DePaul University
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Major: Film and Television
Minor: None
Student Self Identifies as: Caucasian Straight Male
Summary
Background
Gender Identity: Male
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Sexual Orientation: Straight
High School Experience: Public high school in the northern suburbs of Chicago, IL with a graduating class of about 400 students. There was a culture of going to college.
First-Generation College Student: No
Major: Film and Television
Minor: None
Extracurricular Activities: None
Academic Experience
Can you describe your weekly coursework for your major?
For the most part, it’s just essays and projects. We have little film production assignments too. Essays make up the bulk of my final grade and the projects are a smaller portion.
Is there anything you feel your major’s department does especially well or poorly?
I think they do a good job of giving a well-rounded education in a lot of fields. We’re on a quarter system so the classes are much shorter, which allows you a larger range of options to figure out what you want to do with it. The department provides different teachers with a wide variety of perspectives.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
I think it’s pretty collaborative. We all try to learn from each other and it has been great.
How accessible are your professors?
It depends on the professor, but for the most part, they’ll email you back or do a phone call with you within a couple of days if you ask them.
How was transitioning academically as a freshman college student? Are there systems in place that help you adapt?
For me, it felt pretty easy. I’ve had a lot of experience doing film work, but there are a ton of resources both student and academic support. If you’re falling behind, it’s easy to get help. They do student success academic coaching, where you meet with a senior in the same field and they help you with suggestions or keep on top of your work.
How has having two campus system impacted your experience?
I live close to the Loop Campus which isn’t normal for freshmen at all. It’s close to the film school and that’s where most of my classes are. By living here there’s definitely a disconnect with the central campus. When I go there, I don’t feel like I’m part of that college. But I have a lot of friends and appreciate my classes, teachers, and resources, so I don’t mind.
Why did you choose your major? Are you happy with your choice?
When I was 10 years old, I realized I liked movies more than everyone else so I decided to make them in high school. I figured out I liked that too, and haven’t looked back ever since.
Reasons to Attend
1) It really gives you a broader perspective on people and the world.
2) The quarter system allows for a wider variety of knowledge. It broadens your education, which I love.
3) The teachers help you figure out what you want to do, and encourage you to excel in that field.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) It’s really cold in Chicago.
2) It’s Chicago so it can be sketchy at times. If you’re not prepared to deal with that and aren’t comfortable with confrontation, this is also probably not a good place to live.
3) If you’re a Republican, you probably don’t want to come because it’s pretty Liberal.
Around Campus
Where have you lived on and around campus?
Freshman: University Center with one roommate and two suitemates
How do you like going to college so close to your hometown?
Because I grew up in a suburb and this is a large city, it doesn’t feel like I’m too close to home. I’ve really experienced a whole new world. It’s nice because my family is close by and when my friends come to town they’re close by and I can see them fairly easily.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
They do a good job with security. They have the blue light system in case of an emergency. You’re living in Chicago and they can only do so much, but when you’re close to school buildings, they do a good job.
Social Opportunities
What kind of weekend activities or nightlife do you like to participate in?
That can be pretty spontaneous. If you want to go out and party, you kind of need to [be 21]. I usually go to bars, apartments, and concerts. It depends on what other people are doing, but we’re more so doing things in the city of Chicago rather than going to fraternity parties. For the most part, people don’t have classes on Friday, so I’ll go out on Thursdays a lot. I’ll also go out Friday, and Saturday. Usually, either Friday or Saturday, I take the night off because going out three nights in a row can be exhausting sometimes.
What’s an alternative to going to a party or a bar that you like for a night out?
There’s a lot of stuff to do. I’ve gone to a couple of concerts, museum showings, and there are lots of early premiers for films where directors will come and you can enter a raffle to see if you’ll get in.
How happy are you with the weekend options? Is there anything you would change if you could?
I think I’m pretty happy. I crave a certain inconsistency. If things get consistent, I get bored, and it feels like every weekend I’m always doing something different.
What is the impact of Greek life on nightlife?
It’s something I’ve avoided. When I go to fraternity parties, it feels like a high school party with more people. If you’re part of it, it feels big, but if you’re not part of if you hardly notice it.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
On my floor in the dorm, and in my classes.
How would you describe the overall social scene at DePaul?
I think a lot of people aren’t going to make friends as a freshman unless they actively show interest in being their friend. Everyone is open and friendly, so I’ve had no issues meeting people.
To what extent do you think people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
Everybody integrates well. Everybody is pretty liberal, and it’s common to have diverse groups of friends. [The undergraduate population is 52% White, 8% Black, 20% Hispanic, and 11% Asian.]
How has the urban environment impacted your experience?
I feel like I’m living in the city and going to classes, rather than going to college. There’s a certain sense of independence and self-reliance that I’m really happy with, but I could see how it’s not for everyone.
How do you like the size of DePaul in terms of undergraduate enrollment? How was transitioning to a school with [about 14,000] students?
It’s pretty big, and I like that because I don’t want to end my freshman year knowing everyone in my class. I want to be able to meet new people, and I have that. At the same time, it doesn’t feel like I’m lost in so many people.
To what extent do people in Greek life and not in Greek life mix socially?
I really think they kind of just doing their own thing. I have a few friends in Greek life, but I don’t see them that often.
Careers
Have you learned any computer programs or computer languages that will be helpful professionally?
They teach Adobe Premiere.