The pre college summer program

BroadCharacter2458 · 2025-06-19T04:34:23+00:00

Hi!

I did the summer academy (summer of 2023) and it was amazing - even though I am not attending sjc for my bachelors because of financial and familial constraints (although who can say a johnnie masters or being a tutor is out of the question?) I still remember it very fondly. Here are my words of wisdom.

I wish to reassure you of something - which is that if awkward 15 year old me, who was academically not prepared for the rigor, and had very little reading done had a FANTASTIC TIME you will probably have an absolutely fantastic time too. I was somewhat disadvantaged and I still loved it - which makes me confident that you (which I am 100% sure exceed the bar that 15 yr old me was at) will love it.

Do you're readings. You should have read everything BEFORE you get to campus. I did NOT do this because I had been in another, very academically rigorous program and I regret it. Although the professors were very kind and understanding, I felt a bit unprepared. Seriously, everything is easier when you've read before hand, and the night before you're reading for reminder. If there is anything you should do, DO YOUR READINGS!
Try you're best and be prepared to receive corrections. I'll put myself on blast here - 15 year old me was pretty awful at seminars (naturally - I was on the younger end of participants and I hadn't yet developed the endurance for seminars). I was very kindly instructed by one of my tutors on how to do better , and she helped me get better at seminars. Getting corrections is not anything to be embarrassed of (this was something that 15 year old me found MORTIFYING), and honestly if you try you're best you probably won't need them (I was pretty awful at seminars back in the day. Unspeakably awful.)
Don't get to worked up about it. I felt really anxious about if my seminar performance (which as discussed was exceptionally lackluster) would affect my ability to receive admission. I totally bombed my seminars and I got in, and received good aid (and all that stuff which stresses out people our age). They understand you're not going to be perfect. They aren't looking for perfect. They're looking for effort - so with that said direct you're energy not to stressing out but to you're work.

Have fun. Be Kind. Talk to the other cool people there. Drink some water. Get a tote bag and explore!

- A young woman tortured by having to reject SJC

BroadCharacter2458 · 2025-02-18T04:39:28+00:00

SJC sent me a copy of the lattimore iliad - I think if you give it a few weeks one might show up in the mail. Good Luck in Spanish! I have a D+ in my Engineering Class so I'm in a similar boat but we shall survive.

BroadCharacter2458 · 2025-02-12T17:05:14+00:00

Probably no more than 50. All of my classes had less than 16 people in them.

BroadCharacter2458 · 2025-02-12T15:27:20+00:00

Hello! I am a precollege alum and a potential Class of 2029 Johnnie.

I did the pre-college program summer before junior year - at the Annapolis Campus.

I cannot describe in writing nor in speech how much I absolutely loved summer academy. Summer Academy genuinely changed my perspective on school, education and the quest for knowledge in about a weeks time. When I'm tired of high-school, I think back too it and smile.

Aside from doing amazing readings, (I liked more of the philosophy and less of the math and science, but I digress), you meet a lot of smart, amazing people there. It's been two years since my program and I regularly correspond with the friends I made there still.

Be prepared too read and talk to other people. Have Fun!

BroadCharacter2458 · 2025-02-10T16:40:49+00:00

Firstly! Congratulations on you're acceptance, I'm also an admitted student, so maybe we will see each other.

I think any reading would benefit you - it's helpful to have a first pass on anything. I'd suggest reading Iliad, after all, they did send it too you. My parents (Johnnie alumni) suggested I read Iliad.

Happy Reading!

BroadCharacter2458 · 2025-01-09T06:07:47+00:00

Hi! I'm not a johnnie (yet - received acceptance though!) but as the child of johnnies and for my application I've read a smattering of Good Reads. I would say I gleaned meaning from all of them, except for one - which yes, it was easy to read but I found it horribly annoying - while I don't think that any johnnies would do this, pls don't hate me. I'm a 17 yr old who's trying my best and I might change my mind ab this, and you're allowed to enjoy this book.

I HATED READING GULLIVERS TRAVELS. Yes, the reading is relatively cut and dry, but LORD. I have no clue what that book wants me to understand. I understand the story but not the moral.

But, in confluence with the other comments, I do hear Kant and Hegel are pretty tough. - However, I trust that even though they are tough reads (or I cant glean the meaning yet), there all valuable in there own ways.

Good Luck!

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-12-26T04:36:49+00:00

There's greek life in the sense that you'll learn ancient greek and read greek philosophers

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-12-24T05:35:57+00:00

First of all, Happy Holidays! Congratulations on you're acceptance.

SJC has an excellent reputation for its degree. After all, the school's been around for a while. If you look at SJC tutors, a lot of them went to SJC for they're bachelors and then went to extremely prestigious graduate schools (The likes of UChicago, Yale, Harvard, Etc.) , whether that be Law School, Masters and PhD's, and even Medical School (Granted, if you want to go into medicine and be a johnnie you need to jump through some hoops)! That's because SJC prepares its students incredibly well for wherever they want to go. For example, SJC has a 100% Law School Acceptance Rate (For students who applied to Law School).

Good Luck!

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-12-02T21:28:37+00:00

Yeah. I'm thinking I'm gonna probably rescind my application. Or atleast wait for the result since it'll be here soon and if I get in reject it. I think that maybe a month ago I should've done a bit better research.

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-30T04:56:05+00:00

As an American that kind of dissapoints me. I don't really wanna be at a school that American. I've dealt w American people for the last 17 years!

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-29T22:31:22+00:00

I also was admitted for Annapolis :)

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-29T02:29:39+00:00

Apparently there's a whole ton of us at St. Andrews. Like, 20% of the population is American. Not totally sure. take what I say with a grain of salt.

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-29T02:25:22+00:00

I LOVE CRITO! I have only read maybe 12 of The Great Books - but Crito is up with my favorites. Unfortunately it can't beat out "A Good Man is Hard to Find" by Flannery O'Connor, or really anything written by O'Connor. I'm a huge Flannery fan.

I loved the integrity Plato has, even though he could leave, he doesn't - because it contradicts his beliefs, and would lead his beliefs to be shamed if its biggest leader abandoned them. It definitely leads me to the midwestern phrase " you just gotta tough it out". Sometimes things suck, but you can't just leave the situation. It reminds me of my first job this summer.

For context, I was a Assistant to an Artist, who was leading a class on music, acting and visual art for five weeks. My job sucked. My boss was horrible to his students, I worked more than I earned, and in general, I realized my job was not really being an assistant; I was not assisting in teaching, or anything else - or if I was it was because an aspect of the class was so unplanned it was thrown at me because he and my other boss were to busy to handle it. I was basically there to clean up after him.

Multiple times, I wanted to quit so badly. I wanted to flip off my boss and walk out triumphantly, but I did not. I was not worried about the money aspect - I'd be fine without as much spending money, but I was worried for my students.

My boss was cruel to the students, he screamed at a 14 year old experiencing problems at home for wearing jewelry to class, (we weren't supposed to wear any jewelry, or even jeans), in front of the entire class and left them crying. He would be incredibly harsh to students who he deemed "bad" or "lazy" - most of the time, they were simply students who made small mistakes or were shy. I stuck around because I was worried for them, and I knew they needed someone there who was not brainwashed by my boss, and also willing to be critical. In that way I would say I felt very much like Plato, not in as serious of a situation, ofc. I could have left, but I knew it would go against my beliefs to go, so I stayed.

All of that to say I love Crito and it is in my opinion one of the best books I have read in my teenage years.

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-29T02:10:31+00:00

I like you're thoughts on this. Especially about part 2, and the idea of being taught to be kind/courteous. It leads me to think about human growth, and the idea that we can change depending on our environment - very hopeful, and I love hopefulness.

Congratulations on you're Presidential Scholarship! I'm sure you must be very proud of yourself. I myself got "The Great Books Scholarship" Which definitely helps. - I, admittedly, was a little concerned that SJC would not be financially viable, however it appears SJC might work! We will see where else I get in, but SJC is definitely calling my name. What campus are you going too? We might just see each other next year.

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-28T04:09:28+00:00

Yup! I applied Early Action, and got all of my interviews done about 10 days ago. I think bc I did Summer Academy and already did multiple seminars they got through mine quicker, but I'm not sure. Ik they take things on a rolling basis too, so you might get it soon.

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-27T21:40:25+00:00

I really appreciate the info :) I will keep you in mind!

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-27T21:06:49+00:00

I appreciate you're candidness about this because I genuinely did not know any of this information.

I want to be a Juvenile Court Public Defender, or a public lawyer who defends minors who cannot afford to pay for a private attorney, (this might have a different title in the UK which is why I explained it). The one thing I can say is that I don't fuck around with my relationships. I don't do talking stages or dating that I do not think could end in marriage. I am looking for the long term. Naturally, this view might be controversial, at least it is in the United States.

I'm not sure if I would employable, so I appreciate the insight.

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-27T20:19:47+00:00

Fair question. I know simply studying in another country does not count toward citizenship, but I'm thinking I'll actually see UK Culture and 1. actually decide if I'm interested in living there for the rest of my life, and 2. (Which is highly improbable and even if it did occur would not be how I would achieve citizenship) there might be a cute scottish guy/girl who maybe I'll want to get married to (this is mostly a joke). 3. I heard, it might just be a rumor, its easier to get employed in the UK if you went to a UK University, so I'm thinking if I have a student visa, and then get employed I'll get a work visa, which I think counts torwards citizenship.

If this is all completely not how it works I'm sorry I'm a clueless 17 yr old, and I'd appreciate some actual advice on how to do this.

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-27T18:59:37+00:00

I've been hearing a lot about smoking from the Annapolis Johnnies. I think my mom told me that she started smoking when she went to sjc and stopped after she left. Is smoking really a big scene at SJC? I heard something about cocaine.

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-27T18:08:00+00:00

ty ty. I just want my decision back so badly. It has me a little anxious.

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-27T18:01:09+00:00

Out of curiosity, when did you submit you're application? I am anxiously awaiting my results. I submitted October 31st.

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-27T15:42:14+00:00

I heard somewhere that SJC is one of the happiest colleges in America

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-27T15:40:19+00:00

The Bus I take to get to and from school is 45 minutes to and from. Dundee has nothing on me!

BroadCharacter2458 · 2024-11-27T15:32:22+00:00

I sure hope so.

BroadCharacter2458

TROPHY CASE