Welcoming the Class of 2027

The fall 2023 semester is around the corner and the Class of 2027 is making its way to campus for Welcome Weekend. The first-year students are part of one of the most internationally diverse classes in University history, coming from as far as New Zealand, and they’re excited to explore their passions in the classroom.

“[An] influential factor in choosing Saint Joseph's University was its impressive academics and wide variety of majors,” says incoming student Emily Bansky ’27, an undecided humanities major. “I am able to explore my interests before declaring a major.”

Banksy and her classmates will have hundreds of majors and minors to choose from this year, including new majors in communication sciences and disorders, health administration, graphic design and quantitative economics, along with minors in museum studies, pharmaceutical science and pharmacology and toxicology. These programs are in addition to the new health science programs that were added last year as part of the University’s School of Health Professions.

Outside of the classroom, students will have the opportunity to experience all Philadelphia has to offer, with many students calling the City of Brotherly Love home for the first time. In fact, students from the Class of 2027 hail from 28 states, including Puerto Rico, and 16 different countries, including Japan, Morocco, New Zealand and Ukraine. The first-year class echoes the University’s mission of inclusivity and diversity, including 27.4% students of color.

Also new to St. Joe’s this year are more than 100 transfer students from Cabrini University. With Cabrini set to close its doors in 2024, Saint Joseph’s has offered those students a seamless path to entry, with guaranteed admission, tuition matching, core curriculum transfer and no graduation delays.

An Inside Look at the New Students

Dan Shapovalov ’27

Hometown: Ukraine

Major: Computer Science

“I chose Saint Joseph's University because of the hospitality and support that were provided to me during my visit. I saw an amazingly connected community of students and faculty who are ready to kindly welcome you and bring you under the Hawk’s wing, giving you a fabulous education and lots of memories.” 

Emily Bansky ’27

Hometown: Woolwich, New Jersey 

Major: Undecided humanities

“I chose Saint Joseph’s University primarily due to its location. I appreciate the proximity of Philly, and while the city is so close, the University still maintains a campus that doesn't make it feel like it is right next to the city. Another influential factor in choosing Saint Joseph's University was its impressive academics and a wide variety of major options; I am currently undecided and it allows me to explore my interests before declaring a major.”
 

Bryce Gaines ’27

Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia

Major: Business Intelligence and Analytics

Extracurriculars: SJU Baseball 

“Coming from Gonzaga College High School, a Jesuit High School in Washington, D.C., I love and value the similarities in service leadership for others that St. Joe’s provides. My high school experience was rooted in it, as well as academic and athletic excellence. In selecting a school, I also wanted to be in a city but with a suburban campus feel, which SJU provides. The athletics and the opportunity to play Division I baseball were also very important to me. And, I have to say freshman orientation in June was a lot of fun and very informative.”