Adventures in Admission

Shaping my DU Community

Back when I was starting my first year at DU, the thought of being a college student was both daunting and exhilarating, so needless to say I was anxious about several things. For one, I am a first-generation college student and although my parents have supported me in more ways than I could count, I always felt alone when it came to things related to college. Most of my energy went into figuring out how I would navigate this new experience while trying to make new connections. Thankfully, there were certain parts of DU that made this transition a little easier for me.

I would say that the first thing that comes to mind when I think about what has made the biggest impact on my college life so far would have to be becoming a member of E-STEM. When I applied before my first year began, I never expected this program would help me in the ways that it did. Not only do I get massive amounts of support from the advisors and coordinators but I was also able to be a part of the wonderful E-STEM community. In fact, most of the people that I look towards for guidance or reassurance happen to be a part of this transition program, and for that, I couldn’t be more thankful.

I also happen to come from a very small, conservative town in Colorado, so needless to say growing up as a Muslim, South Asian was incredibly difficult. There was no one that looked like me and no one that related to my individual experiences. So, coming to DU and becoming a part of the Muslim Student Association has been an exciting aspect of my journey so far. Having the opportunity to meet other Muslims on campus and relate to them has been refreshing and definitely one of my DU highlights. AND! I also won a ticket to Hasan Minhaj’s show, King’s Jester, by winning the MSA scavenger hunt, which is just another amazing perk of becoming a member!

Although there are so many other ways I have built a community at DU, these two just happen to be the highlights, but I know there are so many more adventures to come!

Sameha Haque - Grad year: 2023; Majors: Biology and Political Science; Minors: Sociology and Writing Practices; Clubs: E-STEM, HerCampus, MSA

Golfing in Denver

Colorado is known for its abundant access to outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and biking. Many students at the University of Denver participate in these activities either on their own or with clubs on-campus such as the Alpine Club and Backpacking Club.

For those that might not be heading to the mountains every weekend, there is plenty to do in Denver. For me, I like to play golf. Denver is an underrated city to play the game. The City of Denver manages a number of courses for students to go play. A few nearby campuses that students like going to are Harvard Gulch and Wellshire. Harvard Gulch provides a fun and laid-back atmosphere for students to get into the game or have an easy round of golf. This par-3, nine hole course is located southwest of campus which makes it easy for students to get there, as well.

Wellshire Golf Course is one of my favorite courses to play in Denver. This course is meant for any level of golfer. Rolling hills and tree-lined fairways make it a beautiful walk, as well. In playing the course, I’ve found that it allows me to make different decisions around the placement of my shots due to the layout of some of the holes. It also provides open fairways for the beginner golfer who might need more space. A fun fact about Wellshire is that it is the only public course designed by Donald Ross that is open to the public west of the Mississippi, so I feel a part of history each time I play.

Furthermore, the University of Denver has its own course that is available to DU community members located in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. This semi-private course does provide a good challenge for many golfers. Many holes require precise shots as there is not much room for errant shots. DU’s course also provides a large practice area if you can’t play a full round, but want to work on your game.

Golf for students at DU is a great way to connect with fellow students and enjoy a few hours in the sun. This just shows one of the many ways you can get out into Denver and explore during your time at the University of Denver.

Lawson Montgomery - Grad Year: 2022; Major: International Studies; Minors: Marketing and Sustainability; Orgs: FSL (Delta Chi)

A Day in the Park

As you’ve probably heard many times already, the city of Denver offers a perfect blend of an urban and outdoor setting. For those of us who don’t spend every weekend skiing in the mountains, Denver provides opportunities to enjoy the outdoors right here in the city itself. 

Denver’s public parks are a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon, or any time of the week for that matter. My personal favorite is Washington (Wash) Park, which is only two miles from DU’s campus. Wash Park is the perfect spot for a morning jog or weekend picnic, and with Colorado’s 300 days of sunshine, the park is a fun and inexpensive way to spend your free time throughout the entire year.

You can find everything from fishing to roller skating to an endless amount of dog walkers at Wash Park. My personal favorite activities include grabbing coffee with a friend beforehand and taking a walk around the park’s loop, or bringing a blanket to sit on to spend a weekend day reading or painting. 

The park is beautiful year-round, with gorgeous white blossoms covering the trees in the spring and red and yellow leaves peppering the shores of the ponds in the middle of the park in autumn. If you find yourself in Denver over the summer, rent a pedal boat at the park to spend the day in the water.

I can’t encourage the use of Denver’s public parks enough. The next time you’re in Denver, grab a chai latte from Wash Perk, located only a few blocks from Wash Park, and take a stroll around the greenery, flowers and water features the park has to offer. It’s by far the best way to wind down after a stressful week of classes. 

Ambriel Speagle - Sophomore, Majoring in Journalism with minors in International Studies and History, Copy Editor and Writer for the DU Clarion newspaper, Tour Guide with Undergraduate Admission

DUURJ: Spotlighting Student’s Achievements

A little over two years ago, the first issue of DUURJ - the DU Undergraduate Research Journal - was published. Under its glossy cover, it contained dozens of research papers that showcased research done by DU’s very own undergraduate students. DUURJ started off with just a few students who were committed to giving students a place to publish their research. Now over fifteen students meet each week to edit and prepare the papers for the next issue. I got involved with this club my freshman year, primarily because of my interest in doing research during my four years at DU. Last year, I was able to participate in editing several papers that went on to be included in the two issues the club published last year. It was rewarding to be able to give students the chance to publish their work, a major step in any research process.

One of the reasons I chose DU was because of its opportunities for undergraduates to complete research. In most universities students must wait until they are graduate students for professors to even consider them. However, DU not only encourages their students to engage in research projects, but also gives them opportunities to get their work published in a legitimate journal. DUURJ provides students with this opportunity. I love being a part of DUURJ’s process. I get to see firsthand all the work being done by students on campus. We publish papers from all disciplines, not just STEM. In fact, we frequently receive phenomenal papers from our humanities department and the business school. We even published a piece of original musical composition in our last issue. This journal provides space for any and all undergraduate research. I am looking forward to working on Volume 3 of DU’s Undergraduate Research Journal this year.

Madison Sinar – Class of 2024; Molecular Biology major; Chemistry minor, Spanish minor, Leadership Minor; Clubs/Organizations: Club Equestrian team, DUURJ, Campus Ambassadors, Young Life

Professional Sports Teams in Denver

When people think of Denver, they often think of hiking trips, skiing, and any outdoor activities in between. However, the proximity of DU to Downtown Denver gives students access to many other entertainment venues. Restaurants, shows, and concerts are all popular. With this being said, one aspect of Denver that is often overlooked is the professional sports scene.

Having grown up in Colorado, I am a fan of Denver’s four major sports teams. The Colorado Rockies baseball team, the Denver Broncos football team, the Denver Nuggets basketball team, and the Colorado Avalanche hockey team. While I was aware of these teams before arriving at DU, many people are not.

The Nuggets recently went to the Western Conference finals in 2020 and the Avalanche have consistently made the playoffs for several years. The Broncos won Super Bowl 50 in 2015 and are in the process of building into a contender once again. While the Rockies have struggled, they play in one of the most beautiful venues in the country, Coors Field, and the environment is always fun.

Students can take full advantage of the professional sports venues in Denver utilizing the RTD pass that they receive upon arrival. Ball Arena, home of the Nuggets and Avalanche, is just three light rail stops away from campus, and students can arrive at the Broncos Stadium or Coors Field in about 15 minutes. All these world class stadiums and experiences are accessible to DU students. Whether they want to begin supporting the Denver teams, or just see their hometown team in person, these professional sports venues offer a great opportunity for students to experience being a fan in the Mile High City.

At the end of last year, I was able to attend two Rockies games with some of my friends. It was a great environment to be a part of and something I would definitely recommend for all students. The atmosphere and buzz in the stadium are unmatched and if nothing else you can enjoy views of the Denver skyline and mountains from your seats. Another opportunity I had was to attend two soccer games at the Broncos stadium. I was able to see the United States Men’s National Team and the Mexico Men’s National Team play, which was a crazy experience and something I had always wanted to see. It was fun to go to the game with my friends and share those exciting moments with everyone in the stadium.

I love the professional sports culture in Denver and cannot wait to get out to more games this school year!

Vincent Pandey - Class of 2024; from Westminster, CO; majoring in International Studies with a minor in Leadership through the Pioneer Leadership Program; member of Club Tennis Team, Model UN, and Honors Program

DU, Denver, and the Pandemic

Masks. No masks. Restaurants are open. Restaurants are closed. Restaurants are kind of open. There’s a vaccine. Now there’s a delta variant. Everything is fine—wait, now panic! With so much uncertainty in the world right now and with the COVID-19 pandemic an ever-changing situation, it can be challenging to feel settled. It is hard enough to live everyday life, much less think about going to college and moving to a new place in the middle of a global pandemic! As someone who transferred to the University of Denver from outside the United States last year amid the craziness, I can tell you I survived and it is possible, but there were a lot of factors which made my experience easier. There were several support systems at DU which were super helpful for my transition, and I also found that Denver as a city was a great location to be in. So, I wanted to highlight a few reasons why DU (and Denver) are great places to be in a pandemic.

1. Academic support

Coming to DU with an international transcript, I was worried about how my credits would transfer over and if I would be able to graduate on time. After my transcript was sent to DU, professors from several different disciplines met with me to go over how my credits transferred over in their respective departments and classes they recommended I take. Professor Fogleman was especially helpful, spending over an hour with me on Zoom going through all 48 of my biology transfer credits (which is equivalent to about 12 classes) and equating each credit as closely as possible to the DU curriculum so the transition would be easier for me. Academic advising on campus has also been an amazing resource. I decided I wanted to pick up a marketing minor but wasn’t sure if it was possible halfway through my junior year and having never taken a business course in college. I met with academic advising, and they helped me figure out a schedule where I could not only add the minor, but graduate a quarter early! I am grateful for the academic support I have received to help me transition to DU and pursue a variety of academic interests.

2. COVID-19 support on campus

As important as education is, the number one priority is student’s health and safety. Being on a college campus may raise concerns about this and the possibilities of COVID-19 outbreaks. DU has put in place several measures to keep the community safe and monitor cases of the disease on campus. Some of these have included requiring vaccination, setting up spit testing on campus and regular testing schedules for students to measure campus positivity rates (where results usually come back within 24 hours), a COVID-19 dashboard summarizing case data on campus and in the Denver community, contact tracing, and emails with information on mental health resources. This has allowed DU to offer events and classes in person and adjust guidelines based on the prevalence of COVID-19 cases on campus and in the Denver community.

3. Nature!

As almost anyone in Denver will tell you, there are so many ways to get outdoors here. We’ve got everything: hiking and backpacking, climbing, mountain biking, river rafting, skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling… Nature has become a sanctuary during the pandemic since outdoor activities are some of the lowest risk for COVID-19 transmission, and most of them are lockdown proof! Even at the worst parts of the pandemic when everything was pretty much locked down, there was still the gorgeous scenery around Denver to walk around and get fresh air. No matter the current circumstances of the pandemic, the outdoors will always be there for you and provide fun opportunities! Check out some of the great blog posts about things to do to get outdoors in Denver for specific recommendations. There’s a reason it’s such a popular topic among the team.

4. Community

As cliche as it may be, it’s true that there is a kind and supportive community on campus. At DU, there are people looking out for your physical and mental health and wellbeing just as much as your academic success. Being a part of a community where everyone is looking out for each other is a reminder that you aren’t going through this alone. Hopefully soon we won’t have to worry about the impacts of the pandemic, but a lot of the benefits of being here in these difficult times are always present in the community. Take advantage of what Denver and DU have to offer you!

Chelsea Edgar - Class of 2022; Biology major, Marketing minor; Clubs/organizations: Fraternity and Sorority Life (Gamma Phi Beta), Alpine club, Catholic Student Fellowship

Can You Handle The Altitude?

My feet pound against the pavement as my heart races... I can smell the end of summer as fall quickly approaches, and I reach the end of my run thankful for all the beautiful places close to campus. While I’ve been an amateur runner for most of my teenage years, I felt nervous about starting to run in Denver. First, was it safe to run around campus? Are there many different routes to try? Most importantly, would I be able to handle the altitude?

I’m from Hillsboro, Oregon (elevation 137’), so there was not much to be done about getting used to the Mile High City - I usually just have to tough out the huffing and puffing for the first few times. But when I arrived on campus I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of safe, nearby areas to run. Living in Centennial Towers for my first year, I began to treasure my runs at Washington Park (photo below.) There are lots of families and other runners, so I always felt safe running during the day. Additionally, there are many routes within the park, so I never felt bored.

Yet, there are many more areas to try around DU. As a Nelson resident I now love Harvard Gulch Park, and running in the neighborhoods on the west side of campus. I feel that I’ve only seen a fraction of what the University Park neighborhood has to offer DU runners, and I can’t wait to continue to explore!

Paige Barber - Class of 2024, from Hillsboro, OR; majoring in International Studies and Psychology with a minor in Leadership through the Pioneer Leadership Program, Cru Club President, Honors Program.

DU Computer Science Club

Hi folks! My name is Izzy and I am currently a 4^th year student at the University of Denver majoring in English with a triple minor in Japanese, Leadership, and Film Studies. There are many things at DU that have made the last three years unforgettable, but without a doubt, student organizations have been one of my favorite places to make lifelong connections with peers.

I have attended many throughout my time at DU, some favorites being Board Game Club, Creative Writing Club, and Japanese Conversation Table, all things relatively in line with my interests and fields of study. However, the one I did not expect to love as much as I do is the DU Computer Science Club.

This student organization allows people to bond over a love of computers, gaming, and web design, whether a part of the Computer Science major or not. I have been attending events thrown by the club since I came to DU and have made great friends I might have not met through classes or otherwise—even my roommate!

The club, like several at DU, is a non-regular meeting, so it’s a great way to meet people and attend fun events without having to stick to the commitment of a weekly meeting. The events can be based around various things - some of them academic  - providing an additional resource and study tools for those taking Computer Science classes, those wanting professional experience, in order to get practice building tech-oriented resumes or networking events to meet actual Computer Scientists in the field, and my personal favorite—social, geared towards fostering communities on the DU campus.

During this year’s orientation week, I was lucky enough to attend one of the club’s most popular traditions, the DUCS Microsoft Paint with Bob Ross night. Club members and guests to the event bring their laptop or device, and virtually paint along with one of the most well-known educational artists.

These are some examples of the paintings done by eventgoers, shared by the club.

If you love tech, learning, virtual painting, and making good friends, give the DU Computer Science Club a shot!

Izzy Eagan - Class of 2022

Weekend Trips

School can be hectic at times, so finding adventures to do on the weekends with my friends is something that I enjoy quite a bit. I think one of the greatest parts about being in Denver, Colorado is the sights to see and the amazing hikes it has to offer. Since being here, I have found beautiful landscapes, gorgeous scenery, and top-notch people to adventure with. The two most amazing spots I have visited are Boulder Canyon Trail in Boulder, Colorado and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

To start, there are plenty of hiking trails to visit on the weekend, but my favorite is Boulder, specifically Boulder Canyon Trail. It was such a nice break, in the middle of quarter, to just admire the nature Colorado has to offer. There are many trails to choose from, so if you want something easy, they have that! If you are looking for something more challenging, they have that as well! On top of the hikes, the weather in Colorado is also to die for. Before coming here, people always told me that Denver gets 300 days of sunshine. I did not believe it until I lived it. The weather is such a plus and the sun is almost always shining.

So, if you are looking for a hike to do with your friends over the weekend, go to Boulder to witness the beauty of the Boulder Canyon Trail.

Hiking is not for everyone, so I don’t expect everyone to want to do that; however, if you still want to see a beautiful place without the hiking aspect, I recommend going to Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It is a 30 minute drive from campus, but is totally worth it.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is home to one of the prettiest concert venues I have ever been to, but you don’t even have to see a concert to enjoy your time. They provide one of the most magnificent sunsets and sunrises that I have ever seen. I feel like this is the perfect place to just clear your mind and enjoy the moment.

Like I mentioned before, I am from Ohio, so we don’t have pretty places to sightsee. One of the biggest pros to Denver, Colorado is the environment. The places to visit on weekends are endless. I truly just love being here because of the locations, weather, and people. Denver, Colorado is amazing and, in my opinion, everyone should come here to witness the beauty!

Brett Semelsberger - from Cleveland, Ohio; sophomore majoring in computer science and sociology with minors in Russian and astrophysics; on campus, I am a tour guide for Team 1864 and an orientation leader.

Take the Road Less Traveled in CO

To be completely honest, I’m not much of a city person. Having grown up in the Silicon Valley, I was ready to leave big city life behind when I went off to college. What drew me to DU, even though it is near a city, was its proximity to nature. You don’t have to go very far from campus to forget that Downtown Denver is only a couple lightrail stops away. There are a bunch of parks only a short walk or lightrail ride away. Park picnics with friends is always a fun thing to do on a sunny day.

For those willing to go farther from campus, the Rocky Mountains are home to a plethora of fun outdoor activities. If you haven’t spent much time in the mountains, hiking is one of the easiest things to get into. All you really need is a good pair of tennis shoes, water, and a can do attitude. Eventually hiking a 14er (a mountain peak over 14,000 ft) is a great bucket list item.

A great place to hike close to campus is in Evergreen. It’s only 30 minutes from campus and is home to many state parks that have trails of varying difficulty. I took my friends who had never hiked before to Alderfer Three Sisters Park, and we were able to see amazing views from a beginner-friendly trail. If you are willing to drive farther, Rocky Mountain National Park is only an hour and a half away, and you have a high chance of seeing wildlife there. When my friends and I hiked a trail, we were greeted by a very friendly chipmunk.

If hiking isn’t your thing, but you still want to get out of the city, there are so many beautiful, scenic drives just off I-70. Colorado is filled with scenic byways if you are willing to take the time to turn off the main freeway. My friends and I enjoy finding backroads to take and enjoy the peace and scenery of these less travelled roads. If you are going to drive through the Eisenhower Tunnel, for example, try taking Loveland Pass if you have the time. It only adds about 30 minutes to the drive and the views are so worth it. You even get to drive past the Continental Divide.

One of my favourite drives is state highway 103, which takes you up to Mt. Evans on one of the highest paved roads in America. While Mt. Evans Road itself is closed during most of the school year, 103 remains open and takes you past several lakes and breathtaking views of the Rockies. It is also super close to Denver and can be done in under three hours. If you decide to go during the evening, you can get beautiful sights of the sun setting over the mountains. 

Isabel Munoz- Class of 2024; Undeclared Humanities Major; Campus Involvement: Fraternity and Sorority Life, Honors Program