My sister is/has been going through the college application process. At one point she had big dreams about top schools, but she slipped a little and her test scores could have been higher so she isn’t thinking about those anymore. Whether or not they were ever a realistic possibility (being admitted wise) who knows.
She decided she wants to be in a big city. For one reason or another she decided to apply to DePaul. She got in and now she isn’t going to bother applying anywhere else. Not the home state university, nothing. (She did apply to another school that had an application deadline close to DePaul’s, but she isn’t applying anywhere else – like a safety – now that she’s been accepted.) She isn’t getting any scholarships or anything like that, so I’m worried about the large amount of debt she will most likely take on. If she went to a State U. it is almost 100% certain that our parents would be able to pick up the tab.
I’ve read several articles in newspapers about how now more than ever students are regretting taking on large amounts of debt. An article in the NY Times had a woman that had planned on going to grad school, but the financial burden from undergrad. forced her to put those plans off. Today I read an article on MSN that said how under no circumstances should someone pay for a mediocre private school (paraphrasing here). From what I’ve been able to find, it looks like DePaul fits that description. It’s rated in the third tier by US News. I know ratings don’t necessarily give an accurate representation, but it still worries this big brother.
She doesn’t know what she wants to study, so she isn’t going there for any specific program that they offer. What programs is DePaul even known for? What kind of opportunities are there while enrolled and after graduation? Is she underestimating how much of a pain it is to be in debt? Am I overestimating?
I didn’t visit DePaul’s campus with her so I would like to know if there are any alumni, current students, or Chicagoans on the boards that could tell me about the school. I’d like to know what your experiences have been, if it is in a safe neighborhood, what the education is like, etc.
Is there any advice I could give her? I don’t think she’s going about this the smartest way, and whenever I even make an attempt to bring up the subject she shuts it down. I’ve stopped with that, as it seems it only strengthens her resolve (which I do not want to do).
Sorry if this is kind of long for an OP, I’m just looking for some more info to ease my mind a bit.
I can tell you that the neighborhood is very very safe for city living. I rented there for about 18 months about a year ago. It’s a very cushy, exclusive area in the middle of the Lincoln Park area of Chicago. Of course, it’s still the city, but I would never fear for my sister (if I had one) wandering around Lincoln Park at night. There’s great public transportation to everywhere in Chicago and it’s close to the lakefront.
DePaul a third-tier university? I’m not so sure about that…that same US News and World Report issue rated DePaul’s MBA program in the top 10 in the US, at least according to the school’s website.
I don’t have much inside knowledge about DePaul otherwise. All I know is that (1) it’s founded and run by the Vincentian Catholics, just like the school I work for (Niagara); (2) nearly everyone from Niagara who wanted to stay in the Vincentian tradition and go on to grad school went to St. John’s instead; (3) their basketball team isn’t what it was.
My sis is a DePaul grad ('94, BS in Psychology). She loved the school. She said the classes were generally tough but fair. And as stoli said, the neighborhood is very good; generally safe, lots of things to do, very rich in cultural opportunities.
I currently live in the neighborhood where DePaul is located. In fact, I used their library to study for the bar exam and my roommate uses the campus gym to workout. It is a beautiful and safe neighborhood. There are plently of people and activities going on all the times. There are shops, restaurants, bars, transportation and recreation nearby.
The school itself used to have a reputation as a commuter school for suburban students. However, the school has made a big effort to update its situation and now has a lot of sutdents living on campus.
As far as the school itself, it is pretty good from what I know about its reputation. It is very well respected in Chicago. I am not sure of its reputation outside of Chicago (if your sister is contemplating moving back to your home state when she graduates).
With respect to your sister’s potential debt, it will not be cheap for you sister to live in Chicago for four years (even if she stays in the dorm the whole time) and I do have a lot of friends who regret incurring large undergrad debts when they realize how little salaries can be when they graduate. But hey, you’re only young once.