The University of Delaware

Date: Mar 21 2009
Major: English (This Major's Salary over time)
Coming to this school was one of the best decisions I have ever made. This is a fantastic university for those students who want the perfect balance between a challenging academic curriculum and an active social life.

That being said, don't think that this school is going to be four years of partying - the school hates the reputation that it has as a party school and has cracked down so hard on the social atmosphere that finding a party that won't be broken up by the Newark police is as difficult as passing one of the notorious business school accounting exams. Be prepared to face a demanding curriculum, particularly if you are a business, engineering, or biology student.

The workload can be tough. If you are looking for a school that will provide a gentle transition from high school to college level curriculum, look somewhere else. They expect you to be able to handle heavy course loads literally from day one, so don't think you can ease your way into your classes. The professors have no tolerance for students who are unable to jump right in, and expect challenging projects, test, papers that are due by the third week of school.

The quality of the dorms is lacking, and the food is marginal at best. Most students move off campus after freshman year, and there is no lack of places to rent.

The campus is awesome. It has an entirely New England feel to it, and the buildings and grounds are absolutely pristine. The city of Newark, however, leaves alot to be desired. Get outside of the campus, and there isnt much to do outside of getting harrassed by townies. The good news is that Wilmington is only a half an hour away and can be very fun, and Philly is only an hour, as is Baltimore. If you plan on leaving campus, I would head to one of these places.

If you are not from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, or Delaware, the students can be a little intimidating. Expect to see lots of polo shirts and hair gel, and lots of Audis and BMWs on campus, as most of the students seem to appear to come from upper class roots. There are plenty of social opportunities for everyone, but if you fit the above description, you will have a better shot of fitting in. It definitely doesnt seem to be the most diverse college in the country.

The professors are generally excellent when it comes to expertise in their subject matter. However, for every professor you find who is accessible and open to student interaction, there is a professor who seems to disdain actually having to talk to students outside of class. Be prepared to deal with some stand-offish professors who seem to be struggling with the fact that they feel as though they should be teaching at UPENN. The good news is that I can only remember a few low level classes that were taught by a TA.

The administration is pretty good. I have no stories to tell of classes getting dropped or the finance department screwing up billing or anything like that. Just make sure to think carefully about what you sign up for in between semesters and make sure to talk to your guidance councellors.

The bottom line is that this school has gotten to be a pretty tough school academically over the last ten years, and it has been burning up the rankings because of this. UD grads are considered attractive commodities on the east coast, where I reside, and I even find that people in the Midwest are aware of the reputation of the school, especially when it comes to business and engineering. Be prepared to put in an effort socially and educationally, and you will be well rewarded in the future with the friends that you make and the career that you enjoy.

Go Hens!