Saint Joseph's University - University City Location — Attraction in Philadelphia

I can't say anything about the school's academic program, because I only attended for a very short period of time, but their admissions and financial staff are the least trust-worthy bunch I've ever dealt with in an institutional setting.

The first time I visited the school, it was for an informational tour where I met up with the admissions office's assistant dean. He asked to see my transcript and resume, and immediately offered me admissions on the spot. Both my boyfriend (who accompanied me) and I were shocked. I was a very good student, and have gotten full scholarship offers before, but have never had a college that accepted me before I even filled out an application. While I was still trying to take everything in, the assistant dean of admissions went to talk to someone and then came back and offered me a scholarship package that would have covered most, if not all, of my tuition. He also gave me an admissions paperwork and urged me to fill it out before leaving. I was still pretty much undecided, but in the end decided to take him up on the offer due to influences from family and friends.

Lo and behold, shortly after classes have started, I found out that the scholarship they actually assigned to me was minimal because they said I had missed the deadline for the scholarship for which I was promised. Thus, requiring me to obtain a loan to pay for the bulk of my tuition. I went to speak to the assistant dean of admissions who had promised me the larger scholarship, because I didn't understand why I "missed the deadline" when I had filled out all the paperwork he said was needed for admissions, financial aid and scholarships the same day of the tour (including FAFSA and all other forms he gave me that day).

Aside from apologizing and telling me he didn't know what happened, he couldn't do anything to help me get that scholarship he had promised. I told him I couldn't afford that much loan and, in the end, he advised me to back-date and submit a withdrawal form so that the tuition would be zeroed-out (since I was only 2 days past the refund deadline). He assured me that the backdating would take care of my tuition and I wouldn't have to be responsible for it. Once again, I listened to him.

Of course, things once again didn't turn out as he had said. After I've withdrawn, I got a call from the financial office to meet with a financial personnel, who told me that the tuition could not be written off because the withdrawal form could not be back-dated, even if it's approved or advised by the admissions assistant dean. I explained to her my situation and how I had enrolled due to a promise of scholarship, and that I had to withdraw because I couldn't afford the tuition due to the scholarship didn't come through for reasons that were not my fault. She called the assistant dean and he confirmed everything that I've said, yet she still denied the tuition forgiveness just because it was 2 days past the official refund period - this in spite of the fact that everything that has led up to my withdrawal was due to misinformation given to me by their administration. There was no compassion. It's all about money.

During the entire meeting with her, I did not cry, but tears were streaming down my face. When I walked out of her office, fleeting thoughts of jumping down the second-story railings crossed my mind over and over again. I wanted to use my death to protest and to voice the incredible anguish that the University had pushed upon me. Thankfully, I quickly remembered each time that I still had a very sick mother waiting for my care.

Whether the assistant dean had the best intentions in mind, I do not know. All I know was that if it weren't for him, I wouldn't have enrolled in that school, and I wouldn't have withdrawn (if I was going to have to pay for the tuition anyways, then I might as well stay to earn the credits).

I was young, I was naive. It was shameful of the school to mislead and then refused to take any responsibility - putting all the burdens on a young person with a mentally-ill...

This is the 1st college of pharmacy in the USA. However, Usciences market themselves as being the best college of pharmacy in the USA, although the rankings says otherwise. They are not the best AT ALL.

During a tour years ago with my son, the school claimed that they are better than Drexel and Upenn (ivy league). They said their equipment was more advanced , their education is better, research opportunities, etc.. Who are educating the tour guides??

Usciences offer limited majors. Only in a few sciences. What about the other sciences? Technology, mathematics, engineering, etc?

The school is misleading and I wouldn't recommend this school. They want to be something they are not. If they don't offer more majors soon, they will shutdown.

I also agree with some of the other comments. The staff talks a lot of politics.. Also, a lot of Philadelphians or people living in the surrounding area never heard of the school. This is probably due to the...

Saint Joseph’s University’s University City location is a vibrant extension of the institution, offering students the best of both worlds: a historic Main Line suburb and a bustling Philadelphia neighborhood just west of Center City. This 24-acre campus provides a unique urban educational experience, with easy access to the city’s rich array of cultural, professional, and social opportunities. The University City location is home to innovative programs and partnerships, fostering a community that thrives on collaboration and experiential learning. It’s a place where students can immerse themselves in the dynamic energy of Philadelphia while pursuing their academic and career...