Enrollment: 15782
Average SAT: 563
Average ACT: 25
Most Popular Majors: Accounting,Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric,Psychology, General,
Regular Application Deadline: 02/01
Student Faculty Ratio: 16:1

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $14,229.00

Great College Towns
2010 Top Entrepreneurial Programs: Undergraduate

Students Say - Academics
The mission at this "very city-school structured" university located in Chicago is about Vincentian values in an urban setting. Whether encouraging its students to help those less fortunate (there's a strong "commitment to social justice and community service") or cheering on its always-solid basketball team, DePaul University is "about diversity and real-world experience" instead of books and tests. This message is even further carried out by the leanings of the teachers, the majority of whom "are not strictly academics-they have a great deal of applicable experience." Though students report a few bad apples in the teaching lot, most students enjoy their classes (many account for student discussion as part of the grade) and teachers on the whole and say it "is easy to get in touch with professors outside of the classroom." "Professors not only have open-door policies but do everything but make candy trails into their offices," says a student.

There are multiple colleges within the university, so there are plenty of opportunities for student leadership for studies within your field, but students do cite red tape issues when trying to maneuver between colleges. The administration here is "sometimes annoying," and it is "very slow to solve problems and not empathetic when registration errors are made." Still, "the study spectrum is huge," so "you'll find what you want to do here." "All of my classes are challenging and force me to work harder than I may want to, but they are never overbearing to the point where I give up," says a sophomore. Music education and the honors programs are some of the school's stronger programs.

Students Say - Campus Life
Just like the school itself, the students embrace Chicago for all it's worth and actively try to both help and patronize the community. "There are so many plays, galleries, museums, restaurants, clubs, bars, and stores that life is always interesting," says a student, adding to a list that already includes "improv/comedy shows, Broadway in Chicago, Jerry Springer, the beach, and Wrigley & Lakeside." Life at DePaul can differ depending on what campus you use-The Loop or Lincoln Park. The LPC provides "a more classical college environment and sense of community," while The Loop gives more of "a city-school feel." DePaul itself hosts many events for students, and though students are pleased overall with the variety of extracurriculars offered, they say that "more advertising for clubs, sports, organizations, etc., would be helpful," especially for the commuters. The food on campus may be "atrocious," but the nightlife is "great" at DePaul; many students go out to the bars in Lincoln Park, but are careful to avoid the school's feared "three-strike rule." There are also many students who choose" to just hang out and watch movies, go for dinner, and don't drink." "There is always something happening in this city," says a student. Depaul also offers a good chance to get a job on campus, which not only allows students to make money, but "you can often find something that relates to your major and would look good on your resume."

Students Say - Student Body
Students here "know how to balance a social life with their academic life," which is generally a difficult thing to do in a big city. Beyond that commonality, students really span the spectrum of personal and ethnic diversity. "There are your frat boys who live to party and your book worms who never leave the dorm," but everyone eventually settles into their own and "seems to be able to find at least one other person they can start a conversation with." The school is "definitely very open-minded and liberal, despite being religiously-affiliated." Many students live off campus; a fair number are from the suburbs, so a lot of them go home each weekend. There is a large LBGT population at DePaul, which is very well accepted, and people are "very aware of domestic and foreign affairs."

Loyola University of Chicago
Northern Illinois University

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