College of Saint Benedict Top Questions

Yes! Professors always know your name here. The "General" classes cap at 35 and don't have any Teacher's Assistants, so they are very intimate. My Greek class only has 7 students and caps at 10! My favorite class has to be Chem Lab 201. The professor is extremely friendly and funny, and lab is fun. He is helpful and so are the lab assistants. My least favorite class is my flute lesson, but that's just because I don't want to practice. Students study every day. Usually the homework load isn't insane, but it's enough to be doing a bit every night to keep up to date on the coursework. Class participation is very common. In my First Year Seminar (similar to English) class, we often have such good discussions that we end up debating and discussing past the end of the class period. Intellectual conversations outside of class are also popular. Especially so within First Year Seminar classmates. We often talk about a book we have been reading or a point our teacher made outside of class. Students are somewhat competitive, but I have never been in or heard of a situation where there are any negative feelings towards each other. My most unique class is Ancient Greek. We translate Greek myths, along with the gospel of Luke and some of Plato's works. My major is an American Chemical Society Certified Chem Major. Our chemistry department is phenomenal, and all of the professors offer research opportunities, even to first years. Also, as chemistry majors, we are guaranteed a research opportunity our senior year. I sometimes go see my professors after class, but they do a very good job teaching inside of class so I never feel like I need much help. I think the academic requirements to come here should be higher. It is obviously a prestigious school, and the expectations from students should also be high. Some students change their major to an "easier" one, and I don't think that that's the right mentality to have when studying for your future. The education at this school is more geared towards learning for its own sake. With a liberal arts education, students have so many more opportunities in this world because they know so many different things. This in itself helps a student be more competitive in the job market. The school realizes that 18 year olds coming into college don't know what they want to do for a job, and even seniors might not know what they want to do, and young people shouldn't always have to worry about working right when they come into college. The school does a good job of helping to educate students so they can make the right decisions when it comes to graduate school.

As a Biology major with a minor in Pre-Pharmacy, my first semester of classes have been challenging. The professors are very willing to help you in any way possible and are very approachable! Overall, the classes are difficult but if you put time and effort into them you can do very well! Also, at St. Bens and St. Johns, you get to know your professors on a more personal level and you aren't just a number--they will know your name and keep up on how you are doing in the class!

We have a great sense of community that all the students, professors, and faculty participate in. Classes are capped at 35 students, so no big lecture hall settings. You get to know not only your classmates, but your professor as well. Most professors here like to be called by their first name. At the end of your 4 years at CSB/SJU when applying to graduate schools or jobs you'll have up to 32 professors you can go to as a reference. They welcome students into their offices to chat about anything, they'll get coffee with you, they love that interaction with their students. Most classes have a participation grade, but the professor takes into account the type of class and their teaching style when it comes to weight of the participation grade, if it's a primarily lecture based class where the only participation would come from asking questions, they won't punish for not asking questions. When it comes to competitive students it really depends on whether they're competitive in nature or not, but it isn't much of a problem here. I am a psychology major which provides me with a lot of opportunities to not only learn but to help my professors with their own research, getting practice in the field as early as a sophomore. We do have a requirement of two theology courses (one lower division and one upper division), since we are a catholic school, but the upper division courses cater more to personal interest within religion, whether it be islam or women in the bible, or just learning about other religions.

As a Biochemistry Major, I am in Bio, Chem, FYS (First Year Seminar-a Freshman Class which focuses on writing, discussion, research, and public speaking), and Gender Studies. The Science department has been changed especially in the Chem department. Instead of just having Gen Chem your first year, they also incorporate Organic Chem with Gen Chem in the Freshman class. I have loved my science profs--McIntee for Chem and Jensen for Bio, they are very helpful and great teachers.

First starting school, I thought that I would be way behind the game just because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, I thought I wanted to be a physical therapist but I was dead set on it. But coming here, it's almost better to come undecided because then you get to experience all the courses here at St. Ben's. I believe that no matter where you go to college, it's going to be different then high school. It's all about time management and CSB helps our students out with any kinds of questions they may have. We're also a small school and professors are super easy to contact and meet with. It's nice that our professors know us by name and not a number. We can easily get access to any resource to help us get through any trials.

The academics are realistic and can apply to our daily lives. The academic curriculum is doable but yet challenging where it creates a positive learning environment. Professors are always willing ot meet outside of class to further explain topics.

College is the best four years of your life, at least that is what everyone has been telling me. How I wondered can 70 minutes of class twice a day everyday provide for some of the best times ever had? Obviously those people meant the experiences outside of class would be giving me the most fun, however withing my experience at these schools I have had some of my most memorable times within the classroom. The class sizes are small enough to provide you with what I think to be a necessary professor to student and well as student to student ratio and closer relationships. Professor availability is huge and my prof's know who I am and are always willing to give me the tools to get where I need to be. There is also a definite feel among students on campus to do well. The general consensus is that we are here for academics first and that is something that I really like. It provides for a nice push from your peers on the days you aren't always feeling so motivated.

Awesome, because there are small class sizes and great conversations with professors. Most classes often are engaged in meaningful and critical discussions about current issues and the future! The small class allow you to build a connection with your professor and encourages students to ask for help and questions when they encountered difficulties! It is a comforting atmosphere filled with joy of learning and helping others!

The academics here are definitely challenging. It was a big jump coming from a college-prep high school, but after about a semester I learned many new studying techniques and time management skills. It's all about managing your time and using your resources. I have taken advantages of many resources here on campus, especially the writing and math centers. IN addition, I frequently meet with professors to get the help that I need in certain classes. Professors are so available and willing to help, which makes it much easier to ask for assistance when struggling. In addition, they'll set you up with a tutor if you need frequent help. Although I have been challenged in many ways, it has paid off because of the academic growth that I have noted within myself. I am very proud of the writer and reader I've become here at CSB/SJU. As an Elementary Education major, I feel VERY confident in my future career path because of the academic preparation that I have experienced here at CSB/SJU.

I have to say the advantage of going to a liberal arts school is that sense of a well-rounded education that you just can't get anywhere else. I think that students leaving here are more marketable that others because they have taken college courses in nearly every subject. Furthermore, the professors here WANT you to succeed and WANT to get to know you! I have never gone more than a week in class without being on a first name basis with my professors. They are friendly and willing to help. Without the guidance of some of my teachers, I can honestly say I wouldn't be where I am academically today. As a Hispanic Studies (Spanish) major, I think the most valuable academic experience has been study abroad (which nearly everyone does here). There's nothing like learning a language from the country itself!

Average class size is 22. All classes are taught by professors and they all know my name. My favorite class is Modern philosophy. Our professor is very passionate about the topic and cares to hear about what we think about the topic as well. He invests a lot of time in grading our assignments and making sure we understand. Class is discussion based and everyone is pretty involved in participating. It's easy to participate with a small class size. I personally have intellectual conversations outside of class all the time; especially after philosophy. My classmates and i further the discussion over lunch. I am a psychology major. i don't spend much time with my professors outside of class but i know that if i ever need them i can stop by their office anytime or set up an appointment. I feel that the school requirements are reasonable and help me study other academic areas.

It is very "hands on". The professors know all the names of their students. They are very accessible and really care about their students educational experience.

Classes on the two campuses are wonderful. The average number of students in my classes this semester accounts to about 25 students and it's a perfect. I have the opportunity to really get to know my professors both on a formal level, because they are my professor, but also on a personal level because I'm able to build friendships with them. All of my professors know my name during the semester, but they also remember after I am no longer in their class. I know I can approach them with my questions and feel comfortable asking for verification on anything.

The academics at CSB/SJU are amazing. Professors make class interesting and worth going to. Professors are also fabulous at making time to meet with students outside of class and helping them with anything.

Academics here are pretty intense. I have a lot of tough classes at the same time, and I need to spend a lot of time studying in order to keep up. Classroom time is always spent well, and the classroom participation is fabulous. My professors know my name and a lot about me. I tend to spend time with them even outside of class.

Last semester, all of my professors knew my name (usually learn them by making photo flashcards, and know them by a few classes in). Students study at different levels, depending on major and desire/motivation. The library is usually quite busy on week nights, but you can always find a place to study. Students are fairly competitive, especially in the nursing, pre-med, and other pre-professional areas of study. However, it is very common to see study groups throughout campus. I didn't spend a whole lot of time with professors outside of class, but was able to have coffee with my theology professor, which was a great experience.

I've never had a class with more than about 30 students and I love this about our school. Professors have always encouraged me to come see them if I need help, and you are hurting yourself if you don't! I feel that this goes both ways; if you don't participate in class or get help when necessary, then you are asking to get a less-than-stellar grade. Most students double major and it's great that they make graduating in 4 years a priority. I am able to double major, I studied abroad and I still have wiggle room in my schedule (and none of my AP credits transferred). The Career Resource Center is a great place to take advantage of. They are always offering seminars on majors you may be interested in, and bring in major companies like Target to conduct interviews on campus. You can leave CSB with a job if you'd like, but I think that many students leave with wanderlust to travel the world because so many of us have studied abroad!

Do profs know your name?: yes, usually by the second or third class My favorite class: First Year Seminar was a blast! Least Favorite class: physics for life sciences How often do students study?: depends LARGELY on your major and also your worth ethic/desire Are students competitive: in my experience with the pre-med and pre-dent students, YES Most unique class I have taken: FYS I am a chemistry major. At CSB-SJU this is a very difficult major. The profs are extremely knowledgeable about their subject and very devoted to it. The CSB-SJU chem majors are kind of like a family. We spend so much time in lab and class that we all get to know each other really well.

I know all of my professors by name, and they know me. I even have some of their home phone numbers! The school is filled with intellectual conversation inside and outside the classroom. The liberal arts requirements seem cumbersome at times, but employers know that when they hire a bennie or a johnnie, they are truly hiring a well rounded student!

CSB academic life is awesome. While no school has 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} amazing professors, CSB/SJU comes pretty darn close. So many times in my four years at St. Ben's I've had professors go out of their way to make my education sensational, with no personal gain for themselves other than the satisfaction of seeing another student succeed and take his or her education beyond the classroom. Across the board, CSB/SJU profs are awesome at having an open door policy and being willing to answer questions. Classes themselves are kept very small--my largest ever was 30 kids--and they're challenging but interesting. Communications and Management majors bear the brunt of the school's jokes as they are considered the slack majors but other than those, the majors here are highly respected and challenging in a fair, educational way. If you go to school here, you MUST study abroad--the programs are AWESOME and you're definitely missing out if you don't take advantage of the opportunity.