interest in a provided major, self-motivated, artistic, hippy, alternative, activist, buddhist, meditator, martial artist, environmentalist, outdoor enthusiast.

Very interesting and unique clubs. Students can absolutely create their own clubs rather easily.

Non-existent.

I feel safe there. It's a very small campus, so there aren't many people who wander on there.

Naropa provides an opportunity for self reflection and personal growth, while encouraging interpersonal relationships and community involvement.
You are literally transformed into a new compassionate individual, fully capable and willing to thus transform the world for the better.
Naropa has offered insight into all walks of life, and provided the space to see life through another's perspective.

Be prepared to take a long, hard look at your life and your own choices to find true purpose and meaning to the work you will be doing in the future.

Although Naropa isn't a traditional education setting, the classes and coursework are equally challenging - perhaps even more so, because not only are you expected to learn facts and textual information, but also be able to directly relate and practice what you learn in your own life. Everything taught has a tangible quality of realness and practical application - they are skills you will take with you and utilize for the rest of your life.

I live off campus, but have heard wonderful things about the on campus housing community and its student involvement.

Though tiny, Naropa's cafe offers quality meals and snacks, many of which are prepared from our own produce garden, and are dietary restriction friendly. There are options for carnivores, vegetarians, gluten haters, and vegans alike.

There's a wealth of things to do at Naropa, all of which are engaging and inspiring. There are discussion groups, yoga classes, acupuncture, outdoor adventures - you name it, Naropa offers it.

Most things at Naropa are unusual. Take for instance any one of our student groups, from Biophilia to plant spirit healers to Thai Massage to Paganist studies. All walks of life and interests are welcomed and encouraged, no matter how unusual.

Independent, free thinking, spiritually curious, committed, and compassionate with an eagerness to explore personal growth.

There's something for everyone at Naropa, where individuality is not only accepted, but encouraged.

Doesn't exist in the traditional sense

Naropa is easily the safest and friendliest tiny campus, where everyone coexists in a symbiotic relationship. The belief is that in hurting or disrespecting someone else, you are ultimately committing a crime against yourself and against humanity as a whole. It just doesn't exist at Naropa.