DePaul University Top Questions

I think DePaul has a really strong academic system. My classes are challenging but are still fun and the teachers are extremely engaging. I love getting up everyday and going to class because I know I will enjoy it. Students are competitive but it's in a good way. We are all striving to do our best so I feel like students are striving to do their personal best rather than beating out other students. One class that I've really enjoyed is called The Evolution of Communication. We learned how we evolved as humans and even though technology is constantly changing, we as humans stay the same. I took that class as an elective for my major which is Public Relations and Advertising. I feel like my professors are always available outside of class and I am connected with many of my professors on LinkedIn. I feel like DePaul really strives to help their students get job after college by using real world and useful examples.

Across my time at DePaul I have had the opportunity to take some of the most unique and thought provoking courses. As a Public Relations and Advertising Major I have been enrolled in courses such as the Sociology of Rock Music, Disney and Consumer Culture, and the History of Human Sexuality....all which have enhanced my knowledge and inspired me to think more critically about the ways in which these seemingly unrelated things fit together, impact our world, and will shape the future of my desired career path. One of the most valuable things I have gained from my DePaul education is the chance to be taught by industry professionals. Reading a textbook and being quizzed on how to create a Public Relations campaign is one thing, but being taught by a professional who has been in the business for 20+ years and worked with fortune 500 companies, and having the opportunity to develop and present a campaign to an actual Chicago business is priceless.

Though we have over 25,000 students, DePaul is committed to keeping class sizes small (usually under 25) which allows for very individualized discussions and attention from professors. I've gotten to know many professors outside of class on a peer-to-peer basis, and it really encourages me to ask questions and go beyond simple homework assignments. I'm in the Honors Program, a more rigorous liberal studies curriculum that boasts even smaller class sizes (capped at 20) and is for students interested in delving more deeply into class materials. I have been appropriately challenged in many of my classes, but haven't often found it difficult to earn an 'A' and wouldn't have minded being more challenged in some classes, which I hope would've forced me to work harder to earn the grades I desire. That being said, my department and school foster connections with professors, the material and the real world and my experiential learning was second to none.

All classes have approximately 40 students or less at DePaul. My honors program classes are all capped at 20 students and my 100 level spanish class currently has only 7 students. Consequently every professor knows your name and class participation is a must! The honors program has offered me very unique and stimulating classes like "Religious World Views and Ethical Perspectives" and "Cognitive Science: the unconscious mind". DePaul is a liberal arts school so you get to take many classes outside of your major which I love.

Don't go here. The administrators will lie, cheat, and steal. This a private school that only cares about making money. Watch out for Susan Reed she is part of the exception commitee. Her goal is to get you to retake classes so the school can make more money. She will use unheard of rules to give you an F. Stay away. This school is run by rats and snakes. Eitherway, you will get bitten.

The professors do know you by name and there are only TAs in the Discover/Explore Chicago Freshman class. DePaul's professors are good for the most part. My major was Secondary Education: History. Class sizes are usually around 30, although I had 1 day of class where 2 classes had one class together making the class around 50 for one day.

Our academic life at DePaul is truly underrated compared to other universities surveyed by U.S. News and World Report, the Princeton Review, and other rating agencies. Virtually every class has less than fourty students, there are no classes taught by teaching assistants, and professors will try their hardest to develop a personal relationship with students. Students who complain that they are not being challenged enough or that courses lack rigor likely are not putting forth their best effort in the first place. My favorite class here at DePaul would have to be LSP 200 "Sophomore Seminar on Multiculturalism in the U.S." because every class session was like an open forum and we had some of the most intellectually-heated, critical debates about public policy issues than any other course I have taken. Because our class sizes are so small, students are more willing to actively engage in discussion than in a typical lecture hall format.

This is DePaul's one redeeming feature. Computer Science professors are great (their evaluation scores are all 8 thru 10 out of 10), and most of your classes will be at least somewhat beneficial in your career. Classes are small, so professors will know you well enough to recognize you in the hallways. Students are generally hardworking, and slacking off is looked down upon, both by professors and other students. If you major in Computer Science, there are no papers whatsoever, but other majors write sh*tloads of them. Even then, DePaul doesn't deliver the promise of $60,000 a year at your first job.

The experience you get at DePaul (academically speaking) is largely dictated by what college you're in or even what you're major is. The Theatre School and The School of Music are known to be great programs and the class sizes are often tiny (under 20 and in some cases under 10) and prof's know your name. The college of commerce (based on the Loop campus) is much bigger (classes typically around 40) and prof's won't always know your name unless you go out of your way to get to know them. For the most part DePaulians aren't major bookworms... they study, but not to excess and certain programs breed more competitive, serious students than others (the acting program has a cut system). The freshman required "Explore Chicago" and "Discover Chicago" courses are heavily based in excursions into the city and are a great way to get used to living in Chicago and college life. Though I haven't taken it yet (I just registered yesterday) I signed up for a course called, "The City at Night." The class meets from 10 PM to 1 AM weekly and from what I'm told will have trips to the CTA, Chicago Police Dept, a nightclub, etc. DePaul does a great job at making Chicago part of the learning experience.

Professors know your name, and they really do care. If you need to turn a paper in late, if you talk to a prof. before it's due, most of them have no problem with turning everything in later. They really are more flexible than people give them credit for. Most of the professors are super intelligent and they fill you with as much knowledge as you care to take. You have to study a lot more in college than in highschool, but if you stay on top of your shit, you do fine. In the art department, the professors really look out for you and inform you about everything that is going on. The education here at depaul is really the reason I came to this school and it has not let me down. You can learn so much here, it's crazy.

I know all my professors' names. A lot of classes I have some to find that the teachers do not care what their students' names are and just teach, grade papers/tests, and give out grades. These kinda of relationship don't really encourage students to talk to the teacher one-on-one outside of class or ask for help. I think a lot of student study a lot - like me - but then there are others of course who do not. I feel it's good for DePaul to have some of the general requirements to graduate so each student turns out to be well rounded - but some stuff I feel is really unnecessary like the ISP classes (discover, explore, seminal, focal point).

I love the smaller classes here. It's not a super intense curriculum and I find that this leaves time for students to pursue other interests. I feel as if I can learn anything I want and that I am also encouraged to do so, no matter what my future career may be.

Every professor i have had has known my name. Studying varies between students and classes but the library is a lot more popular closer to finals time. Students at depaul are very intellectual. They are informed on current events and it isn't uncommon to walk past a group having an in depth discussion in the student center. The advising office is horrible! If you do go to DePaul you have to be sure to keep track of your own classes and what you have taken and be very persistent with the classes you would like to take!

Most of my professors know my name as well as the names of all of my classmates. There are a select few professors who choose not to learn names, but they are rare. My favorite classes were my two introductory level English classes freshman year. My professor was so passionate about English and knowledgeable about English and knew so much about the world around us that she could respond to just about any topic brought up in class. My least favorite class was my Focal Point class, which required us to write a journal rather than any formal papers or other writing assignments and failed to test us on the 1100 pages of material we read throughout the quarter. I would say that most students do not study excessively and they do well in class. Most people are able to easily find a balance between academics and having a social life. Class participation is not only common, it is essential to most classes at DePaul. Students are encouraged to contribute their opinions to discussions and work together to learn new material. Participation is often included in each student's final grade. DePaul students do have intellectual conversations outside of class. This was one of the things that drew me to DePaul: the people I met at both tours and orientation. DePaul students are intelligent and unafraid to tackle world issues in everyday conversations. DePaul students are competitive, but not to the extent that fosters hostility. I would say that a majority of the students I know are focused on their academics and want to succeed in their given major as well as in all of their classes. I actually do spend time with professors outside of class. All of my professors have office hours and I have learned that utilizing this very valuable resource enables me to connect with my professors on a different level. It is also great to have someone there to answer questions or attend to problems you may encounter in learning new material. I really like DePaul's academic requirements. Within my specific major of Psychology, I am able to double major in English because the program provides enough electives to do so. I also enjoy the domain classes which students are required to take depending on their majors. I feel that the domain classes allow me to learn about so many different things outside of my major that will contribute to my growth not only as an educated individual, but also as a person. I believe that the education at DePaul is geared both towards getting a job and learning for its own sake. For the most part, the professors and the students at DePaul enjoy learning and gaining knowledge in many different fields. They also focus on long term goals such as graduate school and careers. There is a very realistic balance and an understanding that everything we learn will help us in the future in whatever adventures we embark upon.

Classes are small, so professors get to know you. My favorite class is my focal point seminar on Kennedy's Assassination. It was amazing!!! Class participation is common and intellectual/controversial/political conversations take place outside of campus all the time.

Professors know your name 'cause the classes are small, but this is abused - if you look around, it's a lot like high school... the kid with the iPod, kids throwing paper, guys flirting, people sleeping, and the general idiots fucking around. WRD 104 with Puccinelli is the Worst and most useless, retarded, bullshit class you'll Ever take... it can easily make you want to transfer, like me. Of course, if you're like the other idiots - it's easy as shit and you'll love it. Studying not required, participation is lacking (at best) or just retarded, There are no intellectual conversations (unless you count Tampons? as a valid intellectual subject), and the education overall is aimed at making you a socialist, homosexual-appreciating, idiot with the appreciation for an easy life based off of nothing.

All of my professors know my name! Most of my classes have about 40 students in them. My favorite class is my sociology class. I love it and my professor! She is younger so she can relate to us a lot more. We get to go out into Chicago where I feel I learn better than actually just sitting a writing papers all the time. My least favorite class is anything that has to do with math, im so bad at it! I typically study about 2.5 hours a day during finals week its a lot more. Class participation is common in some classes where others its is lecture. It depends on what kind of class it is, but all of my professors will ask you what you what to do , what kind of style you like and they try to compromise with you. Students are competetitive especially in the commerce school. I am a marketing minor, and the loop campus is right in the heart of downtown with all of the business right thier and it is competitive to get the best jobs to get better jobs. The education is definately geared towards getting a job.

Yes

Some professors know my name. My favorite class, none. My least favorite class, none. To me school is school. Students study too much. Class participation is common if the teacher grades you on it. Yes, students do have intellectual conversations outside of class. Yes competition helps the mind grow stronger. No unique classes, odd professors (yes). My major is marketing and it is decent fun. I do occasionally spend time outside of class with professors, mostly asking about life experience and recommendations. DePaul's academic requirements are a bit much in comparison to others, but that's how you become a competitive school. DePaul provides classes that do both the educational and life lessons.

Professors are a great resource not only for academic success but also for your future after your degree is completed. I've had professors send me job or internship opportunities they've heard about because they recognize my potential or interest for it. They say hi to you on the street, recognize you four years later, give you their home phone numbers, and love to have you stop by their office just to chat. I know people who have regular coffee or lunches with their professor-turned-mentor.