St. John’s Welcomes a New Generation of Students at Move-In Weekend

For Immediate Release     
 Media Contact: James Stephen Smith
 Director of Media Relations
 718-990-5789 (o), 516-313-4568 (m)
 [email protected]

(QUEENS, NY, September 1, 2026) – First-year and returning students and their families gathered at St. John’s University August 29–30 for the University’s annual Move-In Weekend. New and returning resident students joined others from 34 US states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC, in moving into the Residence Village on the Queens, NY, campus.

This semester marks 27 years since St. John’s first opened residence halls in Queens, transforming the historically local, commuter campus to a 24/7 operation with national and global appeal.

“Move-In Weekend is the culmination of a year’s worth of work to recruit, orient, and prepare the St. John’s experience for the next generation of Johnnies,” said Jason T. Bartlett, Ph.D., Director, Office of Residence Life. “We are excited to host this event and bring together all our campus colleagues to welcome the class of 2030 to the Residence Village.”

First-year students and their families began lining up in their vehicles early on Saturday, August 29. The move-in process continued until about mid-afternoon. Once moved in, students and parents  enjoyed lunch at Montgoris Dining Hall. 

Representatives from a host of campus organizations, including Campus Activities, Campus Ministry, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and University Career Services, introduced students and their families to life at St. John’s. Music from the St. John’s Pep Band rang out and University mascot Johnny Thunderbird made the rounds, glad-handing students and families.

University clergy, including Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s, blessed more than 500 students and their residence hall apartments in the first of a series of special events planned for the first week on campus. A First Night Out Block Party in the Residence Village began after new-student move-in was complete on Saturday afternoon.  

The fall semester of the University’s 157th academic year begins on Wednesday, September 2.

See photos from Move-In Weekend: (mandatory credit: St. John’s University) https://photos.app.goo.gl/EwSN5QW1gJ6xS9Nw6 

Link to more details on Move-In Weekend: 
 https://www.stjohns.edu/news-media/news/2026-08-31/annual-move-weekend-welcomes-new-and-returning-students-st-johns

See video highlights from Move-In Weekend: 

• https://vimeo.com/1222360714/423d236eaf?fl=ml&fe=ec
• https://vimeo.com/1222360715/6385576704?fl=ml&fe=ec

St. John’s University’s Fall 2026 Incoming Class Student Profile 

• Total number of new, first-time, first-year students: 2,400-plus
• Number of first-year resident students: 1,000-plus
• High school average: 89
• Gender: 53% female, 47% male
• Number of states represented in the Fall 2026 incoming class: 34, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, DC
• Students ranked No. 1 in their graduating class at the time of admission: 15
• Students ranked No. 2 in their graduating class at the time of admission: 3

Top Majors of St. John’s University’s Fall 2026 Incoming Class

1. Undecided
2. Biology
3. Criminal Justice
4. Pharmacy (including six-year doctoral program in Pharmacy)
5. Psychology
6. Business
7. Liberal Studies
8. Finance
9. Nursing
10. Legal Studies

Top 10 High School Feeder Schools for Fall 2026 Incoming Class (Private and Public)

1. St. Francis Preparatory School
2. Archbishop Molloy High School
3. Kellenberg Memorial High School
4. Francis Lewis High School
5. Bayside High School
6. Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School
7. Forest Hills High School
8. Benjamin N. Cardozo High School
9. Xaverian High School
10. Holy Cross High School