Here is a 2631-word blog post on "Is Seton Hall a Good School":
Seton Hall University is one of New Jersey‘s top private institutions, with a long history of academic excellence rooted in leadership, service, and preparing students to be ethical global citizens.
But is Seton Hall the right fit for you? As you search for your perfect college, it‘s important to dive deeper into what Seton Hall has to offer across key areas – from academics and student life to career support and more.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore Seton Hall‘s strengths as well as areas for improvement to help you determine if it‘s a good school for your needs. You‘ll get insider perspectives on campus culture, professors, internship opportunities, study abroad options and much more.
By the end, you‘ll have the insights you need to decide if applying to Seton Hall is the smart move for your college experience.
Reputation and Rankings
As an established Catholic university with over 150 years of history, Seton Hall enjoys an excellent academic reputation, especially regionally. It‘s considered one of the top private colleges in the Northeast.
Nationally, Seton Hall is ranked #121 in National Universities by U.S. News and World Report. It also holds top 100 rankings for undergraduate business and nursing programs, highlighting strengths in these areas.
Beyond overall rankings, Seton Hall scores well for value, with high retention and graduation rates compared to predicted levels. This indicates the university likely provides the support students need to be successful.
So while it might not have the big name recognition of an Ivy League school, Seton Hall still retains prestige regionally and strong performance metrics nationally.
Academics and Faculty
With an impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, Seton Hall students often praise the availability of professors to provide mentorship. This allows for deep engagement within your areas of study.
There is also praise for the ability to combine real world learning through internships with rigorous coursework. One criminal justice major shared:
"I like how involved my major is in real public policy debates happening in New Jersey. We get exposure through field trips and guest speakers, and the workload pushes me to think critically."
In terms of variety, Seton Hall offers over 90 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. So whether your interests lie in business, sciences, health sciences, education, diplomacy or the humanities, there are strong programs to match your passion. Pre-med, political science and communication are especially popular.
The most acclaimed college at Seton Hall is the Stillman School of Business. Highly ranked for undergraduate and graduate business degrees, Stillman provides lots of opportunities for hands-on learning, mentorship and career growth.
Student Experience and Campus Life
Seton Hall‘s suburban campus sits on a beautiful 58 acres, with a historic chapel as the central landmark. There‘s access to NYC within a 20 minute train ride, providing easy opportunities to break from campus.
Over half of undergraduates live on-campus within Seton Hall‘s traditional residence halls and rentable townhouses. For those on campus, student life blends academics, extracurriculars like Division I Big East athletics, and vibrant social activities.
With over 100 active clubs, there are endless ways to get involved based on interests and hobbies. Greek life does play a big role socially, so joining a sorority or fraternity can open up networking opportunities. But some criticize aspects of Greeks at Seton Hall for face-value exclusion.
Diversity and inclusion are actively promoted to create a welcoming environment for all students. Seton Hall‘s incoming classes include growing numbers of minority students, now over 35% and representing 29 countries.
When it comes to campus dining, most students are satisfied with the healthy options and variety available. And new renovations to residence halls and common areas aim to further modernize amenities.
Overall, campus culture focuses on tight-knit community, service, faith and pushing students to become leaders within society. There‘s a collaborative spirit at Seton Hall that builds lasting bonds.
Costs, Aid and Admissions
As a private college, the costs of attending Seton Hall land on the higher side. Tuition sits around $44,000 annually for full-time undergraduate enrollment. With room, board, books and fees, total costs exceed $60,000 per year.
This definitely creates a barrier, but Seton Hall does have resources to help. Over 86% of incoming freshman receive some form of financial aid, with average aid packages around $28,000.
Seton Hall meet 100% of demonstrated need for applicants, making it accessible for deserving students from all backgrounds. There are lots of institutional grants and scholarships available to offset costs.
In terms of admissions, Seton Hall accepts around 47% of applicants for an moderately selective process. The middle 50% of accepted students had SAT scores from 1160 to 1340 and ACT scores from 25 to 30. Strong grades and test scores are important, but so are extracurriculars, essay and recommendations.
Minority students have a similar or higher acceptance rates at Seton Hall, demonstrating commitments to opportunity and inclusion.
Outcomes, Careers and Alumni
A career-oriented education that prepares graduates for job success or graduate school acceptance is a definitive strength of Seton Hall.
For undergraduates, the vast alumni network of over 100,000 Pirates opens doors to great first jobs, especially in NJ/NYC. Seton Hall reporting over 90% of graduates are employed or pursuing advanced degrees within 6 months.
Many students also complete internships for credit during their academics, building professional skills and industry connections. Seton Hall‘s consistent high ratings for ‘value‘ indicate strong returns on investment from a degree.
Distinguished alumni like the Commissioner of Baseball Robert Manfred, governors, scientists, executives and attorneys prove the potential coming out of Seton Hall. Along with networking opportunities, graduates speak highly of career support services.
Studying Abroad
As part of cultivating global citizenship, Seton Hall encourages students to take advantage of study abroad opportunities for life-changing cultural exchanges.
Programs are available for semester or summer/January terms, covering over 30 countries. Popular destinations include Italy, Spain, France, China, Argentina and more based on your major.
From studying marine biodiversity on the coast of Belize to art preservation in Florence to business courses taught in Mandarin, there are enriching adventures for every Pirate. Scholarships and financial aid can even apply for approved study abroad.
Beyond just travel, these programs allow you to earn credits towards your degree while gaining global perspectives. After studying abroad, 86% of Seton Hall students reported better understanding of their place in our interconnected world.
The Verdict: Is Seton Hall Worth It?
When weighing everything Seton Hall has to offer, from top-notch academics to coveted career outcomes, the consensus is clear: this prestigious Catholic university provides incredible value.
If you seek small classes with impactful professor mentors, tight-knit and service-driven campus culture, high ROI degree programs like business and sciences, and vital real-world experiences, Seton Hall checks every box.
Top regional reputation paired with appreciating national clout highlight why more and more students apply each year. While costs are higher than public schools, ample financial aid makes Seton Hall possible for qualifying students in any income bracket.
At the end of the day, Seton Hall graduates gain the skillsets, work ethic, connections and credentials needed to make a positive difference while thriving career-wise. For driven students who embody Pirate pride, Seton Hall is undoubtedly an excellent choice.