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University of St. Thomas
St Paul, MN, USA
ACTIVISM AT [INSERT SCHOOL NAME]
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The University of St. Thomas campus features distinctive red-brick collegiate Gothic architecture with iconic arched windows and elegant stone details, complemented by modern academic facilities surrounded by expansive green spaces and flowering gardens. Centered around the landmark Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas with its prominent bell tower, the campus offers well-maintained outdoor gathering areas where students relax between classes, alongside technologically advanced classroom buildings and residence halls that blend historic charm with contemporary amenities. We welcome you to take a tour and experience our beautiful campus firsthand.
The University of St. Thomas athletics program made a historic transition to NCAA Division I in 2021, becoming the first institution to jump directly from Division III to Division I in the modern NCAA era. The Tommies compete in the Summit League for most sports, while football participates in the Pioneer Football League and hockey teams compete in the CCHA and WCHA, respectively. Student-athletes at St. Thomas benefit from outstanding facilities including the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex, featuring a 2,000-seat basketball arena, an aquatic center with an eight-lane pool, and a field house with a 200-meter track. The university supports 22 varsity sports teams (11 men's and 11 women's), fostering a vibrant athletic culture that emphasizes both competitive excellence and academic achievement, with Tommie student-athletes consistently earning impressive GPAs and graduation rates.
Midwest, Large City: The University of St. Thomas is nestled in the Midwest region of the United States, specifically in the vibrant Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Located primarily in St. Paul with additional facilities in downtown Minneapolis, the university offers students the advantages of a small city setting while providing easy access to the cultural and professional opportunities of a major metropolitan area. The main campus in St. Paul spans 78 beautifully landscaped acres along historic Summit Avenue, featuring a blend of stately brick buildings and modern facilities arranged around a central quad and surrounded by charming residential neighborhoods. Campus architecture combines distinctive Collegiate Gothic structures with contemporary buildings, creating an atmosphere that honors tradition while embracing innovation. Students enjoy the best of both worlds: a cohesive, community-oriented campus experience within minutes of downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis, connected by the university's shuttle service.
For the most accurate and up-to-date cost of attendance, please click the link below! The University of St. Thomas offers financial assistance to approximately 97% of its undergraduate students, demonstrating a strong commitment to making education accessible. The university provides numerous merit-based scholarships, including the prestigious Dease Scholarship Program specifically designed for underrepresented students and the St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship for academic achievement. In addition to institutional aid, St. Thomas offers specialized scholarships for music, theater, ROTC, and Catholic high school graduates, along with unique programs like the Schulze Innovation Scholarship for entrepreneurially-minded students.
Imagine yourself stepping onto a stage bathed in spotlight as applause fills the auditorium at the University of St. Thomas, where the Department of Music offers comprehensive programs in performance, composition, and music education. Students can pursue a major or minor in Art History, Studio Art, or Music, with access to state-of-the-art facilities including the O'Shaughnessy Educational Center auditorium and the Anderson Student Center's dance and theater spaces. The St. Thomas Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and String Orchestra provide performance opportunities for both music majors and non-majors alike. Beyond academics, students can join vibrant extracurricular organizations like PULSE Dance Club, Summit Singers a cappella group, and the Playful Learning Lab that combines art with STEM education. The Art History program is particularly noted for its museum studies opportunities, with students gaining hands-on experience curating exhibitions in the university's American Museum of Asmat Art, which houses one of the largest collections of Asmat art outside Indonesia.
Greek life at the University of St. Thomas takes a distinctive form, as these organizations are officially recognized as student clubs rather than traditional Greek chapters found at many other institutions. The five sororities and four fraternities function within the university's club system, emphasizing service, leadership, and community building while operating under the same guidelines as other student organizations. These Greek-letter clubs, including chapters like Gamma Sigma Sigma and Delta Epsilon Sigma, contribute thousands of service hours annually to both campus and local community initiatives while maintaining the close-knit community feel that St. Thomas values. Unlike traditional Greek life, these organizations do not have dedicated houses; instead, they maintain their presence through regular events, service projects, and leadership opportunities that align with the university's Catholic social teaching values.
University of St. Thomas provides exceptional internship opportunities through its Center for Career Development & Innovation, which maintains partnerships with over 500 employers including major corporations like 3M, Target, and UnitedHealth Group. The university's location advantage puts students within minutes of 18 Fortune 500 company headquarters, creating unique access to competitive internship placements across diverse industries. St. Thomas's Dougherty Family College specifically focuses on career-readiness with guaranteed paid professional internships for its two-year students, while specialized programs like the London Business Semester incorporate international internship experiences. Faculty across departments leverage their professional networks to connect students with field-specific opportunities, resulting in over 70% of St. Thomas undergraduates completing at least one internship before graduation.
University of St. Thomas offers more than 85 undergraduate majors and 60 minors across eight academic colleges, providing students with exceptional breadth and depth in their educational options. The Opus College of Business features highly-ranked programs in entrepreneurship and real estate, while the School of Engineering has distinctive offerings in mechanical engineering and robotics systems. Unique interdisciplinary programs include Catholic Studies, Neuroscience, and Actuarial Science, alongside innovative majors like Data Analytics and Healthcare Sales, which respond directly to evolving industry demands. For a full list of academic programming, click the link below.
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University of St. Thomas provides exceptional undergraduate research opportunities through its Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), which awards competitive grants to students conducting original research alongside faculty mentors across all disciplines. The annual Inquiry at UST event showcases student research through poster presentations and performances, celebrating nearly 300 undergraduate research projects each year. The Summer Housing Research program offers free on-campus housing for students conducting summer research, while the prestigious Young Scholars program provides stipends for collaborative faculty-student research projects lasting 10 weeks. The Center for Applied Mathematics hosts specialized research opportunities in mathematical modeling and computational science, preparing students for prestigious graduate programs and research careers.
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University of St. Thomas is a medium-sized institution with approximately 9,000 total students, including around 6,000 undergraduate students enrolled across its colleges and programs. This mid-sized student population creates an environment where classes remain relatively small with a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized attention while still offering the diverse academic opportunities and vibrant campus life typically found at larger universities.
University of St. Thomas offers over 150 student clubs and organizations, ranging from academic societies like Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity to cultural groups such as the Hmong United Students Association and the Saudi Student Club. The Undergraduate Student Government actively represents student interests, allocating funds to clubs and organizing major campus traditions including the annual Tommie Awards and the Fall and Spring Concerts featuring popular musical artists. Students passionate about media can join award-winning outlets like TommieMedia, the campus-wide digital news source, or KUST Radio station which broadcasts student-produced programming. Service-oriented organizations like VISION (Volunteers In Service Internationally Or Nationally) coordinate numerous volunteer opportunities and immersion trips, while recreational clubs such as Tommie Outdoors and the Rock Climbing Club take advantage of both campus facilities and Minnesota's natural attractions.
University of St. Thomas has made significant strides in diversifying its undergraduate student body, with approximately 20% of students identifying as domestic students of color and an additional 5% representing international students from more than 65 countries. The gender distribution is relatively balanced, with a slight majority of female students at approximately 53% compared to 47% male students. While many undergraduates come from Minnesota and neighboring Midwestern states, the university attracts students from across all 50 states, with growing representation from the West Coast and Northeast regions. First-generation college students make up about 22% of the undergraduate population, and the university's Dougherty Family College specifically serves students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, demonstrating St. Thomas's commitment to expanding educational access.
University of St. Thomas offers a comprehensive residential experience with 13 residence halls and townhomes providing diverse housing options for students throughout their undergraduate journey. First-year students typically live in Ireland Hall, Dowling Hall, or Brady Hall, which offer traditional corridor-style living with vibrant community spaces designed to foster connections among new students. Upperclassmen have access to apartment-style living in residences like Morrison Hall and the on-campus townhomes, featuring kitchens, living rooms, and more independent lifestyle options. The campus dining experience centers around The View, the main dining hall in Anderson Student Center, which offers all-you-care-to-eat options with multiple stations serving international cuisines, comfort foods, and healthy alternatives. Additional dining options include Scooter's (serving Caribou Coffee), Summit Marketplace with grab-and-go meals, and The Loft, providing pub-style dining with favorites like burgers and flatbreads. St. Thomas demonstrates a strong commitment to dietary inclusivity with dedicated stations for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, while their "Tommie's Table" program offers chef-prepared specialty meals on a rotating basis. The university's Purple Gold meal plans provide flexibility with varying combinations of meal swipes and declining balance "eXpress" dollars that can be used at any campus dining location as well as select off-campus restaurants near both the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses.
University of St. Thomas offers more than 85 undergraduate majors and 60 minors across its eight academic colleges, with particularly strong programs in business, engineering, actuarial science, and healthcare fields. Students typically declare their major by the end of sophomore year after completing foundational coursework, though they are encouraged to explore various disciplines through the university's core curriculum before making this decision. Unique interdisciplinary majors include Catholic Studies, Green Sustainable Business, and Data Analytics, with the option to design an individualized major through the Interdisciplinary Studies program for students with specialized academic interests. St. Thomas also facilitates multiple 3+3 programs that allow students to complete both an undergraduate degree and a law degree (J.D.) in just six years rather than the traditional seven, demonstrating the university's commitment to innovative educational pathways.
University of St. Thomas's Student Diversity and Inclusion Services office provides tailored programming for first-generation students, including specialized orientation sessions, peer mentoring, and regular community-building events that connect students with similar backgrounds. First-generation students receive dedicated academic advising through the Center for Student Achievement, which offers specialized workshops on navigating university resources, financial literacy, and developing academic confidence. The Community College Transition Program creates streamlined transfer pathways for students beginning at community colleges, while targeted scholarship programs like the Dease Scholarship provide significant financial support for underrepresented students with demonstrated financial need.
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