University of Denver: Encyclopedia II - University of Denver - Student body and academics

University of Denver - Student body and academics

Historically known as a school with an affluent, upper-middle class student body, with about 60 percent of the students coming from Colorado and the other 40 percent coming from primarily the East Coast, the West Coast, the Midwest, and foreign countries, DU has been transforming itself from its former undergraduate reputation as a "ski school" into a much more dynamic institution that combines small classes with university level resources, all in a young, vibrant and beautiful area of the United States.

The experiential learning components of all the classes at DU gives students the chance to excel beyond book knowledge. Believing firmly in the value of an experience abroad, the Cherrington Global Scholars program offers every undergraduate the chance to study abroad at no cost above normal DU tuition, room and board. The Honors program at DU, under the direction of Professor Todd Breyfogle, provides bright minds a refuge of conversation and advanced courses.

The art and music scene of DU is currently on the rise due to the recent construction of the Newman Center Performing Arts Center. This building houses both the Lamont School of Music and the DU Theatre Department. The Lamont School of Music is a structured conservatory setting which allows students to focus on their talents in a competitive manner. The theatre department, reestablished in 1985, is currently being transformed into a nationally competetive theatre school. Recently, their show "Henry the VI part iii" was selected as one of the best in the region and is in consideration for national recognition.

Recently, the University of Denver Sturm College of Law has also undergone an internal renaissance, consolidating its position as the preeminent law school in the Rocky Mountain Region. In 2003, the University of Denver ATLA trial team won the national championship in New Orleans, taking Harvard's title from the previous year.

Denver is one of the only schools in the US that personally interviews every undergraduate applicant (with interviews in more than 25 cities per year), ensuring that most accepted students will find that the University is very interested in the person, not just the applicant's credentials. The Hyde interview is named after an influential DU professor, Ammi Hyde, and most students describe the process as insightful rather than painful, so the interview should not be considered a deterrant for prospective students who are nervous that they will not perform well. Further information can be found at the Ammi Hyde interview page.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Student body and academics", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki