University of Delawere, Newark - good or not?

[maryCh]

Sounds like UD has a mixed bag when it comes to reputation! Sadly, I think this is true of about 90% of today's college campuses (sp?). Our oldest attends a large campus in the Univ of NC system, and all of what has been posted so far can be said of that school too.

I think what goes on all over U.S. (at least) at the colleges is SO much freedom, and too many kids getting into college not ready for all the adult decisions that abound. With the fall semester quickly approaching, HKmom, please check in and let us know what the status of your son's application to UD is.

Mary

[delglenn]

Like almost any other college in the US, UD is what you make of it. Depending on your own choices, it can be academically challenging and profoundly rewarding, or a slacker party-school. (Many students come here with the sole purpose of escaping their parents.) I graduated with double majors in English and Anthropology, and never felt unchallenged. I always chose classes that interested me, and was never burdened by the tedious requirements I would have had at other schools. You will also find a faculty that is generally inviting, personable, and dedicated to their students.

As for safety. There are indeed issues, just as there are at most US schools this size. But if you look at the majority of the incidents, they are after midnight and involve students walking home from the bars. Students who come to UD to do more studying than partying are often 99.9% safe. I have never felt unsafe in the Newark area, but then I'm not out and about after midnight.

The university also makes crime statistics available on a daily basis: Daily Crime Update, and offers an escort service to any student who is out and about late or feels unsafe for any reason: http://www.udel.edu/PublicSafety/escorts.htm.

Yes, culture is often lacking, but for a town this size, they do pretty well. The University also makes many cultural events available to students, from concerts and plays to low-cost bus trips to Philadelphia, Washington, and NYC.

It's never easy to be car-less in the US, but it is possible in the Newark area. Delaware has an adequate bus system (DART), and links easily to larger transit (SEPTA, Amtrak, Greyhound). It isn't easy (don't even THINK about taxis around Newark!), but it's certainly doable. It's certainly easy to get to NYC, Washington, or Philadelphia, though. Just make sure to live ON CAMPUS, where transit is easier to access!

Good luck!

[LBIkid]

I graduated from UD in 1996, enjoyed my time there and would recommend the school to anyone who asked. I can understand if the crime rate is a little higher there when compared to other campuses because UD is not an enclosed/gated campus. The school buildings are intertwined with the town of Newark. To me, this was a big plus. There are plenty of things to do on and off-campus. I'm sorry for those that did not have a good experience there, but it is what you make of it and it's probably not perfect for everyone. If your son attends UD, he should be prepared for larger class sizes in the general courses (i.e. Psychology 101) and a spread out campus. As for on-campus housing, Laird Campus has/is being completely redone with brand new dorms. It's a little bit of a hike to the main campus, but it'll keep him in shape . West campus (Rodney and Dickinson was newer when I was there and seemed nice. East campus (aka the beach) was older with less amenities, but closer to classes and campus life. Either way, he'll be able to relocate if he doesn't like the part of campus he is assigned to. Best of luck.

[SXMGirl]

I read today that the Princeton Review rated UD as one of the best undergraduate schools in the US.

[gem723]

My son attends UD and he is very happy there. He can easily walk to town and get anything he needs. But then again, the town gets boring quickly. There isn't all that much to do. FYI, LBI kid, the "beach" not longer has sand on it. They put astro-turf on it much to the dismay of the students. Engineering and the entire science department is very strong with excellent professors. Yes, I am concerned about the crime, but as in many schools, there is crime anywhere. Lots of schools seem to be in less than terrific surrounding areas. You just have to be smart and not walk around town after midnight alone. The blue light system will bring campus security to you and escort you anywhere on campus. UD has an absolutely beautiful campus and the kids are all friendly. What my son liked about the school when we visited was that the kids all seemed so happy to be there and were so entusiastic. The school has many strong departments which was also a plus since my son wasn't sure what he wanted to major in.

[LBIkid]

Originally Posted by gem723

FYI, LBI kid, the "beach" not longer has sand on it. They put astro-turf on it much to the dismay of the students.

They astro-turfed the beach? I know that there always seems to be new construction on campus, but c'mon - you can't astro truf the beach!

[gem723]

Our thoughts exactly,LBIkid. My son and his friends were not at all happy. His dorm was right near the beach so he was especially disappointed. It seems that the new astro turf was a present from one of the recent graduating classes. "Some present" as my son says. FYI, Lane and Thompson were redone and are very nice, but still small. There are two new buildings on the Laird campus, both with A/C.