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Is SJU

for you?

It's not for everyone,
especially if you’re
content to sit back, take it easy and let life pass you by.

But if you’ve got a "get in the game," "count me in," "make the most of every opportunity" outlook, SJU might just be your perfect fit. Click to learn more.

Faqs

Admissions

1. What is the application deadline?
2. When will the Admissions Committee notify me of their decision?
3. What do I need to submit with my application?
4. Can my application fee be waived?
5. What are the admissions criteria?
6. Can you apply online to Saint Joseph´s University?
7. Does Saint Joseph´s University maintain a waiting list for admission?
8. Do I need to take the SAT II exams?
9. Do I need to take the SAT or ACT?
10. What are Saint Joseph's school codes for the SAT and ACT exams?
11. Does Saint Joseph´s use the writing section on the SAT or ACT?
12. Does Saint Joseph´s accept AP and International Baccalaureate credits?
13. What high school courses am I required to take in order to be considered for admission?
14. I have taken college courses while in high school. Will Saint Joseph´s University accept these courses for credit?

Campus Visit

1. When can I visit?
2. Does Saint Joseph´s University require an interview for admission?
3. Are appointments required for Ask A Counselor Sessions?

Tuition and Financial Aid

1. What is the tuition and room and board at Saint Joseph´s University?
2. How do I apply for financial assistance?
3. Is the enrollment deposit refundable?
4. Are scholarships awarded?
5. When will I be notified of my financial aid award and scholarships?

Miscellaneous

1. Does Saint Joseph´s have a study abroad program?
2. Do I need to bring my own computer with me to Saint Joseph´s?
3. What is the mailing address for the Admissions Office?
4. How do I change my major after I have been accepted to the University?
5. Are freshmen permitted to have cars on the campus?
6. Where is Saint Joseph´s University?
7. What type of housing is available at Saint Joseph´s University?
8. Is there a residency requirement for students?
9. Is housing guaranteed at Saint Joseph´s?
10. What types of activities are available for students?
11. Is Saint Joseph´s University a religiously affiliated university?
12. How large is the student body at Saint Joseph´s?
13. What is your student/faculty ratio?
14. What is the male/female ratio?
15. Where do most Saint Joseph´s students come from?
16. What is security like at SJU?


Admissions

1. What is the application deadline?

The Early Action (not binding) deadline is November 15th and the Regular Decision deadline is February 1st.

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2. When will the Admissions Committee notify me of their decision?

Students who apply for Early Action by November 15th will be sent an admissions decision by December 25th.
Students who apply for Regular Decision by February 1st will be sent an admissions decision by March 15th.

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3. What do I need to submit with my application?

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4. Can my application fee be waived?

Saint Joseph´s will waive the application fee if a student provides a copy of the SAT fee waiver or a written request from his or her guidance counselor.

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5. What are the admissions criteria?

Many factors are considered for admission. Very important factors include your academic GPA and the rigor of your high school record. Important factors include your application essay, counselor or teacher recommendations and your character and personal qualities. Other factors considered are your class rank, SAT/ACT scores, volunteer work, work experience and alumni connections. The middle 50% GPA is a 3.2-3.9 and the middle 50% on the SAT is 1070-1240, and for the ACT it is 23-28 composite.

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6. Can you apply online to Saint Joseph's University?

Yes. Students can apply using the SJU Online Application or apply through the Common Application.

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7. Does Saint Joseph´s University maintain a waiting list for admission?

Yes. Each year the number of qualified applicants for admission exceeds the number of available spaces in the class. It is for this reason that we maintain a waiting list. Our enrollment deadline is May 1st. Should we have space available at that time, we will begin to offer students on the waiting list admission to the class. The waiting list is only composed of students who are academically qualified for admission. Notification of final waiting list status is made no later than August 1st.

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8. Do I need to take the SAT II exams?

No, Saint Joseph´s University does not require applicants to take any SAT II examinations.

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9. Do I need to take the SAT or ACT?

We accept either the SAT or ACT. If you submit both test scores to Saint Joseph´s University, we will use the higher of the two.

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10. What are Saint Joseph's school codes for the SAT and ACT exams?

Saint Joseph's University code for the SAT exam is 2801. Our code for the ACT is 3684.

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11. Does Saint Joseph´s use the writing section on the SAT or ACT in the admission decision?

No. Saint Joseph´s does not use the SAT or ACT writing test in the evaluation of your application.

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12. Does Saint Joseph´s accept AP and International Baccalaureate credits?

Saint Joseph´s generally awards college credits and/or placement for AP scores of 4 or better. Saint Joseph´s will award credit for up to three successfully completed Higher Level classes in which a score of 5 or higher is achieved on the appropriate IB examination. Check the AP Placement Credit Reference Table to see what is transferrable,

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13. What high school courses am I required to take in order to be considered for admission?

Students are required to have completed certain high school courses in order to be considered for admission to Saint Joseph's University. They are as follows:

  • Four (4) English
  • Three (3) Mathematics
  • Three (3) Natural Science
  • Three (3) Social Science
  • Two (2) Foreign Language (must be two of the same language)
  • One (1) Physical Education/Health
  • Five (5) electives

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14. I have taken college courses while in high school. Will Saint Joseph´s University accept these courses for credit?

Saint Joseph´s University requires the following criteria are met for outside credit to be awarded:

  • The class must be taught at an accredited two- or four-year college or university.
  • The class must be taught by a member of the faculty from that college or university. High school teachers do not qualify.
  • You must take the class with other matriculating college students.
  • You must earn a grade of “C“ or better.
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Campus Visit

1. When can I visit?

  • The Office of Admission is open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
  • Discover SJU presentations are offered Monday through Friday at 10:00am. and 1:00pm and on select Saturdays throughout the school year at 10:00am. A Discover SJU presentation consists of an information session followed by a campus tour.
  • Ask-A-Counselor Sessions are available upon request Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
  • Please call 610-660-1300 or 1-888-BE-A-HAWK or schedule online to make an appointment.

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2. Does Saint Joseph´s University require an interview for admission?

No. Saint Joseph´s University does not require evaluative interviews. We do, however, offer an Ask A Counselor Session, which gives a student the opportunity to meet with an admissions counselor one-on-one to ask individual questions about the University.

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3. Are appointments required for Ask A Counselor Sessions?

Yes. To best serve you, we ask that you schedule an Ask A Counselor appointment in advance of your visit.

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Tuition and Financial Aid

1. What is the tuition and room and board at Saint Joseph´s University?

Tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year is $36,480. Room and Board is $12,206. These costs do not include student fees associated with specific majors or residence halls.

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2. How do I apply for financial assistance?

  • File FAFSA by the priority deadline of February 15th
  • Include Saint Joseph´s school code of 003367 on the FAFSA
  • Please check our Web site at sju.edu
  • When filing for the first time you will be given a pin number, at which time you should go back in and electronically sign your form. At this time your information will be calculated and distributed to the schools chosen.

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3. Is the enrollment deposit refundable?

No, the enrollment deposit is non-refundable and must be postmarked by May 1st. Saint Joseph´s believes the deposit is a commitment to attend the University and should only be submitted when a final decision has been made.

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4. Are scholarships awarded?

Over 93 percent of students receive merit and/or need based financial assistance. Every student who applies for admission is reviewed for a merit scholarship. Please review our scholarship opportunities.

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5. When will I be notified of my financial aid awards and scholarships?

You will be notified of your merit-based scholarship when you receive your acceptance letter. Financial Assistance packages will be sent in late March provided you submit the FAFSA form by the preferred FAFSA deadline of February 15th.

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Miscellaneous

1. Does Saint Joseph´s have a study abroad program?

Yes. Through the Center for International Program (CIP), we are pleased to offer a variety of high quality study abroad opportunities around the world. Students can select from summer study abroad and semester study abroad offerings. Academic study tours are also offered throughout the year. A sampling of countries which have hosted programs include Italy, Spain, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Greece, England, and China. Two new programs in Ghana and Namibia have recently been included.

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2. Do I need to bring my own computer with me to Saint Joseph´s?

No. Computer labs are available throughout the campus. Saint Joseph´s University also has numerous areas on campus where you can connect via a wireless Ethernet adapter. All business and psychology majors, however, are required to purchase a laptop for use in classes and projects outside of class. We strongly encourage business and psychology majors to purchase laptops from Saint Joseph´s as they meet all SJU computing requirements.

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3. What is the mailing address for the Admissions Office?

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Bronstein Hall
Saint Joseph´s University
5600 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131-1395

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4. How do I change my major after I have been accepted to the University?

If a student decides to change his/her major before submitting the enrollment confirmation form and deposit, he/she may indicate the change on the enrollment confirmation form. If a student changes his/her major after depositing, he/ she should change their major online through the admitted students' portal.

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5. Are freshmen permitted to have cars on the campus?

No, freshmen and sophomores are not permitted to have cars on campus, unless they are a commuter student.

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6. Where is Saint Joseph´s University?

Only 20 minutes from the dynamic center and diverse activities of America´s sixth largest city, Saint Joseph´s is far enough from downtown to avoid the noise and the hassles, yet close enough to take advantage of the city´s offerings. Situated on the western boundary of Philadelphia, the 103-acre campus combines urban accessibility with the charm of the suburban Main Line.

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7. What type of housing is available at Saint Joseph´s University?

Saint Joseph´s University offers its resident students four types of living accommodations; Residence centers, Townhouses, Houses, and Apartment Units. Freshmen have options of four Residence centers: McShain Hall, LaFarge Hall, Sourin Hall and Villiger Hall (opening Fall 2012). For more information, please visit the Residence Life web page.

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8. Is there a residency requirement for students?

Yes, freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus unless they are commuting from their permanent residence.

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9. Is housing guaranteed at Saint Joseph´s?

Housing is guaranteed for freshmen and sophomores only. Transfer students are guaranteed and required housing if they are in their first four semesters of college. All transfers of freshmen and sophomore status are required to live on campus. We have an off-campus housing department that assists our upperclassmen in finding off-campus housing options.

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11. What types of activities are available for students?

Saint Joseph´s has over 80 student clubs and organizations run through the Office of Student Leadership and Development Office. This does not include our theatrical group called Cap and Bells, athletic teams including 20 NCAA Division I and 30 club and intramural sports, retreats and work in campus ministry, fraternities and sororities, and many other opportunities that await you.

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12. Is Saint Joseph´s University a religiously affiliated university?

Yes, Saint Joseph´s is a Catholic and Jesuit University.

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13. How large is the student body at Saint Joseph´s?

Saint Joseph´s has an enrollment of 4,650 traditional, full-time, undergraduate students and 3,600 graduate students.

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14. What is your student/faculty ratio?

Saint Joseph's has a student/faculty ratio of 14:1

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15. What is the male/female ratio?

1:1 (more precisely 49% male-51% female)

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16. Where do most Saint Joseph´s students come from?

Saint Joseph´s receives applications from nearly every state and over 60 countries. Historically, we have drawn heavily from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Regions of the United States. Currently our students represent more than 40 states, 28 countries, and four continents.

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17. What is security like at SJU?

Saint Joseph´s Public Safety and Security Office provides 24-hour security with officers/attendants stationed at University gates, on bicycles, in vehicles, on foot, and in residence halls. On campus shuttle service is available as well. Because the campus straddles the Philadelphia and the suburbs, campus security is bolstered by the Philadelphia and Lower Merion Police departments. For more information and crime statistics please visit the Public Safety and Security Web page.

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