April 21, 2026<\/p>\n
On a picture-perfect spring day, more than 1,650 accepted students descended upon St. John’s University\u2019s 100+ acre campus in Queens<\/a>, NY, for its annual Accepted Student Day. This event that offered not only a glimpse of campus life, but also a hint at new ways the University is working to make a St. John\u2019s education more accessible and affordable.<\/p>\n In his welcome address to future students, Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P.<\/a>, University President,\u00a0introduced a bold new initiative: St. John\u2019s Ready, which ensures that all new first-time, first-year students who enroll this fall will receive their required course materials at no additional cost. \u201cWe know that one of the pieces of the puzzle that\u2019s very important to you is affordability\u2014can I afford to come to St. John\u2019s?\u201d he said. \u201cSt. John\u2019s Ready creates an equal starting line for all of our students, so that everybody on the first day of classes is going to have everything they need to be successful in their coursework.\u201d<\/p>\n He added, \u201cOur biggest commitment at St. John\u2019s is to your success, and we will do everything that we can while you are here to support you in that success.\u201d<\/p>\n The immersive experience was designed to help future Johnnies explore academic and service opportunities; tour the tree-lined grounds; and get a firsthand look at the University\u2019s state-of-the-art learning facilities as they consider their future on campus.<\/p>\n Saturday\u2019s event marked the second Accepted Student Day at St. John\u2019s for Greg and Teresa Toohig, whose daughter Kaitlyn plans to study government and politics<\/a>, and whose son is already enrolled in the pharmacy<\/a> program.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m thrilled Katilyn was accepted here,\u201d Mr. Toohig said. \u201cIt\u2019s such a beautiful campus to walk around. We have the luxury of having a child who is several years into his program. He\u2019s actually studying abroad right now, and is loving every minute of it. We\u2019re confident Kaitlyn will be happy here, too.\u201d<\/p>\n While some students took a short drive or subway ride to campus, Violet Tunstall flew more than 2,700 miles from her home in Yakima, WA, to explore St. John\u2019s campus for the first time. \u201cI really want to study on the East Coast and one day work in either a nonprofit or help to shape meaningful policy decisions,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve always been passionate about social justice<\/a>, and St. John\u2019s offers such a wide range of programs that really align with that.\u201d<\/p>\n Throughout the day, visitors toured the campus. They interacted with current Johnnies, faculty<\/a>, administrators, and staff, participating in\u00a0 fun activities and engaging information sessions that helped them\u00a0learn more about the St. John\u2019s experience.<\/p>\n While high school friends Sarim Naveed and Donovan Sabatella, both of Farmingdale, NY, came to Accepted Student Day to explore what will likely be their homes away from home this fall, the pair are already factoring life after college into their decisions.<\/p>\n \u201cSt. John\u2019s is so well-represented by its alumni<\/a>,\u201d said Donovan, who will study actuarial science<\/a>. \u201cEveryone I talk to who went here keeps telling me, \u2018You have to commit! You\u2019re going to love it!\u2019 That potential for networking is one of the main reasons I deposited.\u201d<\/p>\n His friend, Sarim, echoed that long-game mindset. \u201cThe outcomes I can get from St. John\u2019s are exponential\u2014that\u2019s why I\u2019m going to do the combined Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Juris Doctor (J.D.) program<\/a>,\u201d he explained. \u201cI can definitely see myself preparing for the future by living here and meeting people. There\u2019s so much opportunity here.\u201d<\/p>\n Simon G. M\u00f8ller, Ph.D.<\/a>, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, University Distinguished Professor, and Provost Endowed Chair, said Accepted Student Day remains one of his favorite events at St. John\u2019s. \u201cDuring their visit, students experience our excellent academic programs and faculty, cutting-edge learning environments, and a vibrant student life. Students will firsthand picture themselves on campus, in classrooms, and in one of the many specialized learning spaces, and will be encouraged to become leaders in their field of study, in their community, and in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n By day\u2019s end, that sense of possibility and momentum was felt across campus. \u201cAccepted Student Day is one of my favorite days of the year\u2014when our campus comes alive with the energy, excitement, and promise of the next class ready to make their mark,\u201d explained Samantha R. Wright<\/a>, Chief Enrollment Officer.\u00a0\u201cThere\u2019s something special about seeing students experience campus for the first time as future members of the St. John\u2019s community.\u201d<\/p>\n