The Best Colleges/Universities that You May Not Know About

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The radical "poor cousin" of St. John's, Shimer College's reading list varies from that of St. John's and the college atmosphere is much less formal. The College has an unusual history, having had 3 different campuses (Mt. Carroll, IL (1853-1977), Waukegan, IL (1978-2006), and the IIT campus (2006-present). Shimer students are quite liberal and student activism is popular here. Shimer is democratic and has a body of self-governance called the Assembly consisting of all students, staff, and professors. Alumni are considered non-voting members of the Assembly.

There is no Greek life at Shimer. There is a "Shimer-in-Oxford" program, sending students to Oxford for a semester or year. Shimer requires a senior thesis. There is a traditional program for students under 25 and an "every third weekend" program for working adults. With approx. 120 students, Shimer is one of the smallest colleges in the U.S.

I have done coursework at Shimer, and research on the Great Books model. There are other Great Books colleges to follow, along with a list of colleges/iuniversities with Great Books programs.

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Thomas Aquinas College - Santa Paula, CA

Founded in 1971, this private Catholic and Great Books college has approx. 358 students, and a faculty-student ratio of 11-1. The 131 acre campus features beautiful Spanish-style architecture. With small classes, no textbooks, and Socratic discussions, the emphasis here is on theology and God-centered texts. The sophomore year reading list has a theology component. Thomas Aquinas utilizes the ancient TRIVIUM (grammar, logic, and rhetoric) and the QUADRIVIUM (music, astronomy, geometry, and arithmetic).

It seems focused on developing its students spiritual direction along with a classical liberal arts/Great Books education. See the book, Liberal Education and the Humanities by late college founder Marcus R. Bergquist. Approx. 11% of graduates enter religious studies/the priesthood. This college requires a senior thesis. It is very well-connected to Vatican and Roman Catholic doctrine/teachings. St. Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of the college.