Academics

St. Olaf College is highly-ranked in academics. The math and science programs are highly regarded. The college has a wonderful new science building and a Biomedical Studies Concentration that can go with any major. St. Olaf College has a strong liberal arts tradition. One learns to integrate subjects and so doing becomes more creative in solving problems, which is a necessary skill in post-college careers. The music programs are top-notch and the ensembles are nationally recognized.

St. Olaf College is also ranked ninth among US baccalaureate colleges in the number of graduates who earn doctorates, especially in the fields of math/statistics, religion/theology, music, arts, medical sciences, physical sciences, chemistry, life sciences, education, social services, and foreign languages. St. Olaf College is known for producing Fulbright Fellows and Rhodes Scholars as well as preparing students for medical school. About 80 percent of graduating seniors who apply to medical school are accepted, compared to a national average of 49-50 percent.

Classes are relatively small so students recieve more attention than many other schools. The professors are all brilliant and very much respected in their fields.

This is a challenging school, with of course some majors being more rigorous.

This is not a cake-walk, but it's not impossible either. Everything you are taught has an application in life, that's the beauty of a Liberal Arts education. It takes being a good student to get in here in the first place, so odds are if you're admitted, you're easily cut out for the academic side of life here.

You have to work hard to do well at this school. Professors hold their students up to these high standards because they want to help us be better thinkers and develop our own understandings. This school is not invested in training you for a specific career but this Liberal Arts education prepares you for life and beyond. It gives you the tools to operate the 2/3 of your life when your not working.

St. Olaf is no easy school. It's often referred to as the Harvard of the Midwest.

Academically, Saint Olaf is very rigorous. Professors expect very much from their students, and students definitely rise up to the challenge. Saint Olaf has an Honor Code in place, which means that it is up to the student's honor in the classroom; for example, the professor is never present during an exam, and students must sign the honor pledge before turning it in.

The cool thing about Olaf is that YOU decide how hard you want to work and what grades you want to get. The professors give you the tools but you are the one that puts the work in, and usually everyone wants to do well here. It is a neat environment to be in!

You will work your butt off to get an A. This institution is nothing like high school so get ready to work.