The Senior Essay
Not Just Another College Paper
At St. John’s the senior essay is not a term paper, or a research report. It is a rite of passage, an exercise in critical thinking and insightful writing that brings together nearly four years of study. On both campuses, seniors face the deadline for this important requirement for graduation in early February.
When the spring semester begins at St. John’s, seniors are excused from classes (in Annapolis, all classes; in Santa Fe, students attend their biweekly seminars) to work on their essays. These essays are meant to be meaningful, sustained, and personal explorations of a book or a question.
Students generally begin mulling over their topics during the first semester of their senior year. They can write on any book or topic, as long as the campus dean approves. Some students write on a work not on the college reading list (and occasionally a film, work of art, or musical composition) that they have always wanted to study; others write on a Program book that raised an intriguing question for them.
Students are required to choose a faculty adviser to guide them through the process of paper writing. The senior essay is the longest essay undertaken at St. John’s, about 30 to 40 pages, and overcoming structural and organizational challenges often takes up the final week of essay writing.
Advisers become like beacons in the process, guiding students through frequent one-on-one meetings where they talk through the draft papers. The end comes at midnight on the last Saturday of the writing period, and it is an occasion full of traditions and rituals. In Annapolis, a party is held at the president’s house.
An admission requirement is four copies of the senior essay: one copy for the library and one copy for each of the tutors who will form the committee that will read the paper and conduct an oral examination on it.
Students then return to campus for an eagerly anticipated part of the ritual: Every senior climbs the steps to the top floor of McDowell Hall for one celebratory peal of McDowell’s bell. Locals are used to this tradition, which along with 21-gun salutes at the neighboring U.S. Naval Academy, are part of life in a college town.
In Santa Fe, during a traditional ceremony held at the President's house seniors hand in their final papers to the registrar. In celebration of their accomplishments, seniors are invited to ring the bell in the tower of Weigle Hall.