<p>How do the two locations compare/contrast. Is University City seemingly safer than the area of SJU? Any info about SJU's campus area would be appreciated. I visited UPenn and some other schools but only drove past one road of SJU's campus b/c we did not have any time to visit....so from what I saw it was a pretty campus but I was only on one side of the border of the campus and not near any hustle and bustle of the city...so I have no idea about the safety and stuff to do in SJU's area...</p>
<p>bump.....</p>
<p>like I know part of the campus lies in Wynnefield...which is middle-class suburb but a crack epidemic broke and caused riots....and gangs opereate there too...is this still a problem b/c it went on into the 90's but i'm not sure how it is today or if the gangs in the southern portion are near the campus...</p>
<p>bump.....I know SJU's thread isn't that lively, but if anyone has any info on the area that would be great.</p>
<p>bump......</p>
<p>St. Joes is bordering one of the loveliest areas of Philadelphia (the Main Line) and the city, which is not. Penn is totally in the city, but when we visited two years ago, safety at Penn is a non-issue. The two schools are completely different in terms of academics.</p>
<p>I have to respectfully disagree the above post. Safety IS an issue at Penn, as it is at SJU. SJU is a fairly self-contained campus, with lots of security. As mentioned above, to the west lies the "Main Line" an old, established bastion of money and sold households. SJU just bought The Episcopal Academy, now known as the Maguire Campus, which is in Lower Merion Township, which doubles the size of the campus in a safe direction. As with Penn, SJU has been buying up adjoining housing, to increase the safety zone around campus.
To get to the bad part of West Philadelphia, you need to head east about 10-15 blocks. THAT is where the horror stories of drugs and gangs begin. Having said that, I would not be a solo student walking around at night in either direction, especially when it is hot outside. For some reason, there is always more trouble when the weather gets steamy.
Common sense is in order here- if/when you party, do so with dorm mates/friends ON CAMPUS, don't accept an open drink/can from anyone, hold on to your libation, eat some starch before you head out for the night. Nothing good happens after midnight- people just get tired, don't realize it, and then do really stupid stuff. Drink lots on non-alcoholic liquids while out.
There is a train station [the Main Line Paoli Local] nearby which can zip you downtown or to Wynnewood/Ardmore/Haverford/Bryn Mawr/Wayne in a matter of minutes. Again, I would recommend using this with common sense. Suburban Square in Ardmore offers some good shopping options- Urban Outfitters, J Crew, Macy's, The Gap, etc., plus some great restaurants. Target is just north of campus, as is Saks.
I don't know that the 2 schools are "completely different in terms of academics"; as Penn is one of the Ivies, the competition for admission is greater that SJU, and it had a more widely know reputation. The most comparable school in the area is probably Villanova, which is west of SJU, and also a fine institution, although my daughter preferred the location of SJU. Drexel is also downtown, and has a completely different feel and look than either Penn or SJU- or Haverford, Swarthmore Whatever the school you choose, you will get out of it what you bring to school.
Sorry if this was too much of a ramble....</p>
<p>SJU is one SEPTA stop away from 30th St Station, from there you can walk to Penn. We can take the shuttle bus from SJU to local shopping, the King Of Prussia Mall and South St on weekends.</p>
<p>St. Joseph’s in not in a nice area and the area has no cultural or social attractions. Penn is in a fairly nice area of the city and near an enormous number of social and cultural attractions. No comparisson!</p>
<p>“St. Joes is bordering one of the loveliest areas of Philadelphia (the Main Line)”</p>
<p>St. Joe’s borders the ghetto of our lovely Main Line.</p>