The best thing about St. Joe's is how much of a community atmosphere has been built here. I transferred from George Washington University because I felt lost in the school, and coming to St. Joe's was the best decision I ever made. I think that the size of the school is just right. It's not large enough to get lost--people know your name and face and will smile and say hello-- but it's also not small enough that if you want to have a day where you don't see someone you know, you can't.
St. Joe's is highly lauded in the Philadelphia area, and the network of alumni is extremely large. I always run into someone who has either graduated or knows someone that has graduated from St. Joe's and that bond is instantly made when they find out I also attend the school. Outside of the Philadelphia area, St. Joe's is only known for it's basketball program.
On campus I spent most of my time in the Cafeteria (the "Caf") during free periods. Free period is something special to St. Joe's where on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 11-1 there are no classes scheduled and everyone gets a break to see their friends and spend some down time, or also catch up on work if procrastination has pushed it that close.
I was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, and Greek life at St. Joe's heavily relies on free periods to see each other. In the Crimson Cafeteria there are tables that are unofficially dedicated to each fraternity and sorority. The time spent at those tables eating lunch, laughing, and generally just relaxing was the best time I had during the day on campus. Even if I only stopped by for a few minutes to see my friends it was great to have a place to go to where there was always someone I knew.
St. Joe's students have an IMMENSE amount of pride in the school. It's very possible to get by without being involved in it, but it is an amazing feeling to be so connected to people through love of a place. The school motto, that "the hawk will never die," is true in the fact that going to St. Joe's gives people a special connection that they take with them out into their adult lives.
Most recently I had the honor to see St. Joe's basketball team go to the NCAA tournament in Alabama. Two bus loads full of students went through the 18 hour bus ride down to see our team play. They lost, but even so, I can't even describe the pride we all had and the excitement we had in our team. Cheering that day, and the sounds of all of my friends, and the heartbreak that we all felt when they lost is something that I will never forget.