On the Road Again!
University of San Francisco – Location, location, location! Full disclosure – I love San Francisco! There are such charming neighborhoods and iconic landmarks. Of course, like anywhere, it is not perfect, but the University of San Francisco is located in an area that is about as perfect as it gets. On a hill overlooking the city and the San Francisco Bay, this compact and beautiful campus is one to see. With four bus stops on campus, downtown San Francisco is a mere 20 minutes away. This lively Jesuit institution has a lot to offer. Here are some of the highlights:

• Academics – University of San Francisco offer a core curriculum rooted in the liberal arts with a pre-professional bent, especially in nursing, health studies, communications and business. Students take classes in six major areas including ethics and the visual or performing arts. Students participate in success courses that emphasize study skills, critical thinking and career exploration. The Asian studies program is also popular. Students can also take advantage of several three year accelerated bachelor degree programs.

• Social Justice – As part of the Jesuit mission, social justice permeates many of the academic and extracurricular offerings at the university. With a diverse student body, students are exposed to various cultures and ways of thinking, learning from each other. Students are determined to put their learning into action for the greater good. Internships and service learning are integral to life at the university. USF is the host of the annual Human Rights Watch Festival.

• Finances – Admission is need blind. Merit scholarships are generous, averaging about $14,000/year.

• Housing – About 20 percent of the students live on campus with housing guaranteed for all for first year students. After first year, students often live in the surrounding neighborhood or other areas of San Francisco.

• Social Life – USF students have plenty of opportunities outside of the classroom including all that San Francisco has to offer. The College Players is the oldest college theater group on the West coast. Sports are Division 1 and several of the teams are powerhouses, winning national titles.