Connor, Class of 2020
Connor is a freshman majoring in psychology in the College of Science and Health. He comes to DePaul from Katy, Texas, and lives on campus.
How are you paying for tuition and expenses?
Two different DePaul grants, the DePaul Scholars’ Award scholarship, two federal direct loans—one subsidized and one unsubsidized. I’m also part of the EDGE Program, which is an internship program that you can apply for as a freshman and provides a tuition grant. Lastly, my parents contribute to help cover the rest of the expenses.
Why did you choose DePaul University?
I chose to attend DePaul because I felt like going to school in a brand-new environment would be part of the whole college experience. I first heard about DePaul from a family friend who had a son who went here. The thought of going to school in the city of Chicago was very alluring, and once I came and toured the school during my senior year of high school, I knew that I wanted to come here. DePaul’s two campuses manage to perfectly balance the hustle and bustle of city life with a more quaint and safe neighborhood feel.
What do you hope to do after you graduate, and what are some ways DePaul is helping you prepare for this?
To be honest, I’m not entirely set on what I want to do yet. I have thought about entering the psychological research field after college, however. Hopefully, by the end of my college experience, I’ll have made some valuable connections within DePaul and the city of Chicago that will help me transition into the professional world.
From your point of view, what’s valuable about your student’s DePaul education that makes your investment worthwhile?
Connor’s father: I was glad Connor selected DePaul for several reasons. I am a proponent of moving away from home during college. It would allow Connor to broaden his experiences, living in the heart of a large city and being exposed to people that come from different backgrounds/cultures and may hold different beliefs than his own. For the most part, we considered Catholic-affiliated universities. We felt it important to keep grounded in our religious beliefs. Coming from Houston, Texas, it would also be nice for him to experience the four seasons.
Connor was fortunate to get accepted into DePaul’s EDGE Program. Not only has it helped with the cost of attending DePaul, but it has allowed Connor the opportunity to start thinking about life after college—free to experiment and hone his skills that will be valuable in any future career.