Butler Alumni? (schools, university, pharmacy)

[teebird1012]

If you've read my few posts on the Indy forum, you'll know I spend about one or two weekends every month in Indy and have become pretty familiar with the city, but I have never been to Butler. I'm 17 (junior in HS) and have already started the "wonderful" college admissions process. I've looked at Depauw because my parents went there, but do not know a thing about Butler. The majority of my family lives in Indy and it would be nice to be close to them. My primary goal is to get the **** out of Kentucky. What can anyone tell me about Butler? I've heard it's a good school, pretty campus- the usual things you hear about schools. I'm trying to dig deeper and do some more research, but I thought maybe some you locals could give me some more info. I'm looking around in IN, TN, NC, CA, VA, and MA. Thanks!

[billman5000]

I graduated from Butler (eons ago), it's a decent school. It kills me to say it but Depauw has a slightly better reputation academically, e.g., it is more serious.

Butler is hopelessly Greek. Lot of people go there because it 'looks' like what people imagine Ivy League would look like.

If my family lived in Indy and I could afford it I'd go to Depauw...or get really serious and go to U of Chicago.

[sweetana3]

Our friend's son goes there. He is a incredibly bright student and is getting his undergrad degree in chemistry and music and plans 100% to go to grad school. He is the kind of kid that goes to medical school or goes into research. He loves the size of the school (smaller) and the midwest location. My former boss was on the board. She got her accounting degree there and went on to get her CPA. The campus has a lot of new buildings and the school appears to be doing very well.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by billman5000

I graduated from Butler (eons ago), it's a decent school. It kills me to say it but Depauw has a slightly better reputation academically, e.g., it is more serious.

Butler is hopelessly Greek. Lot of people go there because it 'looks' like what people imagine Ivy League would look like.

If my family lived in Indy and I could afford it I'd go to Depauw...or get really serious and go to U of Chicago.

I couldn't in good consious send any of my children to the U of Chicago for undergrad. It's one of the finest academic institutions in the world, but you step 1 block out of the radius off the map that the Chicago Police Department gives to you at orientation, you could be killed. My money would be on Northwestern instead,for the Chicago area.

[bradjward]

Originally Posted by billman5000

Butler is hopelessly Greek.

Not really. Only 35% of Butler students are in the greek system. It's prominent, but not dominant.

teebird1012 - go to Butler University with any Butler-specific questions, you'll get the right information.

[gtrman]

I'm biased, because I have just accepted a teaching position at Butler, beginning in the Fall. I am leaving a large, state University to take this job. Butler seems extremely impressive. I can tell you from talking to administrators and my soon-to-be colleagues that there is a big emphasis on quality teaching. The students get a lot of attention, and the facilities are very nice. The students I met were bright, ambitious, and motivated.

It all depends on your field, but, if a student is interested in a broad-based, liberal arts education, I'd give Butler a big thumbs up. I don't have any knowledge of their programs outside the liberal arts, but I'm sure that everything they do is done well.

Good luck with your applications regardless of where you end up! It's nerve wracking, but your work will be worth it.

[teebird1012]

Thank you all for getting back to me! I'm just looking for a medium sized, good all- around liberal arts education for my undergrad and as of now (though I'm sure it will change a few more times), I'm hoping to pursue a degree in architecture. I'm currently taking an independent study at UK with an architecture professor and love every aspect of it.

[MissingIndiana]

I graduated from Butler with my undergraduate degree in 2005 and enjoyed my time there very much. Most professors generally seem to be interested in helping students and the quality of the education is very high. That being said, it is also very expensive. There are good academic scholarships provided, but you have to judge if $30,000 per year for tuition plus room and board is worth it for a "good all-around liberal arts education." If you change your mind about architecture and decide to major in pharmacy, however, I would highly recommend it.