<p>D Just added UDel to schools she wants to visit over spring break. We only know what we've seen on here and their site. Whats the area like? Safety on and off campus? Overall type of student? Right now this is pretty high on her list. We are OOS and no one from her hs has ever even thought about Del. She is in a small town / rural area of the south. Not sure she would fit in. Thanks for your insight</p>
<p>Newark is a small college town, with one street (Main St.) that has all the typical college eateries, bookstores, etc. The campus itself is lovely, mainly Georgian brick buildings, and beautifully maintained. The school is not very diverse - most students are white and from the surrounding states - but they are very friendly and enthusiastic; it’s one of the happiest campuses I’ve seen.</p>
<p>There is some crime in Newark, and students have been robbed (see the student newspaper for examples: [The</a> Review](<a href=“http://www.udreview.com/]The”>http://www.udreview.com/)). I suppose it depends on your perspective, but I’ve always lived in or near cities and consider coping with this something you have to learn (and that we’ve taught our kids): don’t be out by yourself late at night, stay away from sketchy areas, etc. So far S (who is a freshman) feels safe there, and absolutely loves the place.</p>
<p>Thanks Booklady, she is very petite and very naive, thus some of my concerns. She wants her college years to allow her to branch out and we are all for that but fully aware that what sounds good now can be very different when living it. Are your sons classes very large? She is interested in engineering.</p>
<p>I have a very petitite daughter who is from NYC. She is pretty high on the picky, snobby scale. She applied to UD because it is THE school in her major and was accepted sight unseen. We went on a visit and, frankly, I wasn’t all that optimistic because she can be a pain in the butt (you wanted honesty, right?). We drove down for the first time on a beautiful spring day and once we hit Main Street and saw all the restaurant options, the shops, and the beautiful, happy looking students, she was sold before we even set foot on campus. Most of her classes are on the Old College section of campus (breathtaking!) as is her campus job, so she spends much time in Panera Bread because that end of campus is right on Main Street. The campus is beyond gorgeous and is very well maintained, the facilities are all that one could ask for. She decided that day to make a deposit and has never looked back. Newark is a small town, so the students can walk around and get what they need. My D loves that because she has the feeling that she’s totally independent even though she doesn’t have a car. You could look at the online catalog to see how large the classes are (go to udel.edu, put catalog into the search box on the top right corner, and then when you open the catalog, choose the course catalog option and you can look at how many kids are in each class). She is in honors and many of her friends are engineering majors and they seem very happy, if overworked! The school safety people and local police give you a very scary presentation about the dangers that could befall a young person at college (I guess there could be drinking and drugs everywhere), but I think the safety procedures are good ones and the campus is always well-lit and populated. If our kids carry their brains and common sense with them on their way, they should be fine. One of the girls on her floor is from a very small, rural town and she is loving her experience at UD. There’s a lot of diversity and a lot of support. She and we couldn’t possibly be happier. When we went for that accepted students day, we sat in the auditorium watching the “Are you UD?” video and I started to cry because I just knew this was the place for her. I wish you all the best in your family’s search.</p>
<p>booklady and zoosermom, can I ask you to comment on the dorms? We toured the campus this past summer in the pouring rain, and let me just add that even with the dismal weather conditions, the students were out in the parking lot greeting the visitors with smiles. They seemed genuinely happy, and it gave us such a welcoming feeling. The entire campus is impressive and it’s difficult to find fault, even in the rain. But I do remember thinking that the freshman dorms were disappointing. We toured Thompson and Russell, which seemed very very small and dark, and no air conditioning. Can you give an insiders perspective of the dorms and the campus food as well? Thanks.</p>
<p>My D lives in Russell. She absolutely loves it. the architecture isn’t as pretty as some of the other places (her life’s mission is to live on the green next year), but the dorm is in excellent condition and does get alot of light from the large window in her room. It’s a pretty standard double room, but the entire dorm is maintained very, very well. There’s a housing tour (parents are invited) for returning students next week and we’ve been looking at options for next year and there are just so many choices. I’m not sure if it’s just that we toured different schools, but I remember thinking that the UD dorms were very nice compared to some other schools my D toured. Russell isn’t lavish, but it’s clean, well-lit and they have a large lounge as well as a large quiet lounge. The kids do play beach volleyball outside the dorm and it’s close to dining halls and the student center. My D genuinely loves being in Russell for the sense of community. She’s also been very happy with the food because, again, there are so many options. My D is one of those people who is easily bored, so she likes having an easily accessible dining hall and student center, but being able to go to other dining halls or get a takeout meal if she’s busy, and then there’s always Main Street. If your student likes a lot of choices, it’s a great place. The only thing I would do differently is get more points and less meals in the dining plan because my D’s classes are almost all next to the Trabant Student Center so that’s where she eats and they use points there rather than meals.</p>
<p>I’d just like to add one thing. My D is something of a spoiled brat, but she absolutely loves the feeling of being an independent adult that she gets at UD. It’s like she is grownup living in a small town. She will call me up and say things like “Mom, I’m in a rush, I have to go grocery shopping.” which means that she has to go to the convenience store and get bread for her peanut butter. She has a job which, along with the meal plan, gives the illusion of financial independence, and she’s in a safe environment where she can’t really mess up. We wouldn’t change a thing, but it is a big school. My best suggestion to anyone seriously considering UD is to visit and to sit and go through the catalog. You can learn a lot from the catalog about all sorts of things.</p>
<p>Thanks for the great info. If I remember correctly, Russell houses the honors students? My daughter chose not to apply to the honors program (we are just hoping for acceptance at this point 
) Does your daughter have any friends in Thompson and if so, what is their experience? I think they said that housing is guaranteed all 4 years, so that’s a plus. I do remember there being many different cafeteria choices. My daughter is pretty independent, having spent the past 4 summers at ballet intensive programs, living in dorms, getting herself to classes, cooking, doing wash, etc. Some colleges we visited have “suite style” rooms that have kitchens, which she would love. I don’t remember that being the case with the freshman dorms at UDel, perhaps uperclassmen have that option. Should she be accepted (fingers crossed) we will definitely revisit the campus since the weather really dampened(literally) our tour last summer.</p>
<p>It’s funny that you mention Panera Bread because that’s where my daughter works now here in NJ, I’ll tell her she would feel right at home if she ends up at UDel!</p>
<p>I’m not sure if there are any suites for freshman. I think no, but don’t consider that gospel. Housing is guaranteed all four years but a lot of kids move off campus. We have made the decision as a family not to allow our D to ever move off campus. I don’t want to deal with leases and landlords. My D knows people in all the freshman complexes and doesn’t know a single person who isn’t happy. The maintenance is taken pretty seriously on the whole campus, apparently. Your D sounds like a great fit and I’ll definitely cross my fingers!</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great information, esp about the online catalog. It does look beautiful, even with all that snow. Just wondering is not having ac an issue? Are any of the dorms suite style or air conditioned?</p>
<p>A lot of the upper class dorms are air conditioned. I think most is probably an accurate answer. My D didn’t notice the lack of ac because she has a huge window with a tree outside of it. Most of the campus has trees, so there are definitely breezes. They are also allowed to have fans, and we bought our D a tower fan and she didn’t feel overheated at all. But she would probably feel too cold in an air conditioned room, rather than too hot in an un-air conditioned room. THe only complaint she has is that her dorm is very far from her classes, but tough luck for her. She can walk or take the bus.</p>
<p>S lives on Laird Campus, which is a bit far from the classroom buildings, but the dorms there are brand new and air conditioned: [Independence</a> Complex](<a href=“http://www.udel.edu/has/independence.html]Independence”>http://www.udel.edu/has/independence.html). He lives in a big double, which shares a large bathroom with the double next door. There’s an excellent bus system, so the distance is not a problem (and it’s only about a 10-15 minute walk to class in any case). He and his friends love it there so much that they’re planning on living on that part of campus next year. One of the options there for upperclassmen is Christiana Towers, which are apartment-style dorms with kitchens. S thinks the food in the dining halls is ok, if boring, but as zoosermom says there are lots of options around.</p>
<p>One of the things I love about UD is that even though it’s a big school, it feels much smaller. S had two large lecture courses and two small classes his first semester, and even in the lecture courses he got to know the profs. My D went to a private university, and I wondered how different their experiences on that score would be, but so far he feels like he’s getting lots of attention as far as advising, accessibility to professors, etc.</p>
<p>
Same situation here. I also noticed because I’m compulsive and combed through the available courses very carefully, that often when there are large classes available in a particular course, there are ALSO smaller sections available of the same course in the same semester so the student can choose. My D’s advisor has been helping her this week with advice on a summer internship and on making a last minute change to her schedule for this coming semester.</p>
<p>Zooserman: At the university I attended, the largest lecture classes were taught by the most popular professors. You may have had the option of a smaller class, but most people choose the popular profs.</p>
<p>Hi. Another UD parent here of a freshman (we met zoosermom at accepted students day last April), who is very happy as a Blue Hen!</p>
<p>My D lives over in Rodney on west campus (part of the huge freshman Rodney-Dickenson Complex). I don’t know anything about Dickenson but I can tell you about Rodney. D wasn’t too thrilled to get a single but it turns out that most of the rooms there are singles. It’s small but cozy. And she’s got AC! It was really great having her own room first semester while trying to figure out studying, etc. The dorm is close to Trabant and close to Main St. Close to many of her classes too. She is friends with nearly everyone on her floor - they are quite social as they are mostly in singles.</p>
<p>We had a great first impression of campus during our junior year visit and there was really no turning back. Beautiful campus, perfect distance from home (LI) and easily accessible. Very suburban area. (During her FYE - first year experience - they learned about the local bus system and she and her friends have taken the bus to the mall - only $1 to get there). It was also our impression that everyone is so happy and friendly there and D fits right in. It is a great fit for her that way and academically (she’s not in honors). She just picked her major and minor and is looking forward to sorority rush when they get back. Also applying for study abroad for next winter break (definitely need a plan for winter break as it is sooooo long). </p>
<p>I am glad to answer any questions you have or just put in my two cents.</p>
<p>So great to hear all your positive feedback. My D is waiting patiently for a decision from UDel. She knew from the minute she stepped foot on the campus that this was the place for her. Our first visit was on a rainy foggy day and she still fell in love with it. After several visits, interview and hours on the website she is convinced this is the fit she is looking for. I hope that the news in March is positive!!</p>
<p>So glad to hear that your kids are happy with the school and please keep the feedback coming. It is very helpful.</p>
<p>Hi guys!
As a fellow applicant I figured I’d offer my opinion after the campus tour. I visited once as a sophomore, but I really had no idea what I was looking for. I visited again the beginning of this year as a senior, and it made me love UD. All the shops and restaurants are so convenient, and Main Street really just has a cool, young, small town vibe. As for safety, I definitely never got the feeling that I would feel uncomfortable on campus, and if you stick with a friend at night you should be fine. The thing I LOVED about UD was all of its clubs and activities. Unlike a huge school like Penn State, I felt I could really find my place at UD by joining acapella groups, intramural sports, or really any other club you can think of. Its a great place, and very high on my list now (2nd choice to UVa which is a stretch OOS). I left so excited to go to college, and bummed when I returned to high school the next day :). Tell all your kids good luck! It’s a pain to wait!</p>
<p>My D was the same. We had visited so many colleges. When we were walking around UD, she turned to me and said, “Mom, do you think I can get in here?” That’s when I knew she loved the place. Plus, we had a great tour leader - he was an engineering major who played in the marching band (you’ve got to see UD’s marching band - awesome!) and they had just played in the inauguration parade. He was dynamic and very excited about the school. But D was sold even before the tour. She thought is was exactly what a college should look like.</p>
<p>As far as some larger classes, D had two intro classes last semester (around 100 students). On the last day of class, one of the profs came up to her to make sure she wrote down her name. Said she wanted to give her extra points in the class for always being there, always sitting in front and participating. Very smart reinforcement from the prof. Plus D loved getting the extra points on her average!</p>
<p>If you want to know about anything else, let us know!</p>
<p><a href=“definitely%20need%20a%20plan%20for%20winter%20break%20as%20it%20is%20sooooo%20long”>quote</a>.
[/quote]
Amen sister!!!
The break is too long and we didn’t plan appropriately for it. D is thinking of doing study abroad next winter and I told her straight out that she must have a plan for every winter break because this one was an exercise in misery. She really misses her friends and life on campus. I miss my peace and quiet.</p>
<p>Wow! This is great. If the students are anything like their parents this must be an amazing place. Sounds like there is a January term or something similiar? Do freshman usually go back for the J term or stay home? Most of the schools my kids looked at do not have this program so it is a new concept for us to consider. Thanks</p>