What's up with DePaul University? (Chicago, Phoenix: private school, living, tuition)

[DrEarth]

I'm not familiar with the university, other than the reviews I've read, but have met a few people who attend. Lately, I hear many radio ads for the university, as well as see a lot of TV ads on multiple channels. It's almost as bad as those for-profit schools that advertise on daytime TV.

So, then I look at some of the graduate programs on the website, and it seems like they will accept anyone with a pulse that can pay the tuition.

Opinions?

[ToriaT]

Wow could not disagree with you more. I am an avid tv watcher, and radio listener and almost never hear ads for Depaul. Not saying there aren't any. They are the largest Catholic university in the country and while they do not have the reputation of a Northwestern or U of C, they are somewhat selective (64%) at least at the undergrad level. My son went there so I do take note of things when I hear of Depaul. I think they have a solid reputation and are quite expensive being a private school. Not saying they do not have drives to publicize the school and increase enrollment but I have not heard a barrage of advertising. I think the graduate school would all depend on what you are majoring in. There are better schools of course, but also much worse schools too, in general.

[ChiNaan]

Nope. The DePaul grads I've met or worked with have all been well above average in intelligence; people who were smart kids and good students in school growing up and usually ended up with graduate degrees and making major contributions in Chicago and elsewhere (often in fields like education, which means they're not wealthy). It's not Northwestern or UC, but it's closer to being in their league than it is to being in the category of fly-by-night for-profit schools, by far.

I don't know what their admissions standards are, but I've never met a stupid graduate from there, which I can't say about any major for-profit school.

[DrEarth]

I see more DePaul commercials than University of Phoenix. I don't have cable, so they're on the local channels. When I posted the thread, I just heard a commercial on the radio.

Like I said, I don't know what the reputation is, other than Catholic, expensive, and some reviews I read online.

From the graduate programs in computers/ IT:

-2.5 GPA from undergrad
-No GRE
-No references required
-No personal statement required

I read that DePaul doesn't require SAT or ACT scores either.

[DrEarth]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

Nope. The DePaul grads I've met or worked with have all been well above average in intelligence; people who were smart kids and good students in school growing up and usually ended up with graduate degrees and making major contributions in Chicago and elsewhere (often in fields like education, which means they're not wealthy). It's not Northwestern or UC, but it's closer to being in their league than it is to being in the category of fly-by-night for-profit schools, by far.

I don't know what their admissions standards are, but I've never met a stupid graduate from there, which I can't say about any major for-profit school.

I wasn't comparing DePaul to for-profit schools, I just noticed an abundance of commercials recently.

[marothisu]

The acceptance rate of DePaul overall is around 65%, which is not *entirely* easy to get into. Illinois is technically easier to get into than DePaul. If you want to compare, here's some other institutions and their acceptance rates:

Iowa - 80%
Michigan State - 73%
Indiana - 72%
Illinois - 68%
Purdue - 68%
Wisconsin - 66%
Loyola-Chicago - 65%
UIC - 63%
Ohio State - 63%
Nebraska - 59%
Penn State - 55%
Minnesota - 48%
Michigan - 41%
Northwestern - 18%
U of Chicago - 13%


Half of the big 10 schools are easier to get into than DePaul and another is around the same rate. Loyola and UIC are just as hard to get into.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by DrEarth

I wasn't comparing DePaul to for-profit schools

Originally Posted by DrEarth

It's almost as bad as those for-profit schools

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by DrEarth

From the graduate programs in computers/ IT:

-2.5 GPA from undergrad
-No GRE
-No references required
-No personal statement required

I read that DePaul doesn't require SAT or ACT scores either.

Please cite your source for this.

[Lorielicious]

Oh hey, I'm going to offer an opinion that isn't worth much. I'd never heard of DePaul until I moved to Chicago, and when I saw advertisements for it all over the L, I figured it was another one of those for-profit schools. After living here for a sec and talking to people, I came to find that it's a pretty well-respected school in these parts and have met many grads who seem to be bright and reasonable people. What's with all the cheesy DeVry style advertisements then?

[DrEarth]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

Regarding commercials, not academic quality.