About

See what students say:

Academics

According to undergraduates, the University of St. Francis gives its students “a quality education in a safe and warm learning environment.” Students single out the “good education, nursing, and history” programs as well as professors who treat each student “with individual respect” and “really want to see you do well.” “The teachers are here because they obviously love to teach,” one student says. Another Fighting Saint adds, “The courses are interesting, well-taught, and relevant.” Thanks to the “small” class sizes and “intimate” campus environment, students “really get to know” their professors, making it “hard to skip class”. Some students joke that St. Francis “is a school of dinosaurs”---while the faculty is “excellent,” “there are very few young teachers.” Though the university’s higher-ups are lauded as “genuinely” caring for students---especially the “gentle-hearted” president---the administration gets lesser marks. “I’m not sure anyone in administration knows what is going on,” complains a student. That said, it may just be the price to pay for attending a school one student refers to as “Nirvana.”

Student Body

“The majority of the students at USF are relatively local,” meaning that many of them can easily “commute.” However the proximity to Chicago draws a “very diverse population, including middle-class students and lower-class students.” And many of these undergrads are “highly motivated” and “know their educational goals.” Among the university’s fresh-from-high-school populace, “there are a lot of athletes.” There is also a lot of ethnic diversity.” Ultimately though, “everyone gets along very well” If you’re looking for that one thing that defines the typical USF undergrad, here it is: Very few have any problem wearing “pajamas to class.”

Campus Life

“Since our school is mainly commuters, the nightlife at our school is minimal,” says an undergrad. Many of the residential students “leave on the weekend.” The upshot is that, “generally speaking, it’s a pretty quiet school.” All the same, “There is usually a decent-sized party off campus about once a weekend.” One faithful partier even goes so far as to declare St. Francis “the biggest little party school in the world.” For those less inclined to imbibe, there are “a lot of sports teams” and “a lot of athletes.” Every fall, most students join in the “Camaraderie!” of watching Fighting Saints football. Students tend to be “involved in many extracurricular activities” when they aren’t “studying.” The student body’s commitment to community improvement reflects the university’s motto: “Respect. Service. Integrity. Compassion.” As one student puts its, USF is all about “education through experience and virtue.”

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Annette Jelinek
Welcome Center Coordinator

Address
500 Wilcox Street
Joliet, IL 60435

Phone
800-735-7500

Email
welcomecenter@stfrancis.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Bistro
Fireside Lounge in Motherhouse
The Abbey
Bernie's Pub
The Quad

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Inwood Sports Center
Chicago
Joliet Slammers
Chicagoland Speedway
Joliet Area Historical Museum

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 10 am, 1 pm, & 3 pm. Evening appointments are available upon request with advance notice.

800-735-7500

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Monday, Wednesday & Friday; 10am 1pm & 3pm
Average Length: 2 hours

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
varies

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Advance Notice
1 week

Contact Email Address for Visit
welcomecenter@stfrancis.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Visiting Center

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Limitations
Preference to accepted applicants

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
City buses and trains nearby. Nearby airports: O'Hare and Midway.

Driving Instructions to Campus
From I-55: Weber Road exit, turn left at light. Take Weber 7 miles to Plainfield Road/Rt 30 (turn left). Take Plainfield Road to Wilcox Street (turn right). USF is 1 1/2 blocks ahead on the right.

Local Accommodations
Clarion Hotel, Wingate Inn, Hampton Inn North, Fairfield Inn, Ramada Limited

Admissions

Applicants: 1,847
Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average HS GPA: 3.49






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