What do people know about DePaul University’s program? Is it good? What type of environment is it?
Hi! I’m a freshman at DePaul! (Theatre Arts Directing, however - not acting.)
DePaul has a nationally ranked program. Most lists place it in the top 20 in the country - if you care about lists and rankings and all that jargon. The Theatre School is just… honestly, it’s amazing. We have a brand new $70 million dollar building, and we also own the historic (and beautiful) Merle Reskin Theatre in downtown Chicago.
We’re a conservatory housed within a university, so most of our classes are in The Theatre School. We’re also on the quarter system, which can be an adjustment to make, if you’re coming straight from high school. I’m in five classes now, and only one is a non theatre class.
DePaul feels very entrepreneurial to me. Lots of students create their own opportunities. The Theatre Arts program really allows for this (lots of Theatre Arts kids double major or pick up a minor - I know one girl - a dramaturg - who’s triple minoring AND graduating a year early.), but that’s possible for actors, too, if they make it a priority. The Theatre School faculty encourages us to personalize our education and take on extra classes. We pay a flat rate, so, as long as you can handle the workload, there’s no penalty for going over credit hours.
I’m not sure what you want to know about the school exactly, but I love it here, and I will happily be a resource for you if you have specific questions!
D is a freshman at DePaul (BFA Acting) and VERY happy thus far. The theatre webstite is very imformative and what we have found most encouraging, thus far, is that everything DePaul has stated what they offer- is true. I say this in that this is my 4th child going to college and the 3rd in the “arts” college process. Sometimes programs make everything look glossy, pretty and perfect on the outside and then you (and student) discover when the veil is lifted, that most may not be true about the program. Honestly, so far, DePaul lays it out exactly what they are and what they have to offer. Which, so far,appears excellent. D was fortunate enough to receive a healthy scholarship (which they seem to offer in varying degrees to their theatre school students). Along with the spectacular new theatre building, D has been impressed with the faculty and classes thus far. Fun fact: DePaul looks after their own and last yearThe Theatre school alumni worked in more than 450 productions including 34 broadway shows and national tours and more than 100 films and 80 TV shows.
Like most university artistic programs ,this is a competitive program to get admitted… For all areas. I know that the BFA acting had over 1500 audtion and they only take 30 overall- about 15 girls and 15 boys (they do not “over” accept and have a wait list to fill the spots not taken). Major benefit is Chicago is a wonderful vibrant city and the school is in a great area. So far, so good!
I think the 1500 number is total applicants to The Theatre School - not just acting - but I could be wrong about that!
Still very, very competitive either way. Jason Beck (faculty member who’s heavily involved in admission) shared with us that the average acceptance rate for The Theatre School across all majors this year was 6.2%, and I would assume that Acting is the most competitive program, meaning that percentage is, presumably, lower.
Hi Hannah! Your posts are great BTW. I really appreciated your posts about when you were having the pull between CMU and DePaul. Someone asked this question for BFA acting while touring when D was making a decision of program and yes, over 1500 for acting. That is what is crazy! To think about how many people want to do this! It’s great, but wow… And yes, all programs are really competitive. But that really doesn’t matter in the long run anyways. What matters is if you are happy!
This is posted on their FAQ page. I wonder if they meant a different number than “100 applicants” for acting? Also, does anyone have any idea approximately how many they interview for each of the design/technical majors to result in 4-5 per program?
“The ratio varies from program to program. We have about 1700 applicants each year and we accept a total of 106 incoming students - 92 new BFAs and 14 new MFAs. Different programs have different ratios. For example, we have about 100 applicants each year to the BFA Acting program and accept 32. Most Design/Technical areas have capacities of about 4 or 5 per program. The Theatre Studies department (including dramaturgy/criticism, playwriting, theatre arts, and theatre management) has a combined total incoming class of 30. We accept 10 students into the MFA Acting program, and 2 students into each of the MFA Arts Leadership and MFA Directing programs.”
I think it’s a typo, they must mean 1000 for BFA Acting.
I can tell you there were 48 applicants in the info session of unifieds NYC afternoon session. two sessions a day
They had over 20 audition days - Yes… a typo!
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I was recently accepted to DePaul class of 2020 for BFA Acting, and was wondering if anyone could supply me with any insider information. Regarding the intensity of the training, courses, and generally the overall view of the city itself as well as The Theatre School. It would be of great benefit. Thanks in advance.
@Ahreonholly My daughter is currently a freshman BFA Costume Design major in the theater school. She LOOOVES it so much. Chicago is one of the top theater cities in the country and you can’t go wrong being there. She is always in the city exploring and experiencing new things. She feels that she is getting a top notch education, and exposure to so many things that she never thought possible. Because each class is so small (acting takes the most but most tech fields are only 4-5 students), there is a close knit feel within the school. Everyone works together by being involved in 3 productions per year beginning freshman year. The DePaul theater school is one of the top in the country. As it is a conservatory you are getting a very thorough education. Congrats on your acceptance. It is very difficult to be accepted! I hope that this helps. @HannahMTheatre here on CC would be a great resource. She’s in the theater school as well and can answer questions from a student’s perspective.
@vogelpitts, my D was just waitlisted for DePaul in Costume Design. We have all our fingers and toes crossed. Glad your daughter likes it so much!
@supergirlsmom keep me posted! If she gets in and decides to go I can put her in touch with my daughter! Fingers crossed! Where else did your daughter get in?
That would be great. The others are Mason Gross, Emerson, Purdue, and Slippery Rock. Waiting on three more.
My daughter got in to Emerson. It was in her top 3! Good choices!
My d got into DePaul with a scholarship & Emerson for their acting programs. Having trouble deciding which one to accept. Any suggestions?
I’d go with DePaul personally. Chicago is a much better theater town than Boston. If the goal is to work, you want to start developing relationships with theaters as soon as possible, and DePaul is extremely connected to the Chicago theater scene. Nothing against Emerson. Just a preference. Both really good schools. You’re lucky to have the choice.
My daughter got into both and ended up at DePaul. She doesn’t regret it for a second. I’m with @Jkellynh17 -go to DePaul! 
Hannah, thank you for all the information. My D is very interested in DePaul. Can anyone tell me if it’s a cut/redirect program? I know this has been asked before, but their website states :
“Every student receives quarterly evaluation and feedback from the faculty each year. Students’ evaluations are based on discipline, collaboration, professional potential and progress in the program. Based on this evaluation, students are continued from year to year at the invitation of the faculty.”
What does this mean in practice? How many students are not invited to return? Is this common in most Theatre/MT/Acting schools?
Thanks!!
DePaul is a terrific program, very well respected in Chicago and around the country, pretty consistent top 5-10 Acting program.
Curious about the callback #s for each session. Round numbers there were roughly 50 applicants in each session and I believe about 20 sessions.(i.e. roughly 1000 applicants total, I believe they keep 32) In our session there were a handful called back that day. How many were in your sessions got the same day callback if you do not mind sharing?
@Dadagogo I think there were 25 on my audition date and 4 of us were called back