<p>I decided to apply to SJU on a whim after receiving an Academic Achievement Application email from them. No application fee, no essays, so I thought why not.</p>
<p>Anyway, I decided to ignore common sense and apply without really checking out the university thoroughly. Some of the reviews I've read seem to be out of a horror story; some about the underwhelming academics, others about the area and the student body.</p>
<p>I am from South Africa and I have already applied to many other universities in the US for a Computer Engineering major. Unfortunately SJU doesn't offer such a major, however their 5 year BS/MBA program in Computer Science really caught my attention. No application fee, so again I thought why not. Now I realize that their computer science program isn't really all that, if I were to consider rankings that is.</p>
<p>I've read that majority of the students at SJU aren't really interested in their education, and that the campus itself is in the middle of nowhere. I've read that freshman don't get to select their first-year courses and that is done for you with little consideration, I've read that advisers don't care about students and that many people feel a sense of entitlement by coming to a private university in New York. Of course this is hearsay and many of the reviews were probably from people who were ****ed-off when they wrote them. But the number of negative reviews concerns me.</p>
<p>Being an international, I really do not want to waste my parents' money on a college education that isn't really worth it.</p>
<p>So finally here are my questions. If I get denied everywhere else other than SJU, is it worth going for my intended major? Is the college as bad as some paint it to be? How are things there for an international freshman? How good is the Computer Science program?</p>
<p>SJU is not that bad as people say. It’s what people make of it. Queens is not in the middle of nowhere and the campus is not in the middle of nowhere. You can go anywhere and everywhere from Queens (to manhattan or LI).
On top of that, people apply to SJU for an education. where have you read that people are not interested in education? SJU offers many programs even has it’s own 6 year pharm program. I have no idea where you are getting your info from but whoever it’s from must have been an outlier at SJU.
It’s an excellent school for anyone and everyone who take their opportunities and enjoy them.</p>
<p>I also applied to SJU in hopes of being accepted to one of their five year programs.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe the reviews I’ve seen, its just the number of them that caught my attention. As you say they’re probably from outliers at SJU. I just wanted a few more opinions, hence the thread.</p>
<p>I have a son who attends St. Johns. I will tell you what I know. You cannot choose your first semester, freshman year classes, but after that you can choose what you want. They do give you a questionnaire as to what you would like to take though. The campus is in the middle of Queens, not exactly in the middle of nowhere. There are buses, subways and even a shuttle to the Jamaica train station so you can get anywhere you want from there. My son has had good professors, and not so good professors, but his advisor has been fantastic. Very quick to respond to any inquiry he makes. As in any school, you have students that care about their education, and ones that don’t. It is what you make of it. They have an excellent internship program, and a great study abraod program. A drawbacks seem to be the food, although there’s a couple food courts on campus. Also the required theology and philosophy classes, and the price tag. I wouldnt want to pay full price for this school, but for what we pay, my son is getting a fine education.</p>
<p>I also have a son who attends St. John’s. He turned down several other universities that were rated higher as he felt more comfortable at St. John’s after visiting and shadowing a student . At the time I was a little concerned as I had heard mixed reviews on St. John’s. He is extremely happy there. He has had very good professors and has enjoyed his courses. Many of the students he has met are very serious about their education.The student population is quite diverse and he has enjoyed meeting people from all over the world He is planning to study in Rome next semester where St. John’s has an actual campus. I am convinced he made the right decision.</p>
<p>I absolutely LOVE St Johns University and this is coming from someone who transferred after 1 year. The university is extremely diverse. There are many international students that attend the STJ. Ive met a ton of African natives, there’s also a club on campus that throws parties and events every now and then. You will only not enjoy this campus if you’re a debby downer and dont get involved with campus activities. You’re ten minutes away from the subway and STJ provides a charter bus/with movies to drive you to and from 42nd street. The advisors are extremely nice to you, a little bit too nice if you ask me. They’ll send you letters and they want you to meet with them atleast 4 times a year.
It’s required.
Other positives-
Free Laptop or Apple Ipad
On campus church
If you dorm- Private bathroom</p>
<p>The only negative I can think of at this moment is that-
Its a very small overcrowded- REALLY overcrowded campus.</p>
<p>My biggest regret was not staying at St Johns University.</p>