SJU's campus and SJU in general

[Sherman Sheridan & Grant]

My experience at St. John's undergrad on SI was exactly what this young U of Fla grad had to say. BUT, my experience in Queens at the Law School was exactly the opposite, extremely competitive. Once the Prof told us all to read some new case, and, before the internet you had to climb ladders and pull books off shelves, well, someone had taken a razor and pirated the case so no one else could read it. Anyway, the atmosphere for the most part, with some exceptions, was not very collegial. Looking back, great education; not too many fond memories. Left with only a couple of close friends. Candidly, I've heard that from others about other law schools, so maybe it is just the nature of the beast.

In general, Queens is a lot more desirable than 80% of the college towns I've visited over the years.
For parents, St. John's is a small campus and not as intimidating as Ohio State and Columbus or Texas A&M and College Station. The free student bus takes them from the campus to the Long Island R.R. for a quick safe ride into the Big Apple. Academics aside, it has everything most college campuses have in addition to being able to explore the greatest cultural metropolis in the world.
If being in a small college town in Palookaville and dining at Denny's is your speed then by all means, go and be happy.

Meanwhile, in Fun's neck of the woods they had some excitement at Denny's that made the national media.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/violent-brawl-erupts-diners-denny-article-1.3147652

Here's an anecdotal example:

A few years ago I was in the Keys, and we took this dolphin tour in the offseason. The boat had only one other couple on the tour, and they happened to be on their honeymoon. We got to talking after a while, and they were a Floridian couple on a honeymoon paid by their wedding guests in lieu of gifts. They were from the east coast of Florida. Turns out the husband just graduated SJU law and they were living in Queens. He went to U of Fla, and he said, "You know what I really liked about SJU? The other students were so kind. It was very much unlike going to college in Fla as an undergrad, and it really struck me how nice everyone was to me."

Score one for New Yorkers as good and kind people, and just one more reason SJU is still a nice place for students to choose, as it was for most of us in any era.

I wasn't in law school, but I do know they've offered a lot of scholarships to kids who had gotten accepted to much higher profile schools, so maybe the culture has changed. It's also possible that this guy's experience was relative to his experience as an undergrad in Florida. Either way, it's nice to hear that kind of stuff, even if anecdotal. While we may not be located in beautiful and prestigious places like Albany, it's nice enough on campus and in Queens.

Yes my daughter was offered a " full ride" & though she went elsewhere the experience w SJU Law was a positive one - I think SJU's law school ranking by has been improving!

 

[Sjugrad13]

To be honest while we may not have the "most Beautiful" campus it is Nice and pleasant to walk around. The recently added architecture is quite nice. To me the big "No sell" to students is the declining academic rankings and the fact that it is still primarily a commuter school The dorms built in the 90's? we a tremendous help but not enough (IMHO) ...I always thought the ROTC should be moved and the space better utilized for additional dorms. Recruits realize this and simply aren't interested. As far a academics is concerned....it matters! Why would a C student want to go to a C school when their basketball ability can get them into a B+ school and STILL be in a competitive conference and be on TV every game. (Being ranked by US News at 160 or so is a "C" school to the eyes of parents...whether it is or isn't). Those are the facts.

160 ( but based on academics its 96) out 5300 ( not counting for-profits which aren't real schools) is still in the top 3 percent no?

Edit: it's actually 3.01886 ( my bad)

If you graduate in the top 4 percent isn't that good?

 

[plandome4]

That's what I love about data...depending how you measure it the results can change dramatically. Last I looked St. John's is ranked on the National scale. Taking U.S. News as a reference....there are only 310 schools listed. So according to my fuzzy math that puts us in the Top 51%...No? Comparing national to Liberal Arts to Regional is very difficult and yes there may be up to 5300 schools as you say but NO ONE LOOKS AT THAT. Most kids//parents only look at the overall number to see what the overall experience will be. I love this school but the facts are the facts...Parents looking at the national Universities want their kids to go to a top 10/25/50 school and in some cases the top 160th.and we are heading in the wrong direction (according to the publications)

To be honest while we may not have the "most Beautiful" campus it is Nice and pleasant to walk around. The recently added architecture is quite nice. To me the big "No sell" to students is the declining academic rankings and the fact that it is still primarily a commuter school The dorms built in the 90's? we a tremendous help but not enough (IMHO) ...I always thought the ROTC should be moved and the space better utilized for additional dorms. Recruits realize this and simply aren't interested. As far a academics is concerned....it matters! Why would a C student want to go to a C school when their basketball ability can get them into a B+ school and STILL be in a competitive conference and be on TV every game. (Being ranked by US News at 160 or so is a "C" school to the eyes of parents...whether it is or isn't). Those are the facts.

160 ( but based on academics its 96) out 5300 ( not counting for-profits which aren't real schools) is still in the top 3 percent no?

Edit: it's actually 3.01886 ( my bad)

If you graduate in the top 4 percent isn't that good?

 

[jerseyshorejohnny]

Interesting discussion.

That said, is anyone going to Alumni Weekend ?

Next Saturday Bobby is holding a Q&A

Would think he would be the best person to address these issues

Most likely there will be a good number of Board of Trustee members there as well

 

[Class of 72]

My experience at St. John's undergrad on SI was exactly what this young U of Fla grad had to say. BUT, my experience in Queens at the Law School was exactly the opposite, extremely competitive. Once the Prof told us all to read some new case, and, before the internet you had to climb ladders and pull books off shelves, well, someone had taken a razor and pirated the case so no one else could read it. Anyway, the atmosphere for the most part, with some exceptions, was not very collegial. Looking back, great education; not too many fond memories. Left with only a couple of close friends. Candidly, I've heard that from others about other law schools, so maybe it is just the nature of the beast.

In general, Queens is a lot more desirable than 80% of the college towns I've visited over the years.
For parents, St. John's is a small campus and not as intimidating as Ohio State and Columbus or Texas A&M and College Station. The free student bus takes them from the campus to the Long Island R.R. for a quick safe ride into the Big Apple. Academics aside, it has everything most college campuses have in addition to being able to explore the greatest cultural metropolis in the world.
If being in a small college town in Palookaville and dining at Denny's is your speed then by all means, go and be happy.

Meanwhile, in Fun's neck of the woods they had some excitement at Denny's that made the national media.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/violent-brawl-erupts-diners-denny-article-1.3147652

Here's an anecdotal example:

A few years ago I was in the Keys, and we took this dolphin tour in the offseason. The boat had only one other couple on the tour, and they happened to be on their honeymoon. We got to talking after a while, and they were a Floridian couple on a honeymoon paid by their wedding guests in lieu of gifts. They were from the east coast of Florida. Turns out the husband just graduated SJU law and they were living in Queens. He went to U of Fla, and he said, "You know what I really liked about SJU? The other students were so kind. It was very much unlike going to college in Fla as an undergrad, and it really struck me how nice everyone was to me."

Score one for New Yorkers as good and kind people, and just one more reason SJU is still a nice place for students to choose, as it was for most of us in any era.

I wasn't in law school, but I do know they've offered a lot of scholarships to kids who had gotten accepted to much higher profile schools, so maybe the culture has changed. It's also possible that this guy's experience was relative to his experience as an undergrad in Florida. Either way, it's nice to hear that kind of stuff, even if anecdotal. While we may not be located in beautiful and prestigious places like Albany, it's nice enough on campus and in Queens.

Yes my daughter was offered a " full ride" & though she went elsewhere the experience w SJU Law was a positive one - I think SJU's law school ranking by has been improving!

The Law School is among the best in the nation. My nephew selected Villanova over St. John's and Cardozo because around 7 years ago they were ranked higher. Now they are equal and only trail Georgetown among Big East schools.

 

[otis]

Parents looking at the national Universities want their kids to go to a top 10/25/50 school and in some cases the top 160th.and we are heading in the wrong direction (according to the publications)

Basketball recruits and their parents are far less likely for focus on USNews like rankings than NCAA Tournament seedlings and win/ loss records.

The USNews rankings of ULouisville (#171) Wichita State University (no ranking published) have not impaired those two schools from enrolling top D1 talent.

If academics were important to all recruits and their families then The Ivy and Patriot League would have teams vying for the national championships in D1 sports.

 

[austour]

That's what I love about data...depending how you measure it the results can change dramatically. Last I looked St. John's is ranked on the National scale. Taking U.S. News as a reference....there are only 310 schools listed. So according to my fuzzy math that puts us in the Top 51%...No? Comparing national to Liberal Arts to Regional is very difficult and yes there may be up to 5300 schools as you say but NO ONE LOOKS AT THAT. Most kids//parents only look at the overall number to see what the overall experience will be. I love this school but the facts are the facts...Parents looking at the national Universities want their kids to go to a top 10/25/50 school and in some cases the top 160th.and we are heading in the wrong direction (according to the publications)

To be honest while we may not have the "most Beautiful" campus it is Nice and pleasant to walk around. The recently added architecture is quite nice. To me the big "No sell" to students is the declining academic rankings and the fact that it is still primarily a commuter school The dorms built in the 90's? we a tremendous help but not enough (IMHO) ...I always thought the ROTC should be moved and the space better utilized for additional dorms. Recruits realize this and simply aren't interested. As far a academics is concerned....it matters! Why would a C student want to go to a C school when their basketball ability can get them into a B+ school and STILL be in a competitive conference and be on TV every game. (Being ranked by US News at 160 or so is a "C" school to the eyes of parents...whether it is or isn't). Those are the facts.

160 ( but based on academics its 96) out 5300 ( not counting for-profits which aren't real schools) is still in the top 3 percent no?

Edit: it's actually 3.01886 ( my bad)

If you graduate in the top 4 percent isn't that good?

Actually that would put STJ in the 48.4 percentile, If your ranked 160 of 310, more than 50% are better than you. But you did admit your math was fuzzy so never mind.

PS just checked. It's actually 168 out of 310 this year which would put it in the 45.8 percentile.

 

[Knight]

What are the ratings based on? Jobs in field after graduation?

 

[austour]

 

[redken]

My experience at St. John's undergrad on SI was exactly what this young U of Fla grad had to say. BUT, my experience in Queens at the Law School was exactly the opposite, extremely competitive. Once the Prof told us all to read some new case, and, before the internet you had to climb ladders and pull books off shelves, well, someone had taken a razor and pirated the case so no one else could read it. Anyway, the atmosphere for the most part, with some exceptions, was not very collegial. Looking back, great education; not too many fond memories. Left with only a couple of close friends. Candidly, I've heard that from others about other law schools, so maybe it is just the nature of the beast.

In general, Queens is a lot more desirable than 80% of the college towns I've visited over the years.
For parents, St. John's is a small campus and not as intimidating as Ohio State and Columbus or Texas A&M and College Station. The free student bus takes them from the campus to the Long Island R.R. for a quick safe ride into the Big Apple. Academics aside, it has everything most college campuses have in addition to being able to explore the greatest cultural metropolis in the world.
If being in a small college town in Palookaville and dining at Denny's is your speed then by all means, go and be happy.

Meanwhile, in Fun's neck of the woods they had some excitement at Denny's that made the national media.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/violent-brawl-erupts-diners-denny-article-1.3147652

Here's an anecdotal example:

A few years ago I was in the Keys, and we took this dolphin tour in the offseason. The boat had only one other couple on the tour, and they happened to be on their honeymoon. We got to talking after a while, and they were a Floridian couple on a honeymoon paid by their wedding guests in lieu of gifts. They were from the east coast of Florida. Turns out the husband just graduated SJU law and they were living in Queens. He went to U of Fla, and he said, "You know what I really liked about SJU? The other students were so kind. It was very much unlike going to college in Fla as an undergrad, and it really struck me how nice everyone was to me."

Score one for New Yorkers as good and kind people, and just one more reason SJU is still a nice place for students to choose, as it was for most of us in any era.

I wasn't in law school, but I do know they've offered a lot of scholarships to kids who had gotten accepted to much higher profile schools, so maybe the culture has changed. It's also possible that this guy's experience was relative to his experience as an undergrad in Florida. Either way, it's nice to hear that kind of stuff, even if anecdotal. While we may not be located in beautiful and prestigious places like Albany, it's nice enough on campus and in Queens.

Yes my daughter was offered a " full ride" & though she went elsewhere the experience w SJU Law was a positive one - I think SJU's law school ranking by has been improving!

The Law School is among the best in the nation. My nephew selected Villanova over St. John's and Cardozo because around 7 years ago they were ranked higher. Now they are equal and only trail Georgetown among Big East schools.

Seton Hall's rated above St. John's (including by US News for 2018) and has been in recent years, with Georgetown, of course, at the top of BE law schools.