Level of Academic Challenge

Challenging intellectual and creative work is central to student learning and collegiate quality. The 2007 NSSE report indicated that Saint Michael's students value the importance of academics at the college. Of the first-year students who responded to the survey, 85 percent felt that Saint Michael's places substantial emphasis on academics, and 52 percent said they frequently work harder than they thought they could to meet faculty expectations.

Overall, the NSSE survey uses the benchmark items listed below to establish its comparison report on academic challenge for each of the participating institutions. To the right is a graph depicting how the seniors surveyed at Saint Michael's compare to seniors at all NSSE schools on the following criteria:

  • Preparing for class (studying, reading, writing, rehearsing, etc. related to academic program)
  • Number of assigned textbooks, books, or book-length packs of course readings
  • Number of written papers or reports of 20 pages or more
  • Number of written papers or reports of between 5 and 19 pages
  • Number of written papers or reports of fewer than 5 pages 
  • Coursework emphasizing analysis of the basic elements of an idea, experience or theory
  • Coursework emphasizing synthesis and organizing of ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations and relationships
  • Coursework emphasizing the making of judgments about the value of information, arguments, or methods
  • Coursework emphasizing application of theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations
  • Working harder than you thought you could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
  • Campus environment emphasizing time studying and on academic work

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