Decisions

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Denver
21

<p>I was a philosophy and econ dual major as an undergrad, and I have a graduate finance degree as well. I minored in political science and religious studies as well.</p>

<p>This message is going to be kind of scattered, sorry for bouncing around:</p>

<p>Strong departments:</p>

<p>-Biology and Chemistry
-Poli Sci
-Psych and Communications (those are far and away the easiest undergraduate majors to pursue, but that’s true of most schools–these majors are heavily made up of students who are just looking for the easiest path to a degree. That said, comparatively speaking, I still think they’re decent programs)
-English
-Business
-International Studies (helped by a strong grad program in this area, which is unique for a school of DU’s size)</p>

<p>Weak departments:</p>

<p>-Engineering and Comp Sci, they’re atrocious. Terrible facilities and weak faculty.
-Economics. When I was there, they couldn’t keep a prof to save their life. I think they were actually down to 2 tenure track faculty at one point and the rest they staffed with contract adjuncts. It was pretty sad.
-Anthropology. It was literally 100% historical materialist/Marxist when I was there. I doubt it has changed. That’s where most of the nuts were. Other social science departments weren’t so extreme.</p>

<p>Some general pros about DU:</p>

<p>-Beautiful campus/mostly great facilities (with a few exceptions like engg/comp sci). About 75% of it has been rebuilt in the past 15 years. If you haven’t visited, and you didn’t see what it was like before the building boom, then it’s hard to impress upon somebody just how impressive the physical change has been. You’re looking at a new life sciences building, two new dorms, renovation of at least one of the older dorms, new athletics complex and arena, renovations to the social science/humanities complex, new business school, new performing arts school, new law school, new buildings for social work and the college of education, a renovation and new annex for international studies, a shift to D-1 athletics, etc.</p>

<p>-High quality of life and a great neighborhood. The area around DU is one of my favorite spots in all of Denver. You’re not downtown, but you’re close. It’s very safe, there are lots of great off campus rentals (both houses and apts)</p>

<p>-Colorado’s recreational opportunities. Easy access to the mountains, which are the ultimate playground for college age people. Skiing, snowboarding, backpacking, hiking, etc–if you’re interested in outdoorsy stuff, this is about as good as it gets. </p>

<p>Some general negatives:</p>

<p>-The cynical reputation that DU has, of which there is a lot of truth to, is that it’s a place where children from affluent families who aren’t smart enough to get into an east coast liberal arts school wind up. There’s a fair amount of money and a fair amount of shallowness. DU kids are known to be a bit apathetic and very materially driven.</p>

<p>-Overall faculty quality. DU has spent a ton of money on infrastructure over the past 15 years. It hasn’t spent that much attracting top faculty. Fundamental academic quality still lags, in my opinion. I think they’re shifting their focus to this area. </p>

<p>-Generally, DU’s not as academically elite as it thinks it is, or wants you to think it is. It’s on the rise, and in 20 years this might be the crown jewel of higher ed in Colorado. I think they want an analogy like this, DU is to Colorado as Vanderbilt is to Tennessee. But it’s just not right now, it’s got a long way to go. I’d say it’s about even with CU. CC is the best academic institution for undergrads in Colorado (factoring out AFA and Mines, which serve niche markets). DU chose to grow in size rather than become more academically competitive (used to be around 3,200 undergrads, now I think it’s close to 5,000). But they haven’t been able to improve academic competitiveness that much, because of the size increase. We’ll see if they’re able to do that in the next decade. </p>

<p>-A little too much emphasis on business at the undergrad level. DU’s a weird school in a lot of ways. It’s roots are as a liberal arts school, but it has morphed in to something else. It doesn’t have all the various offerings of a flagship public institution, but at ~5,000 undergrads and 10,000 total students, it’s bigger than the liberal arts mold–and it has 35% of its undergrads studying business, and that influences the campus culture. It’s basically a liberal arts college on sterroids with a huge business school slapped on to the side. Conversely, some of the traditional lib arts departments are beyond tiny. I think I was one of 3 philosophy majors in my graduating class.</p>

22

<p>to imanicollegehelp:</p>

<p>I’m a little uncertain about your meaning, but DU is NOT an urban campus. CU-Denver/Metro is an urban campus. DU is fully encompassed by single family housing on all four sides (with a few apartment complexes scattered around). It is as residential in feel as Boulder is. </p>

<p>Unless your son is pursuing a program that only CU offers, I think the differentiatiors between CU and DU are A) Cost, and B) Whether that student would be happier in a smaller university or a larger university. And if you’re an out of stater or the student excels academically, make sure to evaluate cost on a post-FA basis. There’s a good chance that after aid, DU will be cheaper than CU out of state.</p>

23

<p>To KeeterMom:</p>

<p>Interesting list. </p>

<p>Your daughter should know that Baylor is quite conservative compared to most college campuses. I’m not calling that a fault, I am fond of Baylor as an institution. It’s just something worth pointing out. The campus culture at Baylor is going to be a lot different than DU, Emerson, and Drexel–I don’t know much about Montana or USD. Baylor’s building a great brand right now though and their endowment growth is impressive. They’re a school on the rise.</p>

24

<p>Chris-Thanks for the feedback. I think DU seems more a “syracuse than vanderbilt” But, I haven’t seen any of my son’s Colorado Schools up close (I’m apps…husband…tours) They did see Colo State and Boulder (and I think the gist was Ft Collins was nicer…but Boulder-still beautiful, has a better academic reputation.) I know his NJ school has several kids applying to Boulder, but he’s the only CSU applicant in 2 years. I had him throw Denver into the mix because a family friend went there decades ago. But you’re insight is most welcome. So, you’re saying it’s kind of sleepy/residential without the strong college town vibe? If you visit a lot of the big tri-state Naviance sites (You can creep as a guest) there aren’t many apps to Denever. My buddy says when he graduated in like '81, it was all east coast kids. I think as the economy wanes, The state schools are getting more competitive all over the country. Last year, Syracuse, (an expensive private with a big school vibe) accepted 9% more kids…even with the number of apps up! Son wasn’t ever interested in Denver, so no Hyde Interview…I’m not surprised the decisions are out earlier than expected. The combination of private school tuition, with a strong “push” for a personal interview…and traditionally later decisions??? It’s gonna be a tough road to hoe for DU!</p>

25

<p>imanicollegehelp:</p>

<p>I agree with a lot of what your saying. I don’t think DU’s a Vanderbilt, if that’s how it came across I didn’t phrase it well. I think DU aspires to be a Vanderbilt, but they think they’re closer to that echelon than they really are. The Syracuse analogy is somewhat fitting, but that’s a bigger institution than DU ever aspires to be. Vandy is more their size.</p>

<p>I also agree that value is going to play a greater role in college selection process than it has in years past. But the economic factors are a double edged sword. Schools with high tuition are going to have to face less price elasticity. At the same time, private institutions are used to having to “fend for themselves” financially, whereas public schools are not. Public institutions are used to a free lunch from their state governments, and with the state budget crises and the resultant cuts to higher ed, public schools are really feeling the hurt. They are trying to adapt and behave more like private schools with a huge emphasis placed on fundraising and endowment building. But there’s a learning curve associated with that model. Private schools are more adaptable and nimble. I think DU has better long term prospects than CU.</p>

<p>Regarding Fort Collins versus Boulder, they’re a study in contrasts. Boulder’s the more scenic locale in my opinion since it’s right up against the flatirons, whereas FC is pushed back a bit from the front range. But they’re both beautiful spots. FC is bigger, a little less hip, a lot more down to earth, much less liberal. They both have nice downtowns. FC is MUCH cheaper than Boulder. I lived in Boulder for a year and my wife lived in FC for four. If I had to pick between the two, I’d go with FC, but I do understand the appeal of living in Boulder. </p>

<p>As far as DU’s location, it’s right smack in the middle of south Denver, so it doesn’t feel like a college town in the way Boulder and Collins do, because those towns are completely anchored by their respective universities. DU doesn’t own Denver the way CU owns Boulder. But there is definitely a distinct DU neighborhood within Denver. I wouldn’t quite call it sleepy but it’s nothing like the Hill or Pearl St in Boulder when school is in session. The surrounding neighborhood is centered on the commercial strip that runs along University Blvd from Asbury to Evans, and along Evans Ave from High Street to Downing Street. There are definitely your traditional DU hangouts–University Park Cafe, The Border (our dive bar), Campus Lounge (our #2 dive bar), Jerusalem’s (24 hr middle eastern food), Spanky’s (burgers), and several others that have turned over since I was living around there. </p>

<p>There are also some great hidden neighborhoods around DU that are convenient from campus: south pearl st (particularly Stella’s, one of the last great independent coffee shops in Denver–and Sushi Den, and Hansen’s a great neighborhood bar), and south gaylord st (which has about six nice restaurants on a one block strip of commerce).</p>

26

<p>And to your other point, yes, CSU lags academically to DU and CU. </p>

<p>Here’s the academic pecking order of colleges in Colorado, as I see it. And again, this factors out AFA and Mines, because they’re niche markets (although they’re also the two most academically competitive schools in the state if you just go by acceptance rate, and they belong at the top)</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Colorado College - Very small, elite liberal arts college, hard to get into, block plan, great rep, not for everybody.</p></li>
<li><p>DU and CU - definitely above average, Princeton Review Top 300 caliber.</p></li>
<li><p>CSU - average state school</p></li>
<li><p>UCCS, CU-Denver, UNC, Regis - okay, less well known, particularly out of state</p></li>
<li><p>CSU-Pueblo, Metro State, Adams State, Mesa State, Western State, Fort Lewis, Colorado Christian - more or less open institutions</p></li>
</ol>

27

<p>I must admit, after plenty of bLowhards on CC; I appreciate your insight. We are very far away geographically and even with an annual trip to Vail…we are clueless. In general, in our NJ school they only leave the east coast for a handful of schools. Colorado College gets mad props and respect…but it’s not “everyone’s LAC” . Our’s is a large Public NJ school with 7-9 kids applying to UCB (only behind Michigan, Wisconsin and maybe Kenyon with # of apps). My son was the only one applying to Colorado State for the last 3 years. Maybe 4 apps to Denver in 5 years. When my buddy went there in the 80’s, he said it was all east coast kids. I’m thinkin Boulder’s stealin their thunder. It’s funny, my husband and son found Ft Collins more Scenic (geographic landscape) but Boulder a bit more sophisticated? Fort Collins is like the best city to live in America??? My other kid goes to NYU so, as far as tuition goes (no Financial Aid) Colo state, Univ Colorado and University Vermont are ALL bargains!!! Even with spending $$$$! MY only prejudices (if you dig deep, you all have them) are geographic… deep south, southern California (my sister lives there, so I’m warming) and I love the Colorado thing. It’s all good. Kids bloom where their planted…I wish mine was lookin to take root closer to home…Meh</p>

28

<p>KeeterMom: Sorry I took so long to respond! Yes, I did get accept to USD too. I’ll let you know if I have any questions. Thanks!</p>

29

<p>Some of Chris’ analysis was right on, some not so much (anymore). Because of DU’s rising profile and popularity, it’s attracting better students than it did a decade ago. My son has a triple major in political science , public policy , and philosophy, ( because he took an absurd number of APs in high school, and did well in them–he could have gone to a “higher ranked” school, but he loved the vibe at DU) and feels that the public policy and political science offerings are top notch–he hasn’t said too much about philosophy, but he would complain if it did not meet his standards and expectation. He is a senior applying to grad school and feels that he is getting the utmost support from his professors, who know him well.</p>

<p>DU is not Vanderbilt or Princeton, and it doesn’t try to be. I think the vibe is more for the feet-on-the-ground more pragmatic student–bright and ambitious but looking for a good outcome after graduation . It has amazing opportunities for its students in Denver and fairly much anywhere west of the Mississippi–it doesn’t have the competition from a zillion schools all competing in the same job markets, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. It also has very good outcomes in Chicago–very strong alumni network there.</p>

<p>DU is not necessarily the right school for an always straight A student who aspires for the Ivy league but it does not try to be that. It’s a strong school for the A- to B+ student who wants a school with a real campus but in a great city–with the best of both city life and traditional campus life. I would compare it to American in DC more than Vanderbilt.</p>

30

<p>This is the middle range for stats:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I think the main time there’s an exception is when it is a student with heavy leadership. this is one of those schools where EC’s actually really count a lot, imho.</p>

<p>Whatever the school was a decade ago isn’t really what it is now, though I wouldn’t compare it to Vanderbilt, and I really don’t know much of anything about American. Because it’s in the mountains and the city, it is kind of its own thing.</p>

31

<p>ACCEPTED))))
1610 SAT
650 CHEM
630 MATH1
590 MATH2
96 TOEFL
VERYYYYY WELL ROUNDED many many sports on international level, champion in many kind of sports.
GOT a SCHOLARSHIP, althouth have not applied for it…is it good?</p>

32

<p>I got accepted to DU but I haven’t visited yet. I’m going this weekend to their admitted students event. Right now I’m torn between University of San Diego, Chapman and DU. I hope this visit helps me figure out which is the right fit.</p>

33

<p>^^ Both of you above applied RD?</p>

34

<p>No, I applied EA for all three.</p>

35

<p>Has anyone heard from Regular Decision yet??</p>

36

<p>I visited campus this week and was told RD letters would be sent in mid-March.</p>

37

<p>What did you think of the campus, students and professors? Did it make your decision easier? What other schools are you considering and comparing it to?</p>

38

<p>My daughter hasn’t been accepted yet. We both loved the school, though, and it has shot to the top of her list. She doesn’t really have a first choice, just lots of schools she is considering. She spent the night in the dorms with the daughter of a friend of my friend’s son, and enjoyed her stay. Didn’t really meet any professors, just did the info session and tour. It is a beautiful campus, doesn’t feel like its in the middle of a city. My friend, who is from the east coast but has lived in Denver for 15 years, describes it as a New England small liberal arts campus dropped in the middle of Denver, and that’s a good analogy. Very strong ski culture, so you really should like skiing if you go there. Nice facilities, lots of renovations, all in all a great visit. Other schools in the mix are CU-Boulder (which we also visited this week) and a bunch of east coast schools–Clark, Rutgers, and Binghamton primarily, all of which she has acceptances from already.</p>

39

<p>I have applied RD and I got my acceptance letter on the 21 st of february. Posted my statistics above.</p>

40

<p>How? the admissions office said that admissions decisions have not even been sent yet…</p>