St. Olaf College
Location: Northfield, MN (rural, college town)
Size: 2, 988 students
Avg percent need-met: 95% (100% for incoming freshmen)
(merit scholarships here)
Acceptance rate: 47%
Middle 50% ACT: 28-33 **Test Optional for 2022-2023 Admissions Cycle**
Middle 50% SAT: 1240-1420 **Test Optional for 2022-2023 Admissions Cycle**
St. Olaf will give you a liberal arts education with a strong focus on classical appreciation. They emphasize global consciousness and service. Faculty maintain high expectations for students, but professors are approachable and compassionate. Community and club involvement are taken seriously, especially choir and music, which are very popular. The student body is close-knit and inquisitive.
Popular majors / known for: Biology, Economics, Mathematics, Political Science, Government, Visual and Performing Arts
Academic approach: Liberal arts. St. Olaf emphasizes “learning and doing” and “seeking creative solutions to global challenges.” Between semesters, St. Olaf has a one-month Interim, or January term, that allows students to dive deep into a single class or study abroad for a few weeks
CURI program allows students from any academic discipline to participate in paid summer undergraduate research
Health Scholars program enables students to conduct research at the Mayo Clinic
Fun facts: has the highest percent of students who study abroad; uses 100% carbon-free electrical power
Campus tradition: sledding down Old Main Hill in the winter on borrowed cafeteria trays
Music and Performing Arts Opportunities
St. Olaf has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1957. NASM accreditation ensures that schools are meeting national standards for music schools.
St Olaf has great music programs. Their choir was founded in the early twentieth century, and it has consistently been a top-notch choir that is well-known and respected across the country. Over the past century, they have toured all over the world!
Roughly one third of students are a part of a musical group on campus!
The theater department is also well known and great for students who want a good theater education without going for a BFA program.
Students who wish to pursue any major are still eligible for music scholarships as long as they take music lessons!
Application Details
RD deadline: January 15th
Early Action deadline: None
Supplemental essays: Yes, required
Application fee: $0
On Common App: Yes
CSS profile: Required, due March 1st. Priority deadline January 15th
Interviews: Important
School also featured in: Similar to Highly Selective - Yale, Christian-Affiliated Schools, Midwest Schools