Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
UD professors really challenge students to think about things, develop their own arguments, and make connections with what they’re learning in one class to what they’ve learned in another. This dynamic is facilitated by the Core Curriculum – every UD student is required to take specific History, English, and Philosophy classes, in addition to politics, art, and economics. Admittedly, some professors are easier than others, and you can manage the difficulty of your classes by asking around for who is and isn’t a hard teacher. That being said, I would highly recommend taking the hard teachers (Moran for Lit Trad is wonderful); they really make the UD experience special. Dr. Olenick in Physics and Dr. Hendrickson in Chemistry are especially noteworthy as exceptional professors for those interested in the sciences. Overall, I am very happy with the education I am earning at UD!
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
It may sound cliché, but I am having the time of my life at UD. The friends I’ve made are the best I’ve ever had. UD students are not afraid to be who they are and do what they want to do. For some, it means having hours long conversations about Plato and Aristotle; for others, it means spending every spare minute in the Drama department; and for one of my friends, it means walking around in a banana suit on special occasions (I’m not kidding – everyone loves it!). In addition, there’s always something to do on campus. RHA has multiple events each week, Swing Club has dancing from 9-11 every Wednesday night, SPUD puts on TGIT, Dallas Year organizes weekend activities off campus (anywhere from a fancy dinner to Six Flags to a baseball game), and the many clubs on campus have plenty of events throughout each month. UD also offers some very much beloved traditions throughout the year, including Charity Week (watch out – you might get jailed!), Lazy Faire (the snow cones and water slides are refreshing, to say the least), Winter Cotillion (all ballroom dancing – it’s fantastic!), Groundhog (only recommended for those who like to drink), and Spring Formal (more modern than Cotillion and usually located at an off-campus venue). Sometimes, though, watching a movie in the dorm with your friends, playing a board game, or getting off campus to see the city is more appealing. There’s even a 50 cent movie theatre near campus. There’s hardly ever a lack of things to do on or off campus, nor friends with whom to enjoy them!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
UD is very expensive compared to public schools, but compared to other Catholic schools, its tuition is normal. Most students do receive a large amount of financial aid, and there are many merit-based scholarships for students who are willing to work hard. National Merit Finalists receive full tuition! Work study is also readily available for low income students.
The education and the atmosphere is definitely worth the money. UD is not very well funded, however, and all of the departments recently received budget cuts. There isn't a lot of money to go around for clubs and student government, but it is enough to keep the students happy. The cafeteria is not worth cost, but the comaraderie with other students is nice. The dorms are not as nice as they could be, and sometimes things take a little while to get fixed, but overall they are still pleasant places to be.
I think UD is worth the money, but if you would have to take so many loans that you're paying them off well into your 40's, it may be wiser to attend a different school.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
If you're a prospective student, the best thing you can do is visit the campus. It's what convinced me to attend UD, and I know many other students who had a similar experience.
If you do attend UD, then
DO:
- Go to Rome. UD has a campus in Due Santi (just outside Rome), and students often attend school in Italy for an entire semester during the Sophomore or Junior year. More information about the program can be found here: http://www.udallas.edu/aboutus/offices/advancement/giving/givingopportunities/rome
- Visit Campus Ministry. The people there are the most quirky/interesting/goodhearted people you will meet, and Denise Phillips, the Campus Minister, is a wonderful help if you just need to talk to someone. You’ll also find out about volunteer opportunities more easily, if you’re interested. If you’re not Catholic, it’s not a problem – Campus Ministry exists to minister to the non-Catholics on campus, although Catholics are welcome too.
- Go to Open Anselm on Wednesday nights – it’s free food and a movie, but you don’t have to stay for the movie. Did I mention there was free food? Well, there is. Free food. Don’t miss it.
- Try swing dancing. It’s very popular at UD, and it’s not hard to learn.
- Get to know your professors. Many of the professors at UD love nothing more than for you to walk into their office for a friendly visit!
- Bring a printer. UD has a computer lab if you need to print, but it’s cheaper and easier to use your own if you can. Also, the healthy bacterial cultures which live on the computer mice are rather disturbing (I know, because I tested them myself).
DON’T:
- Climb on top of the art building roof. It’s an easy climb, so many students are tempted to do it, but campus safety officers check for students there regularly, and if you’re caught, you’ll be fined a few hundred dollars. It’s not worth it, especially since the Dallas pollution prevents you from seeing many stars.
- ...
Which types of students will excel at your college?
UD embraces many different types of students, but most share a love of learning. If you are
- curious
- want to learn about more than just your major through the Core Curriculum
- want to spend a semester abroad in Italy
- are a Catholic looking for a supportive, moral environment
- want a small school with small class sizes
- love a good challenge,
then you should definitely consider the University of Dallas.
UD has very strong Biology, Theology, and Philosophy programs, and is a good choice for those who would like to go on to law or medical school. It’s also a very good place for science majors who want a liberal arts education while still learning the technical information required by their chosen field.
UD professors really challenge students to think about things, develop their own arguments, and make connections with what they’re learning in one class to what they’ve learned in another. This dynamic is facilitated by the Core Curriculum – every UD student is required to take specific History, English, and Philosophy classes, in addition to politics, art, and economics. Admittedly, some professors are easier than others, and you can manage the difficulty of your classes by asking around for who is and isn’t a hard teacher. That being said, I would highly recommend taking the hard teachers (Moran for Lit Trad is wonderful); they really make the UD experience special. Dr. Olenick in Physics and Dr. Hendrickson in Chemistry are especially noteworthy as exceptional professors for those interested in the sciences. Overall, I am very happy with the education I am earning at UD!
It may sound cliché, but I am having the time of my life at UD. The friends I’ve made are the best I’ve ever had. UD students are not afraid to be who they are and do what they want to do. For some, it means having hours long conversations about Plato and Aristotle; for others, it means spending every spare minute in the Drama department; and for one of my friends, it means walking around in a banana suit on special occasions (I’m not kidding – everyone loves it!). In addition, there’s always something to do on campus. RHA has multiple events each week, Swing Club has dancing from 9-11 every Wednesday night, SPUD puts on TGIT, Dallas Year organizes weekend activities off campus (anywhere from a fancy dinner to Six Flags to a baseball game), and the many clubs on campus have plenty of events throughout each month. UD also offers some very much beloved traditions throughout the year, including Charity Week (watch out – you might get jailed!), Lazy Faire (the snow cones and water slides are refreshing, to say the least), Winter Cotillion (all ballroom dancing – it’s fantastic!), Groundhog (only recommended for those who like to drink), and Spring Formal (more modern than Cotillion and usually located at an off-campus venue). Sometimes, though, watching a movie in the dorm with your friends, playing a board game, or getting off campus to see the city is more appealing. There’s even a 50 cent movie theatre near campus. There’s hardly ever a lack of things to do on or off campus, nor friends with whom to enjoy them!
UD is very expensive compared to public schools, but compared to other Catholic schools, its tuition is normal. Most students do receive a large amount of financial aid, and there are many merit-based scholarships for students who are willing to work hard. National Merit Finalists receive full tuition! Work study is also readily available for low income students. The education and the atmosphere is definitely worth the money. UD is not very well funded, however, and all of the departments recently received budget cuts. There isn't a lot of money to go around for clubs and student government, but it is enough to keep the students happy. The cafeteria is not worth cost, but the comaraderie with other students is nice. The dorms are not as nice as they could be, and sometimes things take a little while to get fixed, but overall they are still pleasant places to be. I think UD is worth the money, but if you would have to take so many loans that you're paying them off well into your 40's, it may be wiser to attend a different school.
If you're a prospective student, the best thing you can do is visit the campus. It's what convinced me to attend UD, and I know many other students who had a similar experience. If you do attend UD, then DO: - Go to Rome. UD has a campus in Due Santi (just outside Rome), and students often attend school in Italy for an entire semester during the Sophomore or Junior year. More information about the program can be found here: http://www.udallas.edu/aboutus/offices/advancement/giving/givingopportunities/rome - Visit Campus Ministry. The people there are the most quirky/interesting/goodhearted people you will meet, and Denise Phillips, the Campus Minister, is a wonderful help if you just need to talk to someone. You’ll also find out about volunteer opportunities more easily, if you’re interested. If you’re not Catholic, it’s not a problem – Campus Ministry exists to minister to the non-Catholics on campus, although Catholics are welcome too. - Go to Open Anselm on Wednesday nights – it’s free food and a movie, but you don’t have to stay for the movie. Did I mention there was free food? Well, there is. Free food. Don’t miss it. - Try swing dancing. It’s very popular at UD, and it’s not hard to learn. - Get to know your professors. Many of the professors at UD love nothing more than for you to walk into their office for a friendly visit! - Bring a printer. UD has a computer lab if you need to print, but it’s cheaper and easier to use your own if you can. Also, the healthy bacterial cultures which live on the computer mice are rather disturbing (I know, because I tested them myself). DON’T: - Climb on top of the art building roof. It’s an easy climb, so many students are tempted to do it, but campus safety officers check for students there regularly, and if you’re caught, you’ll be fined a few hundred dollars. It’s not worth it, especially since the Dallas pollution prevents you from seeing many stars. - ...
UD embraces many different types of students, but most share a love of learning. If you are - curious - want to learn about more than just your major through the Core Curriculum - want to spend a semester abroad in Italy - are a Catholic looking for a supportive, moral environment - want a small school with small class sizes - love a good challenge, then you should definitely consider the University of Dallas. UD has very strong Biology, Theology, and Philosophy programs, and is a good choice for those who would like to go on to law or medical school. It’s also a very good place for science majors who want a liberal arts education while still learning the technical information required by their chosen field.