Saint Michael's College

Level of Academic Challenge

Challenging intellectual and creative work is central to student learning.

Here's how Saint Michael's students responded to questions in this category:

• 89%
  of first-year students feel that Saint Michael's places substantial emphasis on academics vs. 83% for all NSSE Schools.

How many students study a foreign language?

• 83%
  of students by their senior year have some completed foreign language coursework in pursuit of second-language proficiency vs. 40% for all NSSE Schools.
  
  

Do faculty hold students to high standards?

• 68%
  of first-year students frequently work harder than they thought they could to meet faculty expectations vs. 60% for all NSSE Schools.
  
  

What types of thinking do assignments require?
First-year students report substantial emphasis on the following activities:

• Analyzing basic elements of an idea or theory: 93% vs. 81% at all NSSE Schools.
• Synthesizing and organizing ideas: 76% vs. 70% at all NSSE Schools.
• Making judgments about value of information: 75% vs. 70% at all NSSE Schools.
• Applying theories or concepts: 82% vs. 76% at all NSSE Schools.
  
  

Do exams require students to do their best work?

• 53%
  of first-year students report that their exams strongly challenge them to do their best work
  
  

Learn more about out Saint Michael's faculty on our outstanding faculty page.