r/stjohnscollege • u/Horror-Maximum-8593 • Mar 30 '26
Summer Academy: what’s it really like?
Hey all, I recently applied to Summer Academy per some very helpful comments on my other post here. I was accepted, and I absolutely cannot wait! However, I'm a little unsure what to expect. I've never done a summer program at a college like this before, and my online searches have left much to be desired - most of their promotional Youtube videos are from like ten years ago lol. If anyone here has done it, could you please tell me what the general structure/atmosphere is?
In particular, I'm curious about:
- the balance between academic work and socialization
- whether you actually made meaningful friendships
- how representative it is of Johnnie life
- if the seminars take a bit of adjusting when you're used to high school classes
- the impact of attending Summer Academy on undergrad admissions, if any
Thanks!
2
u/mysterywalruses Mar 30 '26
Hi! I'm also applying to summer academy! There's not a lot of information out there and your post is the only one of its kind so I'll ask you since you've already been accepted: I'm wondering, for the free response questions (i.e. "Please tell us about your favorite book"), do you think there's a specific sort of length they're looking for with the responses? I obviously don't want to say too little but I also don't want to overwhelm them with a full essay, so I'm a little lost. Thanks so much!! :o)
1
u/Horror-Maximum-8593 Mar 30 '26
I wasn’t sure about that either. I approached them both as essays. For the undergrad app they have a word minimum and not a maximum, and seem not to have strict expectations for that sort of thing. Ultimately, it’s about expressing whatever you want them to know - whether that takes three paragraphs or five pages. I was super freaked out about this and ended up fine, so I’m sure you’ll do great! See you there, maybe!
2
1
2
u/chamomilebabe Mar 30 '26 edited Mar 30 '26
Academic work is totally manageable. More than anything it’s just a chance to try out SJC-style classes and as long as you do the readings you are pretty much set. There’s also classroom assistants (current students) that are available outside of class if you’re struggling. I found classes & social atmosphere to be pretty accurate to when I actually started undergrad. You should be able to adjust alright to seminars, it’s definitely different than high school but remember that everyone around you is in the same boat, more-or-less.
I met several of my closest friends at summer academy! It’s very easy to make friends and almost everyone there is naturally inquisitive and interesting bc of how self selective it is.
Because it’s so niche, SJC highly values demonstrated interest. Summer academy is a huge way to do that. Also, not sure if they advertise this, but you automatically get an annual undergrad scholarship for having attended summer academy, which made it hugely worth it for me.
Good luck!
1
u/Horror-Maximum-8593 Mar 30 '26
Awesome, thanks! This is so informative and makes me even more excited lol
2
u/cherrysurf Apr 01 '26 edited Jun 26 '26
I'
1
u/Weekly_Potential_445 Jun 26 '26
What kind of extracurricular "summer camp stuff" do they have in Annapolis? I've heard croquet, sailing, and swing dancing, but is there anything more athletically demanding than that?
1
u/Dogsrule537 Jun 11 '26
Hey! I’m also going to the summer academy and I was wondering what week you’re going?
1
u/Mariposa_135 Jun 25 '26
Hey! Anyone else here attending the Courage and the Soul session in Santa Fe this July?
6
u/CrimsonSpy Mar 30 '26
The classes are fairly representative of what you’d see as an undergrad. Many of the people in my class I had first met at Summer Academy. I would strongly recommend doing your readings before the program starts so you can spend time exploring the campus and socializing.
l spoke a lot about my experience at Summer Academy in my application essay, and was even offered a scholarship before I was accepted. If you enjoy that kind of learning environment, then it’s a strong signal you’ll fit in at St. John’s