College of Saint Benedict Top Questions

Describe the students at your school.

Lisa

They are really friendly and intelligent people.

Lauren

Students from the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University all interact with each other whether it is in class or outside of class. There are all ranges of socio economic statuses on campus. There are also many clubs and organizations specific to ethnicity or sexual orientation that all students are welcome to join. Most students at these schools are from Minnesota, however there are many from different states and countries. As for being politically aware, it's split. Some students do not care for politics, but there are multiple very active political organizations on campus that put on events. So, there are many opportunities for people to become politically aware on campus.

Amber

Our school is pretty well rounded when it comes to race, religion, LGBT, and economic status. There are literally kids from every walk of life here, rich, poor, from Latin America, black, white, gay, straight, stuck up, stoners, super chill, neat freaks, gear heads, jocks, gamers, you name it we've got it. The first few weeks of school you really get to know who the freshmen are because they all dress really nice to every class, even if it is at 8 in the morning. After this most people wear jeans, sweats, tshirts, nice shirts. It's a mix, and it's not like it's always the same peopel dressing up or wearing sweats, everyone mixes it up. Like I said before there are so many different types of students here, and for the msot part everyone gets along, and I know personally when I first got here some of the people I saw hanging out together or eating together surprised me because I was like how can they have anything to talk about. But just the fact that you go to this school pretty much gives you soemthign to talk about with anybody.

Kori

The students here are very diverse. You do not feel weird wearing either sweats or dressing up to class. I feel as if the majority of the students here are more wealthy than not, but I am not and I fit in just fine! The dining center tables change everyday. You never see people sitting at the same table with the same people everyday. There is always opportunity to meet new people!

Amanda

Our schools has many different cultures represented. In all of my classes I have at least one international student.

Ashley

The students here at CSB/SJU are simply amazing. You can walk around campus and basically know everyone. It is just such an amazing feeling knowing that you know alot of people and have friends that are all so different. Students here are very hard working and extremely carefree. Yes you will find people that you do not get along with but you will find that with any school really. There are just alot of opportunities to find your best friend, boyfriend, girlfriend or future spouse. There are alot of international students that go to CSBSJU as well, which is nice getting to know people from other countries around the world. I don't think there is any student that would feel out of place at CSBSJU because it is a very well rounded school that doesn't turn anyone away.

Kendal

The students here are all so welcoming and no is discriminated against. We are a big family.

Anders

With a smaller student population, students can get to know one another well, but with the addition of the College of St. Benedict, the student body swells to over 4,000. The students at SJU are multi talented individuals who are creative, innovative, and kind.

Emily

I tend to hang out with all middle- and upper-middle class white students. Not because I do not want to make friends with diverse students but because I do not have any diverse students on my floor or in any of my classes. Most students wear either jeans or sweatpants to class and t-shirts and sweatshirts. There are a few students in every class that will dress really nice everyday but it isn't very common. Most students are from the Twin Cities and it's surrounding cities and small towns all over Minnesota and Wisconsin. I feel that middle- to upper-middle class students are most prevalent on campus. Also, I feel that the campus is pretty split between Democratic and Republican students.

Bridget

Students here are diverse and interesting! Everyone seems to be respectful and friendly towards everyone else. It's a very casual atmosphere, people walk around in whatever they feel comfortable in, weather it be dresses or sweatpants. I think the school attracts students who really want to be there, and are genuinely excited and open to meeting other people. Lots of different financial backrounds are prevelent-but most kids don't come from a lot of money. Students are more focused on the cool things they can be doing with their life then money, or other material things. Probably a whole different world then a place like TCU.

Kellie

Fun. I love being a bennie and I have loved growing as a person here. Your peers will be your best friends, push you to do different things, and help you develop as a person. Bennies and Johnnies are passionate about groups they are involved in and having a good time on weekends.

Elizabeth

The students here are mainly white upper class from Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin. However, there are students here from over 40 countries, especially from China and the Bahamas. There are LGBT students, African-American students, exchange students, and there are groups that represent all of these students on campus, so it's a great way to meet people with the same background as you.

Nicole

I came from a small, private high school where cliques were strong and powerful. At St. Ben's, all the students get along and there is little existence of cliques. Everyone is nice to one another. About 60{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student body is Catholic but there are also plenty of other religious groups on campus. No person should feel out of place here because the variety of studnet clubs allows for anyone to find their niche. Most students come from middle to middle-upper class familes. There are some people I know who have their schooling paid for by their parents. However, I am holding a student employment job, loans, and received generous scholarships from the college to attend here.

Melissa

most students are from minnesota and they are mostly middle to uppper class family backgrounds

Samantha

Many of the student's at my school are conservative with political views, but when it comes topics such as LGBT involvement, everyone seems liberal about the topic. I would say 70{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of student's are Catholic. Students wear anything from sweats and a sweatshirt to a fancy blouse with dark jeans. I don't think any student would feel out of place at this school. A "jock" would fit in because there are great athletics here and a "nerd" would fit in because it is an academic rigorous school and there is a drive for good grades.

Colleen

Motivated, intellectual, social, nice, involved and active.

Autumn

Our campus is very diverse. We have many different races, religions, and other groups. NO students would feel out of place here, and if they do, there are designated "safe spaces" within students' rooms just in case they do feel out of place and need somebody to talk to. Most students wear whatever they want to class. Some dress up, others come in sweatshirts and sweatpants. There is no "norm". Different types of student usually interact, but a lot of the international students from the Asias stick together. One table has some soccer girls that just got done from practice. They usually don't sit together but after practices they do. The other three have a mix of men and women. Most of the students here are from Minnesota, but there are many that come from other places. I have a friend from Arizona, one from Alaska, one from Nebraska, and I myself am from Wisconsin. There are also many girls on my floor from Korea and Japan. The financial background that is most prevalent here is mostly upper middle class families, but that isn't always the case. The school offers huge work awards and financial aid, as well as many scholarships and additional grants if they are asked for. Students are politically aware and active. There is no predominance when it comes to political parties. There are both "Campus Democrats" and "Campus Republicans" groups. Students do talk about how much they'll earn one day, and most of them are predicting very high numbers.

Ali

The students at our school are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet! The Bennies and Johnnies have a unique relationship with each other. From Johnnies holding the door open for Bennies and people always saying thank you to the bus drivers, St. Bens and St. Johns has an amazing sense of community!

Stephanie

We have people of all types here. We have a prominent LGBT group, along with multicultural groups, political groups, anything you could think of. Over 9{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the undergraduates are international students. Most students are from Minnesota, or the surrounding states. Though in Fall 2010 CSB/SJU had students from 40 states and over 50 countries enrolling.

Amy

At csb/sju all different types of students are here ranging from international, different incomes, religions, color, race...yet all are very welcoming. Everyone opens the doors for others, gives up seats on the Link for others, and is almost always smiling! It's a very friendly atmosphere and not very judgemental.

Katherine

Students here are awesome! We're all so involved in one thing or another which is so much fun because no matter what you decide to be involved with on campus, you meet so many different people and get to know them really well! Everyone is so welcoming and they love when people want to get involved and get out there to meet new people.

Kaycee

WELCOMING! ALL STUDENTS give a welcomig vibe to others and visitors. We hold doors for others, wave, say hello, and learn each others name. Our community is strong and supportive of all people!

Brianna

I would definitely say you can tell it is a college campus. It is a time for major self discovery and change, and you will be sure to find people who are going through all different walks of life. That is what can at times be so great and also in honesty at times be frustrating. Our campus has a huge push for diversity especially through international students, this is great because it broadens all of the students on campus to the world outside of the united states. There are groups and clubs on campus supporting all ideals and really no one is looked down upon for believing, acting or living a certain way. It is all dependent upon what you choose to see and what groups you decided to become a part of. College and especially St. Ben's and St. John's have so much to offer as far as careers, experiences, and realtionships amongst students, profs and other community members, it is truly a matter of what you want to do, where you want to go and who you want to become.

Xai

The students are very accepting of all denominations of faiths and backgrounds. They are super understanding and often express interest in each other. There are students from all different sides of the spectrum, expressing all various perspective in a discussion. The students are well-mannered and committed to serving the greater good! They are hardworking and well driven individuals with high aspirations for the future!

Maggie

Everyone here is very friendly and down to earth. When deciding whether or not CSB/SJU was the place for me, I came to campus for an overnight visit. I noticed right away that everyone was extremely nice and just LOVED school here. I was convinced after my overnight that this was the place for me. Since becoming a student, I have grown into the same loved that I noticed during my stay. People are very nice and fun here, which has made the experience perfect.

Stephanie

There are students from all political, religions, racial and ethnic backgrounds here, which makes a diversity of opinions on campus. Although our campus is passionate and opinionated, the students' differences in ideology and other things never is an issue on campus

Ivette

Both Saint Ben's and Saint John's are very accepting schools. Even though we are predominantly catholic, we are very accepting of other religions, we do not force Catholicism on students if they do not wish to participate in it. We are a very diverse campus. We have students from all over the country, 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} international, and a lot of different races represented. Even though we are catholic we are very accepting of the LGBT community. There is a group on campus that organizes coming out week, where the LGBT community present themselves on campus so that we are aware of another aspect of diversity on our campus. I don't think there can be anyone who feels out of place here. There is also a wide range of financial backgrounds.

Chelsea

The students at CSB/SJU are very diverse, but all share the benedictine values. These values are what hold us together.

Kelsey

I love all of the students at our two institutions. Without the people, these places would not be what they are. Everyone is appreciative of everyone else and you can see it through the ways everyone helps one another. Everyone says "thank you" to the bus driver and holds doors for each other...things you NEVER find at other schools. With the people, the campuses are such a welcoming place!

Madolynn

The students at CSB/SJU are some of the nicest people I have ever met. Everyone is extremely welcoming when you first come here. CSB/SJU has the best community atmosphere of any other college I have been to.

Alexandra

I love my classmates. We are a diverse group of students from all different backgrounds. From financially to geographically.

Kate

My classmate were smart, hardworking, committed, some of the most fun-loving folks I know and lifeloing friends.

Breann

Most students wear jeans with casual shirts or sweatshirts; lots of CSB/SJU wear! Most CSB students are from Minnesota and the surrounding states, but there is a fair amount of diversity as well. Probably a majority of students come from middle to upper class families, but many have on-campus jobs and have to pay their share of the tuition. There is a strong political awareness on campus (The McCarthy Center is the political group on campus).

Emily

The CSB student body is diverse within itself. There are people from big cities, from towns of 500, lesbians, Barbie-wannabes and a whole lot more in between. I think that because rural Minnesota is SO cold in the winter, we are all evened out 'fashion-wise' because we are so bundled up in jackets, sweatshirts, hats and boots. I always look forward to going back to CSB|SJU because I know so many people! Acquaintances say hi to each other and make new people feel welcome. You can stay with your same friend-group from freshman year if you'd like, but the school is big enough to always be meeting new people. Politically, students stand in the middle or to the left. During the last Presidential election, the Rebuplicans hardly had a presence on campus, which I thought was very interesting at a Catholic school. However, this is a college where thinking is stressed, so there is someone of every political-standing on campus.

Christine

CSB-SJU is pretty white bread. The only students of color you are going to see are foreign exchange students from China, Africa, or the Bahamas. THe majority of students are from the Twin Cities metro area. Students usually wear casual attire to class: jeans. Bennies and Johnnies are usually pretty well off financially, or at least their parents are. Bennies and Johnnies are EXTREMELY politically active, predominantly to the left.

Lindsey

The campus is very friendly toward all people, no matter what gender, race, or orientation. Students that are anti social or don't like to connect with their classmates might feel out of place among such caring and friendly students. Csb is very laid back, not too done up or concerned about looks. Many people will wear sweats to class and it is totally normal. Then there are people who spend 3 hours getting ready in the morning.. neither group feels out of place. The campus is not overly political and definitely not leaning to one side, although there are student groups that meet with similar political interests.

Charlie

The St. Ben's community is pretty amazing--people are ridiculously friendly and polite. People hold doors for each other, smile at strangers, and are always willing to make new friends. There's even a policy on the bus that if a Bennie doesn't have a spot to sit, a Johnnie generally offers his spot--chivalry is definitely not dead on our campuses! Students in general are pretty politically aware and involved in whatever their major is. CSB prides itself on diversity, but honestly the vast majority of the population is white. However, (and keep in mind this opinion comes from a white girl myself) I feel that the campus is really racially friendly and there are a lot of foreign exchange students who are really interesting and contribute a lot to the campus.

Maria

Students at Saint Ben's and Saint John's are laid back and accepting to everyone. Everyone enjoys spending time with each other and being involved!

Mary

The student body at CSB is varied. The majority of students are from Minnesota but there are students from around the entire country and a good number of international students. This mixture really allows for a broad range of insights and ideas. CSB is also varied in regards to economics. A large number of students receive financial aid and word awards. It is common for students to have a job on campus. I love my on-campus job! The student body also is largely aware of things globally. There are always different campus groups promoting events and activities that benefit and/or raise awareness of things locally and worldwide. We have groups formed around sustainability, political parties, service efforts, academic majors, religious groups, etc. Our student body is also interesting because of the men from SJU. We are able to do anything and everything with them so this adds to our campuses and the student body. CSB is an all-girls school but all things seem to be done with the men too. It is a wonderful relationship. CSB is really a school for ANY student!

Caitlin

My classmates are hardworkers and have learned to integrate Benedictine values into their lives. They are creative thinkers, outgoing and friendly, and know how to have fun even in the simplest situations.

Sarah

CSB has a diverse campus with students from all over the world. This allows a cultural learning experience, where students can learn from the other students. I think everyone has a place on campus, since there are is such a diverse student population. Many students are politcally aware of the issue, however it is not the focus of the campus.

Michelle

One unique aspect of CSB is the ever present monastic presence on campus. This is so great because the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict serve as administrators, professors, club leaders, friends, and most of all a source of support and prayer. Our student body in incredibly diverse with students from several different countries around the world. This increases our chance to learn about a variety of cultures. CSB is an incredibly active in politics. Although CSB is very liberal, there is room for all sides to share their opinions and all opinions to be respected.

Stephanie

There are women from all backgrounds at CSB. The college is a Catholic college, but all religious beliefs and views are welcome here. The variety of clubs, including international clubs, political clubs, service clubs, and activity clubs, are the perfect demonstration of the diversity on campus. I can't think of any student that would feel out of place here. Everyone is welcoming and open to talking to anyone. There are students that come from a variety of financial backgrounds as well. The great financial aid at the school makes it possible for students to afford the great education you get from CSB. A lot of the students are from Minnesota, but there are also a lot of students from other states and countries. We have a Festival of Cultures where students get to share their cultures and traditions from their homes with the student body.

Nicole

Bennies almost all look the same (white), we even dress the same. Owning a North Face fleece is almost a requirement of admission (in the interest of full disclosure, I don't have one). However, the people are very, very different and multifaceted. There are theology majors who are extraordinary ballerinas, chemistry majors who love to talk politics, and history majors who are football stars. Most students come from the Midwest, many from MN and are very politically moderate. A lot of students identify as Catholic, and the Catholic vibe is pretty pervasive. With about 1000 monks and nuns walking around how can it not be? The school, and the students are not coercive about it though. Most people are involved with at least one club. A lot of people's parents pay for their college, but most people have work study jobs. There are a few notoriously wealthy people on campus, but they're pretty despised. There are also a fair number of people who are working their way though college and/or taking on enormous debt.

Monica

Not extremely racially diverse, but driven, dedicated students who are open and welcoming.

Katherine

the students here are very intelligent and help challenge eachother often, they are also very friendly.

Greta

Pretty intresting, although many of my classmates weren't as serious about school as I wished they would have been.