Overview
St. John's College is a moderately selective private four-year institution in Annapolis, Maryland. The school accepts 49.9% of applicants and enrolls 488 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 49.9%
- Average SAT
- 1,355
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,250–1,460
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 32
- Total Enrollment
- 488
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
St. John's College requires no standardized test scores and evaluates applications based entirely on four essays that replace the traditional personal statement. Your essays must demonstrate your ability to engage with complex texts and ideas, since the entire curriculum revolves around reading and discussing great books from Plato to Einstein in small seminars.
Write your essays to show how you think about big questions rather than listing accomplishments. The admissions committee wants to see your intellectual wrestling with ideas, not your resume. Address the prompts directly and avoid generic responses about leadership or community service unless they genuinely connect to philosophical or literary themes.
The Great Books program means every student takes the same courses for four years, progressing chronologically through Western thought and science. You'll read original texts only, no textbooks or secondary sources. Classes average twelve students with two faculty tutors who guide Socratic discussions rather than lecture. Math classes work through Euclid's Elements with compass and straightedge.
Students who struggle at St. John's typically expect traditional college coursework or want to specialize early. The program demands comfort with ambiguity and abstract thinking. You'll spend four years asking fundamental questions about truth, beauty, justice, and knowledge without arriving at definitive answers.
The campus culture centers on intellectual conversation that continues outside class. Students debate Aristotle over dinner and attend evening lectures on topics like "What is Number?" Social life revolves around discussion rather than typical college parties, though the school does host formal events like Reality Weekend and the annual waltz party.
Apply early decision if St. John's is your clear first choice, as the school admits a higher percentage of early applicants. The regular decision deadline allows you more time to craft thoughtful essays. Since the school practices rolling admissions for regular decision, submit your application as early as possible in the cycle.
Focus your essays on genuine intellectual interests rather than trying to impress. The admissions committee can distinguish between authentic engagement with ideas and performative intellectualism. Your ability to think deeply about the essay prompts matters more than your conclusions.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $27,934/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $39,126
- Students Receiving Aid
- 22%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 67.4%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,584/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 88.5%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does St. John's College require SAT or ACT scores for admission?
St. John's College has a test-optional admissions policy. Students can choose whether or not to submit standardized test scores as part of their application.
What is the St. John's College Great Books curriculum?
St. John's College follows a prescribed Great Books curriculum where all students read the same classic texts and participate in small discussion-based seminars. There are no majors or electives in the traditional sense.
Can you transfer credits to St. John's College?
St. John's College has very limited transfer credit policies due to its unique four-year Great Books program. Most transfer students must complete the full four-year curriculum regardless of previous college work.
Does St. John's College offer early decision or early action?
St. John's College offers early action with a November 15 deadline. The college does not have an early decision program.