<p>Is Depaul right for me? I hate to feel like I'm selling myself short. I keep telling myself it's a great school and I'll be able to be at the top and I will have to engage myself to get more out of the experience. I have a 32 ACT, 3.7 GPA, good ECs. I got a nice scholarship. I have been in the Chicago suburbs my whole life. Money is a bit tight for me, not a huge problem but I can't automatically go anywhere I want depending on if I have to pay full or close to full (still waiting to see if I get in my top schools).</p>
<p>Anyways, I know I am above most of the Depaul student body. I don't want to go to school and waste 4 years not challenging myself and growing. I have been accepted in the Accounting Honors Program (although I don't know how sure I am that I want to do accounting) and I plan to apply for the general Honors Program.</p>
<p>Would I be making a mistake by going to Depaul instead of Illinois or Wisconsin? Or Marquette University in Milwaukee? I am interested in business but that could change.</p>
<p>I enjoy Chicago, but I am also wary that I will miss out on the traditional college experience. I keep hearing Depaul's social life isn't that great. Is it still a commuter school? I need honest answers, not any biased opinions.</p>
<p>Would I be able to stand out at Depaul - and possibly get special attention that will help me with jobs, internships, learning - which I may not get if I go to a state school? Granted, I am implying the state school is better academically. But if I go to the state school I have the chance of competing against very bright students, and also being more of just a "number".</p>
<p>Basically, just unsure if Depaul is right for me. I have reasons to think it would be great, and also reasons to be apprehensive. Thoughts?</p>
<p>My niece really loved it and she was a residential student at first from Minnesota - so not local. Like you she had a very good merit scholarship. She graduated last year and is happily living in an apartment in Chicago - but working at a restaurant since her criminal justice degree didn’t lead to a job yet.</p>
<p>Thanks. Did she have high test scores/academic credentials if you don’t mind me asking? Did she like the social life or do you not know too much detailed information of her experience?</p>
<p>We are faced with the same dilemma! My son fell in love with Depaul when we visited last year. He wants to study computer programming and game design, and also has very good stats: 31 ACT, 3.9 GPA. We are choosing between U of Michigan (in state) and some very good smaller colleges (more expensive). He does not need the “traditional” campus experience.</p>
<p>I don’t have any experience attending Depaul, but I am applying as a transfer student. Based on college board 36% of students had a GPA of 3.75 and above while 20% had a GPA of 3.5-3.74. I know the average test scores are lower then what you got (22-27 ACT), but personally I look at test scores very lightly and personally feel that GPA is way more beneficial when judging peoples educational achievement. No matter what school you attend, there will be people to challenge you in every aspect, and with that comes some slackers. It’s really up to you to make the most of your college experience, because no matter where you end up, the school will give you the resources to succeed, it’s up to you to utilize them</p>
<p>Also I should add that going with your gut feeling when choosing a college is VERY important. Last year as an incoming freshman I didn’t do that at all. I currently hate the college I am attending, and cannot wait to get out of here. I wish I would have stuck with my gut instinct last year!</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. Any insight on how Depaul is socially? Is it still a commuter school overall? Do most freshman live on campus their first year? After that I know people get apartments. Are students generally socializing with each other and doing things? Or is Depaul a place where it’s more individual and solitary?</p>
<p>Also, any high caliber students have an opinion on their experience at Depaul? Are the opportunities better? Is it challenging enough?</p>
<p>In general - without focussing on a particular major, I think that in the abstract, a degree from University of Illinois or University of Michigan would be more impressive. With that said, DePaul has a very good reputation in some areas.</p>
<p>My D is a freshman there. She is bright - not quite 32 ACT, but bright. She is definitely challenged in class. She is in the College of Commerce and the idea of having internships in the city was appealing to her.</p>
<p>The big draw for her was the urban environment. She wanted that and is enjoying it. She and he friends go to events on campus, but also get out in the city.</p>
<p>Her friends who are considering transferring are doing so because they miss football and want a more traditional campus.</p>
<p>Not to add any pressure, but spaces are limited in the Accounting Honors Program. By the time my D had decided to do it, it was full.</p>
<p>I have the same problem. I have been excepted into the general Honors Program where I plan on double majoring in International Relationships and Islamic Studies. I have applied to a lot of other schools in Washington D.C. and Virginia, but I haven’t heard back from them yet. I’m not sure if it would be better to be a “stand out” student at DePaul or an “average” student at another school. Any opinions about what to do will be helpful.</p>
<p>I can see where you guys are coming from. I’m currently a freshman at Penn State (in the business school) and I’m transferring next year to somewhere urban because I cant stand being in farmville.or having 650 person classes. I’ve gotten into Pitt, St. Johns, UMinn and Depaul. right now, depaul is my #1 because chicago is my favorite city of the 4. I had high SATs, high ACTs and 3.72UW, and i figure that in a city as financially powerful as chicago, there will be plentiful opportunities, especially if youre a standout in the honors finance or honors accounting program, as you said. the recent $30 million donation will also be put towards improving and sustaining the staff of the business school alone, which seems like an awesome plus. when it comes down to it, a school like depaul will not fast track you to making well over 6 figures because of their prestige, but nothing outside of an Ivy league really will. what depaul will do, however, provide you with the necessary resources and opportunities to succeed, you just need to have the wherewithal to capitalize on them</p>
<p>I work in admission. Given that you are a high ability student, I would certainly encourage you to consider applying for the Honors program. Applications are due Mar 1. I would suggest contacting Sarah Whittemore at <a href=“mailto:swhittem@depaul.edu”>swhittem@depaul.edu</a>. One of the big benefits of DePaul especially for students of your caliber is that opportunity to work on research projects with professors as an undergrad. Few schools will let undergrads participate in research projects before grad school. </p>
<p>I would suggest connecting with other incoming freshmen through the Class of 2016 page to get a feel of who your classmates would be. </p>
<p>DD graduates from Depaul this spring with her degree in Accounting and a job. As a HS senior, she had comparable stats to Calison and lilBendtner. In some of her DePaul classes she was definitely a stand out, but don’t kid yourselves - there are plenty of smart, hard-working students at DePaul. Classes are not a cakewalk by any means, and sometimes the work load can be intense, especially around mid-terms.</p>
<p>D loved her time at DePaul and forged some great relationships with teachers AND students. She, too, really wanted the urban experience and had no desire whatsoever to attend football games. She also wanted a school that afforded great internship possibilities and a strong alumni network, which she definitely found at DePaul.</p>
<p>Hi, Missy - Sorry for the delay in posting! She got her first real accounting internship after her junior year, which appears to be typical for most of her classmates (although some of her friends had internships after sophomore year or during the school year). All of the interviewing was scheduled through intern/job fairs at DePaul, which starts in early September of junior year. By November of her junior year she knew where she’d be working the following summer.</p>
<p>Well, based on D’s experiences, most of the Big 4 accounting firms and Chicago-area accounting places do their internship hiring during that quarter - but I am only basing this off my daughter’s experience. YMMV. If I were your daughter, I’d have her contact the career office and ask.</p>
<p>The way I view it I’m going to go to the least expensive of the schools I applied to for undergrad, work my but off to stand out, then splurge on graduate school. I have similar stats to you and I think financially that’s the more sensible way to do it. However if you’re not worried about paying for college or going to grad school then this doesn’t really apply to you</p>