Reviews
University of Denver
Michelle
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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It isn't hard to learn a lot if you go to classes and pay enough attention to your environment. It's also easy to learn a lot of lessons outside of the classroom by volunteering for events and getting involved with on-campus groups.
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Am enjoying being here
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I wouldn't pick any other school for my college education.
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Bang for the buck
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Although at times it may seem like the University is missing a service for students, it's there but you may be looking in the wrong places. The University provides many services and is still adapting to accomodate services that were not previously offered.
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Tips for prospective students
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While it is easy to critique schools for their athletics, facilities and policies, it is important to remember that college is about receiving a higher education. The University of Denver has all of the little things covered as well as providing a wholesome education.
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Great for these types of students
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I think that students who are interested in learning, self-motivated and care for reaching out to a larger community would find the University of Denver an excellent fit.
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Lauren from Eagan, MN
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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You will only learn a lot if you show up to class, are actively engaged in lectures, and go the extra step to talk to your professors or do outside research on the subject matter you are learning about. Personally, I love to learn and I find the professors and teaching assistants are readily available and love to help you when you are struggling or discuss more about lectures when you are really interested in the material.
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Am enjoying being here
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I love DU!!!! I was never one of those people who 'had a feeling' that this was the right school for me. I made a list of different aspects and compared the final two schools I could attend...DU won by a few points, but this was one of the best decisions I have ever made! There are so many exciting opportunities. I have toured a recycling plant, gone to an art walk downtown, gone on a weekend trip with my hall to a mountain cabin, seen Rob Thomas in concert (for $5), gotten involved in four campus organizations, met some amazing people, and the list goes on. I truly enjoy not only attending classes, but getting involved and being a part of the University of Denver.
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Bang for the buck
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DU is a very expensive school (partly because it is a private university), but I received lots of financial aid/scholarships so I pay for less than half of the tuition. Applying for scholarships can really pay off. Although tuition is a bit high, the opportunities at DU are really amazing and if you take advantage of your resources you will know that every penny is worth it.
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Tips for prospective students
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Visit campus before you decide if it's the right place for you (and this goes for any university you are considering). On your visit, ask questions, go on the tour, eat in the dining hall, and maybe even sit in on a class. Every school has a different atmosphere, whether it be the dining style, the size of classes, the population of the school, or the surrounding attractions and it is important to experience this for a few hours (and maybe snap a couple pictures to remind yourself of your visit) in order to get a better feel for what life might be like. DU is a smaller school, so you won't get the giant city feel, but downtown Denver is only a few stops away on the light rail so you can have the best of both worlds. DU also lets you spend the night with current students to give you a perspective on dorm life.
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Great for these types of students
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DU caters to a wide range of students and although it is stereotyped for people of a higher socioeconomic status, I don't fit this statistic and I have found my niche and met people like myself who apply for every scholarship possible, so anyone can find their own place to excel at DU. The number of extra-curricular activities offered almost guarantees you will find something that interests you and a group of an organization that supports your interests and values. The educational rigor is not that of an ivy league school, but as a high school honors/AP student I am still challenged at DU without participating in their honors program. I find just the right balance between studying and social activities without being overwhelmed. DU is not for people who are going to party every night, but you don't need to spend every waking hour (and even hours you should be sleeping) studying.
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Jennilee from Denver, CO
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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DU gives you the opportunity to apply the knowledge you learn in classroom to the local community around you. The university upholds many professional relationships with the city of Denver and the surrounding area, which allows students to also develop networking and see how the skills are applied in everyday life. A lot of the professors are also highly respected in their field and are still practicing their work, not just teaching in the classroom.
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Am enjoying being here
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I LOVE spending time on campus!! It is absolutely beautiful with its red-brick pathways, ponds and fountains, and well maintained landscape. Since there isn't a ridiculous amount of students, it is easy to get around and everyone is fairly friendly. There is wireless Internet in every building along with comfortable places to relax, catch up with friends, or study. You can always find something to end no matter where you are on campus.
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Bang for the buck
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DU is fairly expensive compared to other schools, however you don't have to worry about overwhelming large class sizes like other public universities. The University of Denver also offers better financial aid, grants and scholarships to incoming students because they recognize how high tuition is in comparison. I have a friend that went to a public University in Colorado and ended up paying more than I do even though overall general tuition is twice the price of DU!!
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Tips for prospective students
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I highly recommend that visit campus if you can. I visited as many as I could, but once I visited DU, I could just feel how right it felt. I know it sounds corny, but you'll know when you step foot there.
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Great for these types of students
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*Community involved or those who want to be
*Anyone that has high values about ethics, integrity and education |
Nicholas from Littleton, CO
a current student here
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In three sentences
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Wonderful campus and excellent environment to live in and learn. Colorado is a fantastic state. The education you'll receive is prime.
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Tips for prospective students
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Don't think that since you;re in Colorado, it's weed central.
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Academic Rigor
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Depends on the classes you take, and what you put in to them.
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Dorm Life
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Living conditions are adequate if you're not a wimp and expecting five-star treatment. The people vary in coolness, but that's unavoidable.
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Food and Dining
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Buffet.
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What to do for fun
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Skiing/Snowboarding; go downtown; go to athletic events on campus.
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Bang for the buck
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It's pricey, but affordable if you work everything right.
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Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
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Apparently we have to hate Colorado College and North Dakota State.
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Great for these types of students
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People that want to have fun. People that are looking for a college experience, but not where you're one in fourty thousand students.
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Clubs and Activities
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Soooooooooooooooo much to do here.
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Greek Life
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I'm not in it, but if you want to be involved it's really easy to join.
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Campus Safety
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They're doing everything right, it's just near urban neighborhoods and there have been four too many robberies for my taste.
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Jonathan from Castle Rock, CO
a current student here
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In three sentences
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With it's enormous pricetag, DU may seem rather intimidating at first, but it is worth every penny. The smaller class sizes, accessible professors, and friendly community of students make it a very welcoming place to study. When you're not studying, there is always plenty to do because there are always plenty of activities on campus, in the big city of Denver, or in the mountains that are just a short trip away.
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Tips for prospective students
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Don't let the estimated cost of attendance scare you away! Everyone I know who is attending this school has received a large amount of financial aid. In fact, after factoring in scholarships, grants, and other financial aid, DU was actually the CHEAPEST school on my short list of colleges. If you love the variety of options DU offers in majors, activities, and fun things to do, just apply and wait for the scholarship money to start rolling in.
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Academic Rigor
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Academic rigor varies widely depending on the course of study, but you can always expect it to be at least average, if not much better. Many of our professors have PhDs and many more have been recognized for outstanding work in their fields. Our business school is recognized throughout the nation, and our department of engineering is on the rise. (I may be slightly biased, however, since I'm a mechanical engineering student.) Everyone likes to complain about the homework, but really, it's not that bad. Most of it is designed to make you think, not just fill your time with busy work (although we do get a little of that sometimes). All in all, you can expect to be challenged here, but DU makes sure to emphasize the plentiful resources they give you to succeed. From the writing center in the library, to the accessible schedule of the professors, to the numerous study groups, clubs, and societies focused on developing skills in each area of study, you will have many opportunities to strengthen your skills.
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Dorm Life
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My dorm is FANTASTIC. As an introvert, I was a little worried going into DU about making new friends, so much so that I requested someone I already knew to be my roommate. I needn't have worried. Everyone was best friends with the other 65 students on my floor after the first week. We have an open-door policy in Johnson-McFarlane, the dorm I live in, so it's not uncommon to see students wandering into each other's rooms to chat, study together, or have Super Smash Bros tournaments on the N64 that someone brought. On weekends, there's always a group of people going somewhere, whether it to the top-notch campus athletic facilities for a basketball game or in Denver for a night on the town. I know we aren't the only floor that acts like this. There are many themed floors on campus, such as the Social Justice floor, the Honors floor, and the Pioneer Leadership Program floor (where I live), and from what I've experienced, these floors are usually a bit more tight-knit than non-themed floors. I would highly recommend one of these themed floors (or Living and Learning Communities, as DU calls them) if you're concerned about making friends. Trust me, boredom is not an option here.
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Food and Dining
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As it is in most colleges, students love to complain about the dining. Personally, I don't think it's too bad. They always have a variety of option for carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores alike, although many students start to get tired of the cycle of food options in a few weeks. They have a good selection of meal plans to choose from. Most people start out with the (most expensive) unlimited meal plan their first quarter at DU, which gives them unlimited access to meals in the dining halls and a hundred bucks to spend at some of the many restaurants around/on campus. However, once you figure out your eating habits, you can easily change meal plans at the end of a quarter to save you the most money. The largest downside to food and dining at DU, however, is the hours of the dining halls. The large, buffet-style cafeterias open and close at the most obscure hours on weekends (you can't get breakfast until 10:00 on Saturdays and Sundays), and they often aren't open around move-in/move-out day. I gave student government a suggestion about this, so hopefully, they'll have this problem fixed soon.
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Travis from Morrison, CO
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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DU is a school that will challenge you, no matter which field you pursue. The course matter is more in depth than to that of which you have ever been exposed, but the way of thinking that the school gives you is unmatched. For example, if you take a writing class, you will not only learn how to be a better writer and write rhetorically with more aptitude, but you will analyze conversations, artwork, movies, and music with the same mindset to come to greater insight. DU undoubtedly teaches you analytical thinking.
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Am enjoying being here
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I could not be happier with a choice of college. The facilities are fantastic, the professors are clear and helpful, and the people are incredibly social if that is what you are looking for. The thing that I love the most is that I get a fantastic education and mental challenge throughout the week, and then get to socialize every day during lunch and after class. On top of that, DU weekends are seldom boring. A party is never too far away if that is what you are looking for, but relaxation and solitude is equally available if that plays more to your favor.
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Bang for the buck
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It is a private school. Therefore, it will be more expensive than in-state public schools or community colleges. However, a degree from a private school, such as the University of Denver, will automatically look better than that of a public University. Additionally, DU offers academic scholarships to a majority of its applicants automatically and the amount is dependent on one's high school grades and extracurricular activities. Furthermore, the school provides a vast amount of resources at your discretion including a study-aboad program in which the school pays for you to travel anywhere in the world and take classes and have fun.
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Tips for prospective students
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If you are considering the University of Denver as your choice in schooling, the most important thing is to have an idea what your major will be and then take a tour of the campus. The reason for this is that you will then be able to make a decision on which dorm is closest to your classes. For example, Bio students have a very short walk if they live in JMAC while Political Science majors are recommended to live in Halls.
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Great for these types of students
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If you want to expand your mind, come to DU. If you want to be surrounded by sporting events and social opportunities, come to DU. If you want to go skiing/snowboarding over winter, come to DU. If you want to study-abroad, come to DU. If you like sunny days, come to DU.
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Jeremy from Denver, CO
a current student here
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In three sentences
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This is a university that does everything it can to push you and help you in the right direction. I've never been to a place that has so many services to help tutor and get you to an a grade. Also this expects a lot from you and strives to see you at your best, I love it.
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Tips for prospective students
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Just be prepared for the quarter system and work diligently.
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Academic Rigor
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The quarter system forces you to learn quick and have little time. It's perfect because you can focus on school and stay out of trouble.
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Dorm Life
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It's fun.
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Food and Dining
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Like many campuses, there is a lot of off site food that is quick and good. The cafeteria here is good as well.
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What to do for fun
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I mostly read and further my studies in math.
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Bang for the buck
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This has much access to work opportunities for students after they graduate.
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Great for these types of students
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People who love to learn and focus on learning.
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Campus Safety
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One of the schools number one priority is student safety.
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Marianne from Colorado Springs, CO
a current student here
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In three sentences
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I love University of Denver. The community is very inclusive and open-minded, and there is a wide variety of activities. Additionally, it is clear that the professors truly care about your success and are all passionate about what they teach.
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Tips for prospective students
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If you want to go to a fairly big campus but don't want to walk around not recognizing anyone, DU is the right place. It has great business, music, law, and science programs. But you have to be willing to work hard, because DU is on a quarter system which moves very fast.
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Academic Rigor
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What makes DU challenging is that the professors have high expectations and the quarter system moves extremely fast. It is very difficult to catch up if you miss class or get behind at all.
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Dorm Life
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I love dorm life--I live on the substance free floor, and it's great to live on a floor with people who have the same opinions of substance use. That being said, I love going to visit my friends in other dorms. Everyone is generally really friendly and welcoming, regardless of the building or floor.
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Food and Dining
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The food has its good days, but sometimes it's not so great. But what I love is that in the dining halls, it's all-you-can-eat dining, which is not the case at many other universities.
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What to do for fun
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There are all sorts of clubs, from dance clubs to music clubs to student leadership clubs. The DU Programming Board also puts on weekly events you can go to. Additionally, since DU students have free access to all the buses and light rail in Denver, it is easy to find something to do off campus as well, be it shopping, clubbing, or bowling.
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Bang for the buck
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DU is an expensive school, but if you really get involved on campus you can really see why it costs so much. The classes are also really small, which is great because it allows you to connect on a personal level with your professors.
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Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
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The Bridge on campus is a place where you can go and find out about lots of student organizations--there are tables with different student groups set up pretty much 24/7. It's also where the student center, bookstore, and pub (a restaurant) are located.
As for traditions, every year there is the famous Student Season Hockey Ticket Campout, where students will set up tents on the lawn in front of the ticket office in anticipation of buying season tickets for Hockey. It's a really fun experience. |
Great for these types of students
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Hard-working students, people who like participating in lots of activities, hockey fanatics, students who like individual attention from teachers.
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Clubs and Activities
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There's literally something to do for everybody on campus, and often, students are part of multiple organizations. Some of my friends are part of over 6 organizations on campus. (And yes, they still find time to study, too).
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Greek Life
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Greek life is great at DU, there are plenty of sororities and fraternities. What is great about greek life, however, is that they are not exclusive--even if you aren't a part of greek life, you're still welcome to participate in their activities.
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Campus Safety
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Campus safety responds to calls very quickly, and they have blue lighted telephones placed all over campus so you can pick up and call an officer to come escort you to wherever you need to go if you don't feel safe.
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Darla from Brighton, CO
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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My professors are interesting and diverse. Most of them understand that you are first quarter freshman and give you a week or two to get settled. Not only do I learn from classes but there are a ton of out of state and international students to learn from too!
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Am enjoying being here
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Clean campus, good people, good spirit. We are the #1 NCAA non-football school in the nation! Everyone is unbelievably friendly, the hospitality has been commented upon many, many times since I've been here. There is always something going on and it is a short (free!) lightrail ride away from downtown Denver.
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Bang for the buck
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It is a bit pricey but definitely worth it in the end. Alumni and career opportunities are endless at DU, CEOs of major corporations to small business owners, DU has a little bit of everything to help you out after graduations
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Tips for prospective students
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Definitely apply! Financial aid is AMAZING for an insititution this expensive. Just see what you can get out of it- the people, atmosphere, and potential of DU is enough to at least take a tour.
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Great for these types of students
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Outdoorsy & Adventurous!
Business (Daniels College of Business is internationall recognized!) |
Diana from Aurora, CO
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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With the quarter system, you will be amazed on how enormous your learnings will be. All you need to do is keep up and put real effort because every class, you will have something new to learn.
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Am enjoying being here
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I LOVE DU. There are so many things to do - so many organizations to be involved with, many events, etc. Great campus and great people.
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Bang for the buck
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DU is very expensive HOWEVER after the scholarships that they offer, their price is very affordable that it seems that you are paying for a public school with a private school quality. They do give 100% tuition assistance to some students which is very awesome.
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Tips for prospective students
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Apply early so you won't miss all the opportunities available and scholarships offered. Apply for FAFSA ASAP, this is very important for federal assistance. Make good grades in your high school and have a lot of extra curricular activities and don't forget to volunteer. This will increase your chances of being accepted.
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Great for these types of students
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Basically, all types of students. Students who want to have a high quality education, experience college life, create lasting friendships, and of course who loves mountains and outdoor activities.
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