College of Saint Benedict Top Questions

My overall opinion about this school is that I LOVE IT! The people here are outstanding and wonderful, the atmosphere is what drew me in. You can look all around campus and there are countless groups of people walking around or conversations going on. Being that CSB/SJU have such small campus's and classroom sizes it really helps to meet alot of people that you have something in common with easier. Getting to know your teachers is something that you won't have to question if it will happen, because you will. The school pride at this school is incredible, especially when it comes to Johnnie football! The games are such an excitement to go to, and alot of the student body participates. An experience that I will remember was my first Tommie/Johnnie football game was at SJU and the stands were packed with a record number of people there ever. It was insane and I will never forget it. One most frequent student complaint I would have to say is the requirement for CSB students to live on campus for all four years. Which really does suck, I have to be honest. I don't agree with it at all, especially when there is a perfectly good town to find a house to live in. But overall CSB/SJU is a fantastic school, so happy with my choice to come here!

I LOVE the College of Saint Benedict. Everyone is outgoing and friendly. We are such a unique community in that we all really bond together and support each other. So when something goes wrong, we are able to hold each other up. For example, a student's parents died and there was a prayer service held and an email sent out to the student body to make them aware of this. The size of the school is great because you know a lot of people, but it's not like high school where you know everyone, so there is still that chance to meet new people every day. I think the other great thing about our school is that we aren't a "suitcase campus," meaning everyone stays on campus during the weekends. This is great for me because I live 6 hours away and can't go home every weekend. And because of all of the groups on campus, there are always concerts to go to and other events on campus to go to so you are never bored.

I could not have been happier at any other college or university. This school has opened TONS of doors for me for future job opportunities. I have made life long freindships with genuinely nice and motivated people. St. Bens and St. John's challenges students academically, and opens doors for students to get involved social justice.

I am in love with this school. The best thing is the sense of community throughout the student body we have here and the high drive and expectations from teachers. If I could change one thing, I would make sure the school paid more attention to promoting the school itself and their academics, because they really have a very good academic record, but while applying I hardly heard anything about it. My school is just right for me. It's small and intimate, but it's set only a few miles away from Saint Cloud (a large city) and only an hour away from Minneapolis and Saint Paul, so if I ever feel the need to "get out", it's very easy. When I tell people I go here, they don't know where it is. On campus I spend a lot of time everywhere. Probably most of my time in the science building (Ardolf Science Center), because that's where most of my classes are. Outside of class time I'm always with my friends, or working out, or going to ballroom dancing, or something fun like that. We're definitely located in a college town. Saint John's is a town in itself! I love the school's administration. Both schools administration officials really make an effort to make themselves known and present around campus, and even as a first year I can recognize both the presidents of the campuses if I saw them around. The biggest controversies on St. Ben's campus is if we should completely cut out selling plastic water bottles on campus to achieve our "green" goals for the future, and if our diplomas should only say "College of Saint Benedict" on them, or "College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University" (since the two are so interconnected). There is an EXTREME amount of school pride. I believe the students here truly consider this one of the best schools in the nation. Something unusual about our schools is that we have such a unique partnership with each other. It honestly is one of a kind, and I don't think there's any other like it. I will remember the entire experience of being at this college forever. Something that sticks in my mind is the first time a Johnnie gave up his seat on the bus for me. I was so extremely flattered, and I didn't even know men did that anymore! The most frequent student complaint is probably that we can no longer buy things from the book store and charge them to our tuition account using our student ID.

Our school is the perfect size, we are still diverse but you could have someone in a class your first year and have four other classes with them before you graduate by chance. You recognize faces. The biggest recent controversy would have to be the sex scandal with the Abbey. Some monks from the prep school (which is on campus, but separate from campus, so we don't see much of the prep school) were accused of molesting students like 20 years ago. That is usually a big problem for some people looking at our school but it really isn't a problem. There is a lot of Johnnie pride, not so much Blazer pride. This is probably due to the fact that the Johnnies are far more well known. Johnnie football is unbelievably huge, everyone goes to the game and we were even rated as one of the top ten places to watch football by ESPN right next to schools like Purdue. An unusual thing about our schools are that they are reportedly haunted. Supposedly we are on a list of the top ten haunted campuses or something like that. There are plenty of ghost stories to tell. It's probably just because our campuses are so old (SJU est. 1857 CSB est. 1914). One experience I'll always remember is the Tommie Johnnie game my first year. It was here and it was not only Tommie Johnnie but it was homecoming, it drew a crowd of over 16,000. It was a close game all the way through, we ended up going into overtime. Tommies scored and made the extra point, we came back and scored... the ball was kicked for the extra point, hit the post and bounced out. We lost the game by 1 point. It was the first Tommie Johnnie game we've lost in a long time and the first homecoming we've lost in 50 years (or something like that). We all just stood there in silence, watching the Tommies storm the field and planting their flag on the 50 yard line, right in the middle of the huge SJU in the middle of the field. Worst. Day. Ever.

I love my school so much! I am a Biology major with a minor in Pre-Pharmacy. The classes that you will take are very challenging but with a good amount of studying and preparation you can do very well. One thing that I highly appreciate is that our professors are very willing to help you in class as well as outside of the classroom. If you are stuggling they want to help you get right back on track. The community feeling of the campus is one my favorite aspects of the college. Having a boys and a girls campus seems to be a negative at first, but it is great to have 2 of everything (libraries,gyms,classrooms). There are plenty of clubs and organizations to get involved in no matter what your interests are!

As a Biochemistry major (Pre-med intent), I feel that my classes are challenging me, yet I am not becoming frustrated because I can't keep up with the class. All of my Profs are approachable at anytime and are willing to help if I ask. Here--I am not just a number--and all of my teachers and classmates know my name. The science department is overall very challenging and provides a great education. This school also competes at the D3 level so I am also able to participate as a member of the Golf team. I will also be playing in the Symphonic Band and a member of the Pre-Med club. Whatever your interests, you can get involved with as much or as little as you like.

CSB/SJU is just the right size school. It is small enough that professors can build relationships with their students and understand their interests, but big enough that our institution has the opportunity to offer a wide range of courses, activities, intramurals, etc. Our school is known for its tight kit community--everyone looking out for each other.

First of all, CSB is THE BOMB! I love it here. I'm from Upstate New York and I hardly get homesick because I love it here so much, I can't even imagine going anywhere else! I don't even think that I could pick just one aspect and name it the best. Some nice things are that we have two of everything here. We have two libraries, two gyms, four places to eat on campus, and this is all for a small liberal arts school. Tell me where you can find that! Another "best" aspect is definitely the people! You won't find better people anywhere else on the face of this earth, I can tell you that much! Everyone is so nice and welcoming, I call this place my home now! I can't imagine not having the friends that I have now. Even people who you may not even know will come up and say hi, just because they want to! It's such a great place to be in and it's such a positive atmosphere! I love it!

I am a St. Ben's student born and raised. Coming from a mother and father, brother, sister and whole crew of relatives who attended this school, one may think I was destined to come here. I however was convinced otherwise, I refused to even look at the college initially because I wanted to do something different and do my own thing. However, in the college search it all came down to comfort. I realized this is where I felt at peace, I felt comfortable. Beyond that I realized that even having a history of family attending these schools I still can create my own path and be known for me and who I am and the things I have and will continue to accomplish. I love both of the campuses and there are a variety of places to study, meet friends and just hang out. There is really a club, group, sport, team, or activity for everyone if they choose. I love the atmosphere and the overall feel, walking around you see people you know and it's always nice to see a familiar face.

The students and faculty form such a supportive environment to learn and grow. Its such a gift to find such a perfect fit of a college for me with the moderately small student population, the amazing reputation, the community, the beautiful setting, and the challenging academics. There is not one thing I would change about this college and I LOVE IT!

It is one of the best private Catholic college in the nation! It offers a wide variety of resources to lots of great opportunities. The people are great and embrace the comfort of the small town community aspect. The education we get is great, for it compells us to become better and an inspiration for others. It is a great fit for most people and will challenge you intellectually and spiritually!

I absolutely love school here. I can't even say it enough. My favorite part about CSB/SJU is the people. I've met many life long friends who have made the experience wonderful. The professors are top-notch as well, helping in any way that they can. They definitely go above & beyond their job description. I have had SO many opportunities here as well. Studying abroad in London was a once in a lifetime experience and I gained so much knowledge and independence while abroad. I feel confident with my options in the future because I know that the strong network of alums will help in any way they can. As a senior, I am relieved to have Career Resources on campus because they have helped with my resume, interviewing skills and more. I will definitely turn to them when I start thinking about job options in the near future.

I could not imagine a better fit for me at my school. I LOVE everything about this school. As a tour guide, I am often challenged by the visitors' question of "What don't you like about your school?" The only thing I can say is that I don't like the way one of the science centers at SJU looks. I would just change it so that that building and the library are the same red brick as the other buildings on campus. I love this school for many reasons: the core curriculum/ liberal arts education, friendly and helpful faculty, small class sizes, the strong sense of community, the connections that you receive going into the job market, but most of all the ENDLESS amount of activities that our school provides. There is never a dull moment here. I also love where we are located in St. Joseph! It's got a lot of cute shops and is a friendly community. My friends that go to other schools say that I'm too "obsessed" with my school but in reality, I just think that I am enjoying my college experience to the fullest!

The best thing about the school is the partnership with Saint John's. This means that we have two of everything; two libraries, two main dinning halls, two recreational facilities, three science buildings and two of a lot of other things. My school is just right; it's small enough to see familiar people and have small classes,but it's big enough to where you can find people you have never seen before. when i tell people about my school they talk about our football and are curious about the unique partnership between Saint John's and Saint Ben's. I spent time everywhere around campus really. There is a lot of school pride; this is shown during football games, we have an average game attendance of around 8thousand. Our school size is 4thousand, so a lot of the extra attendance is by alumni and their families. I don't have any complains or haven't heard any from other students.

My overall opinion of CSB/SJU is very positive. I have such a love for this institution and what it has done for me. I have flourished into the woman I am today because of the opportunities I have been given. The best thing about this school is the community. I spend most of my time at the clemens library on campus. The experiences I will always remember are the friends that I have made.

CSB/SJU are great schools. The campus's are beautiful. The students and faculty are great.

When I tell people I go to St. Ben's, they often ask me why I would go to an all-women's school. I guess I technically go to a single-sex school, but it never feels like that. If St. John's wasn't here or we were seperated institutions, I would not be here. I love our two campuses and the people they attract are the reason why I am here and can call this place my home.

When I tell people I go to St. Ben's, they often ask me why I would go to an all-women's school. I guess I technically go to a single-sex school, but it never feels like that. If St. John's wasn't here or we were seperated institutions, I would not be here. I love our two campuses and the people they attract are the reason why I am here and can call this place my home.

I love this school. My favorite parts are the students, staff, and the community aspect. My school is the perfect size. I'd change the visiting hours and off-campus options if I could. People respect the fact that I go to CSBSJU. Most of my time is spent on homework and class related activities. St. Joseph is definitely a college town. I spend most of my time in academic buildings or libraries. Big recent controversies have been the bottle-less CSB policy and the new off campus policy at CSB. Lots of school pride. The unusual thing is the dual campus partnership. I'll remember all my friends. I'd say the most frequently complained about thing here is the visiting hours.