Academics
As the largest university in the state, the University of Delaware is a medium-sized interdisciplinary school with “a wide range of opportunities [and] full of students with pride, ambition and eagerness to make impact during the college years and beyond.” This research university offers 150 majors and plenty of chances to get into the lab, classroom, or a real world setting for your major (particularly for the school’s notable STEM and health-related programs). One strong aspect of UD is their range of 4+1 programs, which allow a student to receive a master’s degree in the year immediately following the completion of their bachelor’s, and “the unusual schedule (winter session)” allows for students to take advantage of the “variety of study abroad programs” through a short-term study abroad program.
Professors here are “helpful and available outside of the classroom,” “invested in their classes,” and “truly want students to succeed.” The school’s “many support systems and safety nets” ensure that students never get lost in the crowd. “Those who are falling behind have many resources they can refer to,” says an early childhood education major. Students admit that teaching here can be “hit or miss” in terms of the quality of lectures, so “it is usually good to get in touch with other students and find out what professors are good or bad.” Many professors conduct research or are involved with organizations around campus, and “they’re always willing to let students join them or get more involved,” as well.
Student Body
Students have “a plethora of opportunities to get involved with any number of clubs and activities all over campus” and the majority are involved with “Greek life, club sports, interest clubs, or working for the university.” The Delaware student body “has a lot of school spirit” and is a welcoming bunch: “Everyone is so friendly and nice it seems impossible to think you would ever meet someone otherwise.” Though UD is “not very diverse in a sense of…ethnicity,” it is “very diverse…regarding personality,” so “everyone should be able to find the right group for them.” There is a strong interest in the many registered student organizations on campus grounds to help students find communities, but no matter what your interests are at UD, “whenever you go anywhere you see many smiling faces.”
Campus Life
The beautiful campus is “so pleasing” that students immediately fall in love with the campus and offers “many places to study or just hang out and enjoy the company of fellow Blue Hens.” Hanging out on Main Street is also “a big thing here,” and its proximity means that “you don’t feel confined to a campus because you can enjoy different restaurants and shopping.” School work is “a large part of the day,” however, “everyone gets their work done to be able to be social during the night.” Small mixers and socials are held during the week, while weekends find a large chunk of students going to bars or house parties. Greek life is “definitely prominent” and tends to be popular on campus, and some say “you can’t go a single day without seeing a fraternity or sorority event or fundraiser.” For students who aren’t on the hunt for a party, “there are more and more alternatives to parties for the students who are not big into partying,” such the weekly events at the student center on Friday and Saturday nights.