Saint Joseph's University (PA) (SJU)

One of the best parts about Saint Joseph’s University is “the dedication to service and experiential learning.” This is baked into the requirements for many majors, and the Service-Learning program incorporates weekly volunteering opportunities into the coursework. Says one student: “The entire year I was at the same service site, allowing me to build genuine relationships with the people at my site who I’d see every week.” Students also value “many opportunities to learn off-campus, such as the Inside-Out program” where students “visit local prisons” and build empathy by learning alongside the incarcerated population. The SJU Study Tours program helps students extend their classroom learning: “[I] went to Northern Ireland, and it was so enlightening and really reinforced what we learned in class.” On-campus programs are known for being likewise interactive and engaging, and students report that the business and health science programs are standouts. The Haub Innovative Speaker Series invites professionals “to come to campus and offer insights to students,” and one nursing student appreciates being able to “jump into clinicals our second year of school, which is great.” In the classroom, students report that the “student-to-teacher ratio is really amazing. It allows you to build a close connection to your teachers and feel like you could ask them for help.” SJU students point to their professors as the “best parts of my academic experience…The classes can be challenging, but you feel like you’re learning things that actually matter for your future career.” Students enjoy a “good balance between lectures, labs, and real application” and describe their academic experience as “demanding but supportive.”

“My peers at Saint Joseph’s are a mix of hardworking, supportive, and down-to-earth students,” says one Hawk. “Most people are really focused on their majors…What stands out is how willing students are to help each other, whether it’s sharing notes, forming study groups, or explaining a tough topic after class.” While it feels like many students are from the greater “Philadelphia and New Jersey suburbs,” students report that “there is a large amount of variety here at SJU, with different people having different goals and aspirations in life…Students are kind and helpful if you don’t know how something works.” As one Hawk sums it up: “Our community is our strength by FAR. It is lovely to see such a great community where we all have several ties to each other and care for each other’s needs and concerns.”

At SJU, “almost everyone is in some sort of extracurricular.” For many, spending time with friends means joining in “activities that involve community outreach,” and service is “a huge part of a lot of students’ lives on campus.” As one Hawk explains it: “We have a large amount of clubs and programs dedicated to service, since we are a Jesuit school. I am personally part of a club that advocates for refugees and migrants around the world.” Spending time with friends on campus can also involve sports. With a robust intramural program and D1 collegiate teams, athletics at SJU are “really great, they always try to get everyone involved, and the games are always super fun to attend.” Student football fans are particularly enthused about a recent partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles, featuring “defined internships, associate roles, and game-day positions.” Beyond campus, students “go into Manayunk for nightlife…Philly is also nearby, and it is easy to take the train there to grab something to eat, go shopping, or see a sporting event.” Overall, service clubs and sports “are a great way to get involved and are really how students will have the best time here at Saint Joe’s.”