Enrollment: 1329
Average SAT: 489
Average ACT: 20
Most Popular Majors: Business Administration and Management, General,Elementary Education and Teaching,Human Services, General,
Student Faculty Ratio: 10:1

Undergraduate Receiving Need-Based Financial Aid: 8
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $15,170.00

Students Say - Academics
Based on the "principles of the Sisters of St. Joseph," who founded the school, the purpose of attending Chestnut Hill College is "receiving a 'holistic education.'" That is, students are expected to "to grow in knowledge and in spirituality" during their tenure here. To that end, students are exposed to a wide range of subjects through a core curriculum. Students have mixed feelings about these core classes. Whereas some students believe that the core classes really make them "well rounded individuals," others complain that that roundedness comes at a cost: "In core classes/general education courses, the teachers are less knowledgeable than other professors and are often first-year teachers and stumble on their own words." Still, overall, students feel "the full-time profs here are excellent." "They actually remember your name and genuinely care about you. To them you are their student and not just a name on the roster sheet." However, "Sometimes the adjuncts aren't too good." Concerning how hard they are expected to work, students feel that "It's not a competitive school, but the academics are challenging." As far as the administration goes, students don't offer very many kind words. Some say that "The registrar is sometimes not quite on the ball,"and others "wish financial aid was run more efficiently." Other students offer more generalized critiques: The "administration is inept, unaccountable, and seem to be blind-folded half the time;" "They basically give you a run around."

Students Say - Campus Life
Chestnut Hill College is located on the border of Philadelphia, so there is plenty to do when you step off campus. You can catch "either the Chestnut Hill west or east train into Center City. From there, you can get anywhere. You can also catch the R5 in Ambler (5 miles away) and go up towards Doylestown. You have this safe country, old time feel with the Chestnut Hill area, but you are minutes from anything you could ever want for entertainment." Within the Chestnut Hill area itself students go "down Germantown Ave. for fun. There are a lot of great shops and places to eat on the avenue." "There is also a mall and a movie theater nearby and many campus organizations hold events on campus." The social crossroads of campus is the piazza, where students are almost always hanging out "regardless of how cold it is, and joking around." Because of the school's strict alcohol policies, students also "go off campus to parties whether at a different college or someone's house." The general vibe amongst undergraduates is that there is a time for work and a time for play: "On weeknights, we have heavy workloads, but on Thursday to Sunday we have fun." Students' biggest complaint about living conditions at Chestnut Hill concerns the on-campus fare. Simply put, "the caf food is horrible."

Students Say - Student Body
The typical student at Chestnut Hill is "between the ages of 18-23," "middle-class," and from the East Coast, most probably from "from the tri-state area." He or she is "goal-oriented" and "focused," but also "very outgoing, friendly and willing to help just about anybody." This person is "involved in campus affairs" and "does a lot of volunteer work," but "could be of any ethnicity." Because of the small size of the school, "everyone knows everyone." In general, the school has a "laid back atmosphere; you can wear sweatpants and a hoodie and not worry" that you will be judged for your sartorial slovenliness. "There are a few atypical students but there does not seem to be any prejudice or discrimination towards them."

Temple University
West Chester University of Pennsylvania

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