University of San Francisco

Human-​size campus. I had an amazing experience there. At USF, you’re actually treated like a person, not just a student ID number. Go Dons!

I completed my undergraduate degree here with a major in Marketing in May 2015.
I am going to start off with some positive things about this university. First off, it is very likely and possible that you can complete your undergraduate studies here in 4 years or less which is something that isn’t too common nowadays. I believe that this is one of the best aspects of the university. The classes are what you make of them. There are plenty of opportunities to go above and beyond what is required of you or just do the bare minimum to just get by and graduate on time. The staff such as the janitors, parking valets and cafeteria workers are all very pleasant and friendly as well. Lastly, the campus itself is beautiful and a great place for a photo shoot. Its also near major transit lines for the bus so its really easy to go out and explore the rest of San Francisco!
A lot of their regulations are all very disorganized and hard to understand. For instance, attending this university comes with a large price tag but there was little to no assistance in figuring out financial aid. I have called the financial aid office in need of assistance and have been put on a 5 – 10 minute hold nearly every semester. I know a handful students who have also have their classes temporarily dropped in some instances. The food on campus is solely distributed by a catering company so there are no outside restaurants allowed. The food the company provides is sub par at best but quite overpriced. If you live on campus you are required to enroll in a meal plan with a set amount of money in your account but if you don’t spend all of it by the end of the semester, you don’t get a refund.
As for campus life, its ok. There are a handful of clubs and greek organizations but only a few have a large following. Its hard to create friendships with other students on campus if those organizations don’t suit you. However, there is a large international population which makes it a great place for out of country students. They also have a very good study abroad program.
Parking is definitely one of the worst I’ve seen on a college campus. The garages are small, no higher than 3 stories and almost always fill up. There’s a semesterly lottery where students who enter have the chance to purchase a parking permit that allows you to park on campus 3 times a week. Otherwise, you have the option to purchase a 2 day parking permit or stand in line and buy one for $ 15 every time you park on campus. Parking permits range from about $ 100-​$ 300 a semester. However, some areas of the university have complimentary valet parking which is very convenient. If you choose not to park on campus there’s street parking available, though the majority of spots require you to move every 2 hours.

I am half way done with my graduate degree at Columbia University in New York, and I am so proud to say that USF prepared me exceptionally well to move on to graduate coursework.
USF has its faults, of course. But every single institution does.
My experiences at USF were invaluable. The education is rigorous, social justice focused, and broad in scope. They required classes that I never would have wanted to take, but ended up absolutely loving.
The psychology department was top notch. I worked in a research lab for 3 years, and worked with various other departments for many years as well as a student employee. I loved every minute of it.
If you want changes in your school experience, USF welcomes feedback and student activism.
Plus, I appreciate (now that I love in NYC) just how environmentally conscious USF campus is. Composting, recycling, water reuse, everything.
My sister will be graduating from USF this spring as well, and I cannot wait to come back and see the gorgeous campus again.

As much money as they make off of us, their students, you think they could funnel a little more into hiring better staff. Everyone (save one nice man in the office) that I’ve had the displeasure of interacting with is incredibly rude and unhelpful. They often just try and talk over you until you leave, or give you major attitude. Even the bookstore employees vary from kind to yelling, rude and uncooperative trying to kick you out ten minutes before they’re due to close. It’s just upsetting. Its like what, 50k a semester to go?

Did the MBA program. Really good. Awesome professors. Good learning. Superb with Analytics. My interest was in Marketing. Digital Marketing was hardly touched. So if you do this, be sure to supplement your learning by taking it into your own hands; like with General Assembly’s Digital Marketing course.
Also, the scene with placements and jobs is not active. Needs to be more aggressive and aligned with timeline of company hiring for internships, jobs etc. No on-​campus interviews are held. They keep asking you to log into ‘Symplicity’ portal which has not top-​level jobs. They did hold some great Speaker events though.
It’s an MBA that gives you everything you need to know in Entrepreneurship, Finance etc. Great cultural interactions here with students from across the world. And fab location of the MBA campus — downtown San Francisco. But remember to take your learning and career forward on your own with isolated focus. People who did that went far immediately, to Deloitte, Google and Cisco.
Posting this as I know students in far off countries seek info to make critical life decisions online. I am happy with what I did get from USF — Strategic & Analytical thinking. And experience with roadmapping in running the Marketing Club as President. That was the first thing that gave me a sense of taking charge, executing ideas, making things happen for a new audience with new kinds of responses in a new country.
The best course, the meat of the MBA was — Strategic Management in a Global Environment by Roger Chen. :)

Lost $ 55 app fee to USF. Called the director of Graduate Programs and they Informed me they hadn’t received anything, not even college transcripts and had nothing to evaluate. I then called the Records Dept of USF and they had received my transcripts for more than a month.
I didn’t appreciate the conflict so I requested a refund after talking with the USF Admissions PM. They didn’t respond, however they still decided to do processing of my application and keep the money. Not an honest school and they are a Catholic institution. Go figure. I just read the reviews and appears I have avoided further issues. I really wanted to go to USF, but now I know.

Now my two-​time alma mater, I will miss being a student at this University. Despite it’s faults (which I assume every school has in the opinion of the attendees), USF from my experience has the most caring, competent, and notable professors that contribute greatly to the academic experience you will have while there. There is a lot of history on the main campus as well as many newly added facilities when it recently got a face lift.
Across the street from the main campus (also on Fulton Street) is the law school. If you want a unique legal education with fantastic opportunities to build your skills before truly entering your career as an attorney, this is the place to be. Zief Library is a beautiful building with many staffed librarians armed with all the resources you need to successfully complete a research issue and draft various legal documents.

Rude! Rude! Staff! Katherine carter? Or
I emailed her asking a simple transfer question on the nursing program since her name is listed as the point of contact. A month passes and still NO reply. I then called and was told by the person on the line to try to email her because she doesn’t answer her phone. I then told them I HAD emailed her a month a go and had not received a response I had even sent her a second email. So then the person finally transferred me to this ladies line. She picked up the phone and was extremely rude and already blaming me for not sending her an email. I argued with her a bit and told her I am looking at the email I sent you right now yes that is your correct email I sent it 4 weeks ago. She was short and cut me off and said «well I will get to it when I get chance, but all of our information is on the website.» (Smart tone ass voice). She then said «well I will email you some information when I have time.» Hung up.
Wow! Nope don’t want to go to this school dealing with people like that! To this day it was been 3 months now and I have not received a reply back. Way to go USF! I am glad I won’t be going to your campus.

I am just three weeks away from finishing my first year at USF, I was admitted into their Nursing program after applying three different times. I love USF, personally I have never been in an educational environment, where every single student you come across wants to learn and has so much to offer. It is a great school, and if you can afford it I would highly recommend it. They truly care about educating the whole person, I am so happy in my decision to come here.

I highly do not recommend this school. I received a Masters from here and I’ve come to find out that I am missing courses that are required for licensure. When I called the school and spoke with Donna, she stated that many students have phoned and she has had to tell them all that they are (as I am) missing two required courses and that it was our responsibility, as students, to take those required courses at another college, as USF does not offer them. Why were we not told this? When I asked Donna, she stated, «I don’t know, as I wasn’t part of that decision.»
When I attended the school, I had a miscarriage one semester and the Ethics teacher, Dr. Patterson, asked me to do an extra credit assignment for the two classes I missed (One class I missed because I lost the baby and the next week, I was in the hospital). While the other teachers expressed sympathy and asked me to complete an extra credit assignment, Dr. Patterson had a different game in mind. In addition to the extra credit assignment, he had me take the exam and said I must repeat the class if I got anything less that 90%. I got 95% on the exam and he then insisted and forced me to retake the entire class. How ethical is that?
I have also had quite a lot of difficulty with the administration department, both when I was attending and now. The admin staff does not return phone calls and I have found that the only way to get what I need is to drive to the school and talk to the admin staff in person.
I really have deep regrets for having attended this school and now I’m stuck with two extra courses I need to take — at another school.

I am a prospective transfer student hoping to attend the university! I attended the transfer info session and campus tour. I have to say I was amazed in the environment and resources that the university provides for the students. The campus is beautiful, I met a few professors who were very forthcoming, and everything around it in San Francisco is great! Can’t wait!

Review is an outsider’s view of the campus.
I recently visited USF on an informal walking tour. I was immediately struck by how beautiful the campus was and the surrounding neighborhood very nice (I had no idea!)
There are some really gorgeous structures on campus and it’s located in the middle of a neighborhood, but doesn’t overwhelm it, nor detract from it.
When I visited, it was very warm and there were lots of students enjoying the outdoors. I was particularly glad to see an ethnically diverse student population, not something you always find at other universities.
In all, USF is an impressive looking school — small, urban and clean. I look forward to returning for a formal tour with my daughter this summer.
5 stars.

It had been quite some time since standing on the university grounds. I was pleasantly surprised to see all the modern building additions to the campus. Being a small Jesuit University, one can obtain an excellent education with a personal, more intimate feel than some of the larger institutions. In the City, infinite resources abound!

The bookstore is run by total morons. Don’t buy anything from here. They sell you things Usf gives you for free including expensive software.

I’m eating my hat. I am so very pleased to report that our student adviser has been replaced! Night to day. Some members of our administration have also turned over. From lip-​service to real and substantial service. They care, go to bat for us, have made positive changes and I now feel that my tuition is a better value. The campus is becoming more beautiful. Programs are shaping up and so are their reputations in the job market. Maybe USF received candid feedback about students who didn’t sense they were liked. I’ve noticed a huge change in the way staff and admin treats students. Special kudos for One-​Stop staff (enrollment/​financial aid office)!
One other thing. I had to take a class recently at City College of SF. This place is a like a penitentiary. This made me very, very grateful for USF.

This is for the part time MNA (Masters of Nonprofit Administration) program. My cohort was told by USF administration an array of perks and benefits about the program that ended up being false. From the length of the program, to the cost, the flexibility of the program or the ongoing scholarship amounts.
When I was admitted to the program, I was given 2k in merit scholarships, and then with one simple email to the admissions counselor, he magically was able to bump it up to 4k after I said that my employer wasn’t able to contribute. I was thrilled. He informed me that while that exact amount wasn’t guaranteed year to year, it was possible, depending on the pool of money at the beginning of any given school year.
NOW, 1 semester into the program we are told by the administration that YOU WILL NOT GET ANY ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP MONEY for the remainder of the program. They «like to save that money for incoming students.» Bait and switch.
There is a high level of distrust that my cohort and I have, we even went to the director of the program. He met with us, talked in circles and ended up not providing any remedies for THEIR mistakes, misprints online and smoke screens that the admissions office had told us up to the start of the program. Already 2 have dropped from the program, wasting over $ 6,000. Sad.
For a program that has been around for 30+ years, I was hoping for more professionalism. Unless you need a specific graduate degree within the nonprofit sector, please look elsewhere.

When I was applying to colleges, I had no idea where I would end up but I wanted to be close to home (somewhere in California) After getting admitted to UC irvine, St. Mary’s, Mills college, and USF, I had to choose where to spend my next four years. I decided on USF because it’s a private school (no furlough days or impacted classes) I loved the school’s location and the amazing people there. I lived in the dorms my first two years and met some of the best people from all over the world. There were a lot of international students in my classes.
After being in the biology program for four years, I can honestly say it was the best experience of my life! I took really interesting biology classes and worked in research. My professors were awesome. They have taught me a lot about biology and life in general. I have no regrets. I’ve met life long friends and made so many memories with the greatest people. My sister goes here now too. I mean who wouldn’t love going to school in the best city ever?

Attending here for my graduate studies for Business School of Management — attaining my Master of Science in Organization Development.
The entire application process was pretty direct & easy to navigate, the admission response time was quick, the graduate advising office was very nice & helpful, the orientation day was flawless & well put together with keynote speaker even though it was an 8 hour day.
The faculty is hysterically passionate about their job, Dean was very personable, intriguing classes, emphasis on ethics & morals which I love, & I am not Catholic but this is a Catholic Jesuit School & their style of teaching is very unique & innovative.
The down side, the parking is more difficult & expensive since my classes are at the downtown SF campus. It’s expensive for parking in downtown but then again it’s the city for you, as expected.

I wish that I could give this school a 0 star review. As far as the school being disorganized, that is very true. I was not impressed by the ability of the administration to help anyone. It seems that when they drop the ball, it is the fault of the student no one else. The campus is pretty but it is a glorified high school with a HIGH price tag. The classes are okay but not worth the tuition that is charged.
To me it seems the type of people that go to USF are the type that want to be part of a USF clique. A status thing. The school stresses academics but most of the students I interacted with did not have a clue.
In the end, USF seems like a money mill that is concerned with its bottom line and gaining more money by misleading students with it’s feel good tag lines. As far as financial aid make sure that is in order as I know a few people who were promised the world and received nothing but an excruciating bill. BUYER BEWARE!

So many critical reviews! Haters gonna hate.
Caring, passionate professors don’t exist here? THAT’S A STRAIGHT UP LIE!
Disorganized departments? UNHEARD OF!
I’m a Communication Studies major, graduating in 2014. All the articles and books I’ve ever read for core and non-​core classes have been highly enlightening. There have been so many interesting and thought-​provoking reads!
I just have to say that my professors have been beyond awesome! Every school will occasionally have some «eh» professors but the majority of mine have been crazy cool, highly intelligent, passionate, caring and supportive.
THE LIBRARY IS AMAZING! It’s fun to just get lost in there and explore.
Quality computer labs all around the campus. They converted what used to be Parina computer lab and Parina (spacious) lounge that were right next to each other into a huger study area with some private study rooms with TVs/​computers.
Price is definitely an issue. I WOULD NOT be able to attend this crazy great school if it weren’t for the generous asses in charge handing out grants to the students who could use them. I’m really lucky that because of USF’s financial aid, I’m able to get a quality education in, arguably, the most beautiful and greatest city in the world
The crime rate could be lower. We occasionally receive crime bulletin emails from USF. I wouldn’t say security sucks because when I lived on campus, I’d see campus security always patrolling around. I’m generally careful walking on the outskirts of campus and have never felt threatened.
The campus itself really is beautiful, especially the view from Lone Mountain.
For the most part, I’ve never met any disgustingly snobby people during my time at USF.
I thought people were especially friendly freshman year, in the dorms, since everyone’s
getting to know each other so just be social and open that first year.
Stay away from the $$$ cafeteria if you’re broke.
Dorms were okay, not horrid.