Exploring Campus Life at the University of Delaware
The University of Delaware (UDel), a vibrant institution with a rich history and a forward-looking approach, offers a diverse and engaging campus life for its students. From academics and extracurriculars to its appealing location and commitment to student well-being, UDel provides a comprehensive college experience.
Aesthetically Pleasing Environment
The campus green looks really nice. Visiting the University of Delaware, one is immediately struck by the aesthetic appeal of the campus. The campus green, in particular, is reminiscent of more selective flagship universities such as UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill. I took advantage of surprisingly warm October weather to visit the University of Delaware (UDel) to attend their Blue and Golden Day. For a glimpse into the visual aspects of campus life, a University of Delaware Pinterest page offers a collection of photos.
Popularity and Geographic Appeal
UDel is quite popular with New Jersey and Pennsylvania students who want to leave their state for college. The university's appeal extends beyond Delaware's borders, attracting students from neighboring states. UDel ranks first for Jersey kids and second for those in Pennsylvania, after West Virginia University. It is also appealing to residents of Maryland, New York and Virginia, states with extremely selective flagship public universities. This popularity contributes to a diverse student body and a vibrant campus atmosphere.
However, less than a fifth of those accepted decide to deposit. Non-resident tuition and fees of over $41,000 might be part of the reason. A New Jersey resident will pay less to go to Maryland, Penn State or Pitt, among other schools if they have to pay the full charges, or might relent and decide to go to college in state. In most cases UDel will not undercut in-state charges at Home State U for well-prepared students. Blue Hens who graduated in 2023 owed, on average, over $38,000.
Academics and Opportunities
The University of Delaware is known for its strong academics and commitment to providing students with a wide range of opportunities.
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Engineering Programs
Prospective engineers will find a unique design-oriented curriculum over four years. The engineering makerspace was recently enlarged to 13,000 square feet. The students who led our tour told us that it is far less crowded now. For the first time this year engineers may apply to participate in the global World Scholars Program. Mechanical Engineering is the most popular major within the engineering school after Computer Science.
Honors College and Scholars Programs
Students have a fairer chance of admissions to an honors or a more personalized learning opportunity. The Honors College gets about 15 percent of an entering class, allowing all prospective students to apply, regardless of their grades and test scores. If you like UDel and get into Honors, take the offer. It’s a blend of study abroad and advanced academic studies that you won’t find at most other state schools as well as several other Scholars and Fellows programs that are worth a look.
Study Abroad
UDel was the first US college to offer study abroad. In 1923 the university led students on a one-year program to France.
Lerner School of Business and Economics
The Lerner School of Business and Economics is more selective than the university as a whole. According to Poets and Quants most recent rankings, less than half who apply get in. But if you are shopping non-resident costs for a good business school, take a serious look at Lerner. It makes it easier to enter undeclared for business than most and assigns each student a peer mentor as well as an executive mentor at the start. Lerner’s faculty and leadership make it easy for students to double major, tackle multiple minors or study abroad. These include, but are not limited to, Fashion Design, Art Conservation, and Public Policy.
Restricted Majors
UDel has an undergraduate student body that’s about half the size of Rutgers-New Brunswick or Penn State-University Park. However, the university does have restricted majors. It’s wise for students who hope to enter undecided to ask about this, especially if they hope to transfer into the schools of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering or the health professions. The Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising programs are also restricted.
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Internships and Graduation Rates
It’s quite possible to graduate in most majors with more than one internship or study abroad experience, even in the sciences or engineering, and still earn a degree in four years. The University of Delaware does very well at educating and graduating the majority of students that it attracts.
Campus and City Life
Downtown Newark (pronounced ‘New-ARK’ in state) looks more like a college town than College Park, Maryland or New Brunswick, New Jersey, offering plenty of pedestrian-accessible shops and over 75 restaurants to choose from. The university's location in Newark, Delaware, offers a quintessential college town experience. When you want to leave campus, you can easily travel to Baltimore, Philadelphia or Wilmington by car, bus or Amtrak train.
Residence Life
The university has been aggressive at improving the residence life experience, to the point of closing, even demolishing, older halls while opening newer ones. Average Housing Cost $14,838 per year.
Opportunities and Potential Pitfalls
Like most flagships, you can get a tremendous education, as good as you might get at more selective schools, if you’re truly seeking it, with similar results for employment or further education. However, like most flagships it is also possible to party and slide by.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies.
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