Ronnie, Class of 2020

Ronnie is a freshman majoring in film and television with a concentration in directing in the College of Computing and Digital Media. He is from Elgin, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, and lives on campus.

How are you paying for tuition and expenses?

I am paying for tuition with a DePaul academic scholarship and a student loan. Also, I received a grant as part of the EDGE Program. My parents have a fund to pay the remaining balance of the tuition and on-campus housing. We also have a Ventra U-Pass through the university, so using the CTA for transportation doesn’t cost per use, and the CTA can get you most places you need to go. I saved up some money from my summer jobs to help pay for living expenses.

Why did you choose DePaul University?

I chose to attend DePaul based on the proximity to my hometown along with DePaul’s fantastic film program. DePaul has technical hands-on classes that give their students great insight for the career. They also offer their students the opportunity to use some of the current film industry’s best technology.

What do you hope to do after you graduate and what are some ways DePaul is helping you prepare for this?

I hope to move to Los Angeles or New York and make films and television shows that will unite the world. DePaul is helping me get there by teaching me the skills and know-how of a very technical profession. Some of the most beneficial classes are taught at a professional film studio called Cinespace. Technical classes in film and television production can be taken there. Other opportunities are offered, such as the LA Quarter, where students spend 10 weeks interning in Los Angeles while taking classes on a historic studio lot. This provides a unique and impressive experience as a film student.

From your point of view, what’s valuable about your student’s DePaul education that makes your investment worthwhile?

Ronnie’s family: Because DePaul tends to incorporate an ethical aspect into everything, it will put Ronnie ahead as far as real-world application and finding jobs. In the end, a student only gets out of a college what they put into it. Also, DePaul is close enough to home that it gives Ronnie a unique experience in the city and allows him to come home whenever he wants.