University of San Francisco

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School Says - General Information
When the Jesuits founded the University of San Francisco in 1855, it was a one-room schoolhouse. Now, it is one of the West Coast's largest Catholic universities. Some things haven't changed: class size is still small, and student/faculty ratio is still low. USF has been dedicated to helping students learn the skills they need to improve their world for over 150 years. USF's Jesuit education is committed to providing all students with individual attention. Both love of learning and the willingness to face the challenge of serving society are fostered in programs in the arts, the sciences, business, education, nursing, and law.

San Francisco itself is a laboratory for students. The city and its university have interconnected histories, and today, this vibrant partnership gives students the wonderful opportunity to bring classroom theory into real, twenty-first-century life. There are 4,929 undergraduates on the 55-acre residential campus, and these students come from all 50 states and 80 countries. All students under the age of 21 and within two years of high school graduation must live on campus unless they have permanent residence within forty miles of the university. Students have access to facilities including libraries, a health and recreation center with an Olympic-size swimming pool, a coffeehouse, and several dining areas. Right outside is the city of San Francisco, and it has "facilities" of its own: the ballet, opera, museum exhibits, concerts, theater, and sports events. In addition, students have the opportunity to live with their peers in a cozy, laid-back environment within the residence halls. There are traditional residence halls and also University apartment-style facilities on campus. Both Hayes-Healy and Gillson Hall are for freshmen students. Sophomores are assigned to live in Phelan Hall, while most of the upperclassmen live in Lone Mountain Hall and Loyola Village. Double rooms are standard, but there are a few single rooms for upperclassmen. There are laundry facilities, study/computer rooms, and television lounges in every residence hall. Most floors in each dormitory also contain a community kitchen.

There are several dining facilities on campus that are convenient to the residence halls and classrooms. The Market has a dining environment similar to a food court with options for vegetarians and those who only consume organic foods. Other selections include a student-run coffeehouse, and a convenience store/cafe.

There are over 80 student-run associations for undergraduates at USF, including culturally focused clubs, leadership and community service organizations, honor and professional societies, and club sports and intramural programs. These associations include the oldest continuously performing theater group west of the Mississippi River: The College Players, an award-winning FM radio station, a weekly newspaper, and a literary magazine. The Career Services Center is one of the most active offices, aiding students in choosing a career path and learning about employment and internship opportunities. The exciting Koret Health and Recreation Center offers facilities for exercise, racquetball, swimming, court games, and socializing.

There are graduate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, law, and nursing.

School Says - Student Body
Every undergraduate student is a member of the Associated Students of the University of San Francisco (ASUSF). There are three purposes to the ASUSF: to represent the official student viewpoint, to recommend policies, and to fund activities and services. There are three branches: the executive branch, the Student Senate, and the Student Court. The main representative body of the undergraduate day students is the Senate, and it monitors the expenditures of the $200,000-plus student budget.

USF offers over 80 different clubs and organizations. They give students opportunities to be involved in leadership and professional organizations, honor societies, culturally focused clubs, fraternities and sororities, club sports and intramurals.

School Says - Academics
It is hoped that students leave USF with a well-rounded education and with a focus and awareness of social justice. A curriculum of 128 credits is required for the degree. General education requirements from six particular categories of knowledge make up 51 credits of the curriculum, including a nine-credit block of basic skills courses and 80 to 83 credits divided between major requirements and electives. Superior students may be selected for an honors program that provides a high academic challenge.

USF urges qualified high school students to study subjects traditionally reserved for colleges as early as possible. To this end, advanced placement courses, as certified by the College Board's Advanced Placement Program tests, are honored. USF also cooperates with the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students interested in obtaining this credit are required to take the CLEP tests before registering for their freshman courses.

A special program is available through the St. Ignatius Institute. The Institute offers a distinguished Great Books curriculum - a historical sequence of courses based on classical works of literature, theology, and philosophy, from ancient Greece to the contemporary world.

Army ROTC is also available at USF, and qualified applicants and continuing students have access to ROTC scholarships.

Two semesters make up the academic year, and there are also summer sessions and a January intersession.

School Says - Admissions
Admission is selective, and each application receives an individual review. USF desires a high-quality and diverse student body, and thus encourages applications from men and women of all races, nationalities, and religious beliefs. Prospective students are evaluated on many criteria, including high school grade point average, the application essay, a personal recommendation, and satisfactory test scores. All applicants must take the SAT I or the ACT, and international applicants must take the TOEFL or IELTS. A completed application file is made up of the application form, an essay, all academic transcripts, test scores, and one letter of recommendation. For the fall semester, November 15 is the deadline for early action and January 15 is the deadline for regular action.

For additional information, please contact:
Office of Admission
University of San Francisco
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-1046
Telephone: 415-422-6563
800-CALL-USF (toll free outside California)
Fax: 415-422-2217
E-mail: admission@usfca.edu
World Wide Web: www.usfca.edu

School Says - Campus Life
The beautiful University of San Francisco campus is 55 acres, and is located in a residential neighborhood. Downtown San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean are just minutes away, and the 1,000-acre Golden Gate Park is only a few blocks away. There are many benefits of an urban campus, and San Francisco's diversity and compact geography allow students to discover research facilities, community involvement options, and work opportunities found in few other cities.

School Says - Cost Aid
Estimated cost of tuition for the 2008-2009 school year is $36,000. Room and board are $11,990 for the academic year. An additional $5,480 per year is generally required for books, fees, travel, and other expenses.Many scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs are available for USF students, and all students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Over two-thirds of all University students receive some form of financial assistance. Students have access to many jobs both on and off campus.

New freshman applicants with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.8 and a combined SAT I score of 1320 (Critical Reading + Math sections only) or an ACT composite score of 30 can participate in the University Scholars Program. University Scholars receive a non-need-based scholarship that covers a large portion of tuition costs for four years of undergraduate work. Scholars must maintain a GPA of 3.25 to remain eligible. Students eligible for University Scholars are identified during the admission process, and interested students must apply for admission by the November 15 early action deadline.

Students Say - Academics
The University of San Francisco is a smallish Jesuit school "in an urban setting" with a "very liberal" "social justice slant." Global awareness programs and seminars are routine, and a strong community-service ethic permeates the atmosphere. Class sizes are small, and students report that their academic experience is "intimate and intellectual." Some members of the faculty at USF "seem to just skate through the workday" and are "not necessarily the best teachers." On the whole, though, "the shining star of USF is its professors." They are "ridiculously generous with their time" and are "really the best reason" to enroll. Like at most Catholic schools, "you're required to take everything from English to philosophy to religion" here. "The core curriculum is a bitch," but it does expose you to considerable wisdom. Beyond all the mandatory coursework, USF offers a breadth of options typical of a much larger university. Highlights include the business school and "a very popular nursing program." Education is "also very strong," and there's a four-year Great Books program. Administratively, "the school is run quite well," but there are "disgruntled types who like to make things difficult." Also, "registration is frustrating at times," and advising can be hit-or-miss. "I've had great advisers who have guided me through registration over the years," says a math major, "but others aren't as lucky."

Students Say - Campus Life
Housing is a catastrophe at USF. Students feel "really crammed" and complain that the people in charge "just put people together with no thought to whether they are compatible." There's a nice gym, though, with a pool that "basically covers an entire city block." Socially, "there is no sense of community." "Student groups consist of only the hardcores," and "the lack of school spirit can be quite a downer." "Going to USF is definitely the nontraditional college experience because everyone is pretty much doing their own thing." "Drinking is prevalent," and students "smoke a lot of weed," but "there isn't a big party scene other than little get-togethers in the dorms." House parties are rare "and usually never work out." On-campus activities are sparse, "but who would go anyway?" USF is located "in the heart of San Francisco," and "there is always something going on" in this "vibrant," "distracting" city. Most students "go off-campus on the weekends to explore" and "have adventures." On sunny days, "the best place to be is either Golden Gate Park or the beach." "Stellar museums, numerous theaters, national landmarks, shopping, world-class dining, funky art houses," and pretty much anything else is readily available. "Getting around on the buses is super easy," and public transportation passes are built into the tuition price. "The university is totally integrated into the city, and those who come to USF new to San Francisco will leave feeling like they belong here," promises a senior.

Students Say - Student Body
USF is home to "one of the most ethnically diverse schools in the country." The Asian and Latino populations are especially high, and there's a noticeable international contingent. According to many females, though, the ratio of women to men is "pitiful." It's "pretty hard to date or even hook up" if you are straight because "most guys are taken or gay." "Students tend to stick with a small, close-knit group of friends," but virtually everyone is "able to fit in easily in the USF community no matter how eccentric." Except possibly conservatives. Liberal politics pervade, and USF "may not be the place for more right-leaning students." Some students "dress in alternative or funky clothing" and are "experimental (with everything from sexuality and music to drugs)." "Many students are Catholic but aren't necessarily strictly practicing." A lot of people smoke cigarettes. There are "science nerds," "hippies," and the occasional "shopping addict." Some students are "outspoken and outgoing." Others "have their iPods on all the time." "There are a lot of super-wealthy kids" from Southern California. Others are on scholarships and loans "and barely making it." "People are passionate. Some are lazy. A few are beautifully artistic. A bunch are athletic. A couple are phony. Some are damn smart. Others are pretty ignorant. But at least we got it all," muses a sophomore.

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