When I was searching for potential Universities as a high school Junior, I was overwhelmed by the options. Public or private? Large or small? Co-Ed, or all female? So many options, and I didn't have an idea.
At first, University of Saint Joseph (Saint Joseph College when I began to attend in fall of 2010) located in West Hartford, Connecticut seemed to be the antithesis of what I wanted my college experience to be. Where were all the boys? The dorms were so small and the school wasn't much larger than my high school. I didn't understand how I could enjoy this University. It didn't look anything like the movies. It just seemed like high school all over again, except the luxury of boys was taken away.
I spent a day shadowing students and sitting in on classes for my potential major. That’s when I fell in love with the school. Yes, the classes were small. They ranged from 10-35 at the most so yes, it was like high school. The teachers knew everyone by name and were so easily available to ask questions during the lectures. I thought to myself, this is such a more nurturing environment. In a lecture of 300, a professor most likely wouldn't take questions during their lecture, and you would have to take more time trying to learn a subject. In these small classes, the teachers answered your questions mid-lecture which enhanced the learning environment and kept the students attention and focus. I felt my education was more heavily valued.
The most influential and ultimate reason I chose University of Saint Joseph was the community it's students and staff created. Everyone knew each other and students helped other students academically and were able to build life-long friendships and relationships that changed their lives. Professors were aware of other classes you were taking, and would work out with other professors to move exams to allow more study time for students. If you felt that you needed a study group, you could suggest it to the professor and you were able to have their help and attention for more than an entire course period to ask questions and review.
The small campus allowed University of Saint Joseph faculty to show how much they really care about their students and demonstrate all the ways they will try and help you succeed. It also allowed for me to become a more effective student.
My graduating class was 600 students, 55 of which were the first class to graduate from the University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy. My advice to every prospective student who looks at this school and second guesses for all the ways it’s not exactly like a 90’s college movie: are you paying to get the guy or an education? Small school foster a positive learning environment that large schools just cannot. This small school changed my life and I hope it can change yours one day too.
