Adventures in Admission

Music and Arts at DU

There are so many ways to get involved on campus, whether that be through Living and Learning Communities, clubs, sports, or other programs... and for my artsy friends, you’ll have no trouble finding your group! Whether you’re interested in theatre, a specific instrument, singing, visual arts, dancing, or others, there is a club for you at DU.

To all my singers out there: DU has three a cappella groups!! While Lamont’s choirs sing some of the most beautiful music on campus, you don’t have to limit your voice to just choir classes. DU has two co-ed groups: DU Idiosingcrasies and Exit 205 (there is also an all-woman group, DU First Edition). As president of the DU Idiosingcrasies, I’m a little biased towards my group!

We also have an amazing theatre department at DU, and this has produced some awesome drama clubs! The most popular clubs for this are the University of Denver Drama Ensemble and Skintight Outrage. The DU Drama Ensemble (otherwise known as DUDE) hosts game nights, has workshops that focus on some theatre skill, and of course has auditions for quarterly performances. Skintight Outrage, on the other hand, is an improv and comedy group which holds several shows throughout the quarter. They are absolutely hilarious, and they’ll have your abs sore from laughter by the end of the night.

DU also has several dance groups. The first couple that come to mind are the Social Dance Society and the DU Dance Club. When I first came to DU, I joined the Social Dance Society and learned some basic steps of tango dancing. These clubs are a great way to get to know other people in the music/arts community on campus, and you also get a bit of a workout!

Other arts groups on campus include the DU Writers Club and the Tactile Art Community. In these clubs you can really get your creative juices flowing! Whether it’s sitting out on the green writing in a notebook, or using your fingers and hands to smudge paint abstractly across a canvas, you can rest assured that DU has a creative outlet for you!

What I’ve listed is just a portion of all the ways to get involved with the music and arts scene on campus. Visit https://www.du.edu/campus-life/arts-activities to learn more about music and arts at the University of Denver.

Toni Hinskton – Class of 2021; Major: Mathematics; Minors: Physics, Computer Science, and Business Analytics; Campus Involvement: Tour Guide, Math Center Tutor, Classroom Assistant and Grader for the Math Department, Researcher (Summer 2019), President of DU Idiosingcrasies (a Capella), Treasurer of DU Math Club, Peer Leader for Equity in STEM

10 DU Tips from a Graduated Senior

1. Go to your professor’s office hours!

Going to professor’s office hours can be intimidating, but they are here to help and support you. They are more than willing to help you with their class and grades usually improve when you go to office hours. Plus, it is a great way to form a relationship with your professor for recommendation letters that you might need later!

2. Find balance and take care of yourself.

Using a planner has been the best way for me to manage my schedule and balance my school, work, and social life. It is important to “schedule in” time for yourself – whether that’s taking a nap, working out, or spending time outdoors – make sure you leave time for yourself.

3. Apply to departmental scholarships.

Who doesn’t love free money?? Keep your GPA high!

4. Take advantage of all Denver has to offer!

Denver truly offers everything, from the city to the outdoors. There is always something fun to do, both on and off campus, and you will never be bored. Do everything you can!

5. 8 AMs

Be realistic - it’s important to learn during your first few quarters what hours of the day you are most productive and take advantage of that time. For me, I learned that 8am classes were not the best time for me. But almost everyone will suffer through an 8am at some point during college.

6. Join clubs!

Join every club that you are interested in and you will make friends with similar interests! Just don’t overwhelm yourself with too many things.

7. Always keep your resume up to date.

Making your resume can be time-consuming, but keeping it up to date is a lifesaver when applying for a job/graduate schools or preparing for an interview! Also use Career Services as much as possible because they want to help and can guide you through the process.

8. Never pass up free food.

Free food will always be the best food!

9. Going to the dining hall alone isn’t weird!

I remember the first time I went to the dining hall alone I thought I would be the only one sitting by myself. But that was not the case at all! If you are alone, you can make new friends or enjoy a peaceful meal by yourself. 

10. Make your own coffee

Buying coffee and tea everyday can get expensive. Save some money by making your own!

11. Have fun and enjoy every second – time really does fly!

First day of school freshman year at DU!

Last day at DU, senior year!

Ericka Boeger - Class of 2021; Majors: Integrated Sciences and Psychology; Minors: Biology, Medical Physics, and Leadership Studies; Campus involvement: Pioneer Leadership Program, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Undergraduate Research, Lead Tour Guide

Spring Has Sprung! How to Make the Most out of the Warm Weather

There is nothing students at DU love more than being able to spend as much time as possible outdoors. Once spring rolls around, we start getting beautiful warm and sunny weather. Colorado has 300 days of sunshine and DU students sure love to take advantage of that! Here are some of the best ways to spend your sunny days as a University of Denver student.

1. Hammocking!

The #1 BEST way to spend a sunny day is to hop into a hammock – no questions asked. There is nothing like getting together a couple of friends and snagging some of the outside hammock stands scattered all around DU’s campus to do homework, sunbathe, or just hang out.

        2. Have an outdoor picnic!

Food? Check. Blanket? Check. Good company? Check! Bring your favorite picnic blanket and foods and spread out on any of the many green spaces around campus. You can even grab lunch at the new Community Commons and hang out on the Carnegie Green right outside! Has a 100% satisfaction rate of a great way to spend an afternoon.

        3. Walk or bike to a nearby park!

There are many parks around DU’s campus; my personal favorite is Harvard Gulch Park which is about a 15-minute walk from campus. You can also take a longer walk or bike over to Washington Park, one of the prettiest places I’ve found in the Denver area. These are also some amazing spots to watch the sunset in the evening.

        4. Take your Zoom courses outdoors!

A great part about DU’s campus is that the Wi-Fi is great outside of most buildings, so why not make online learning a bit more exciting by doing it outside? Most buildings have picnic tables right outside of them where you can sit and log into your classes.  

        5. Take the light rail downtown!

The light rail, which is Denver’s mode of public transit, is the best way to get around the city, mostly because it is included with your DU tuition. Enjoy the warm weather by going downtown and visiting the 16^th Street Mall, Denver Central Market, Denver Botanic Gardens, or any of the countless other activities Denver has to offer.

Denver is a great and beautiful city with much to explore. We also happen to get excellent weather here, when we’re not covered in snow of course. So, take advantage of it! You will definitely have a great time taking in all that spring in Denver has to offer.

Samantha Kelly - Class of 2022; Majors: Mathematics and Environmental Science; Minors: Music; Involvement: Lamont Chorale, Administrative Assistant at the Newman Center, Campus tour guide, Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Honors Program, Association for Women in Mathematics

The Best Places on Campus to Enjoy Spring at DU!

Spring has sprung at the University of Denver! As the weather warms up and flowers begin to bloom around campus, spring is a great time to take in DU’s beautiful campus. Fun Fact: the University of Denver is also an arboretum, which allows for a beautiful collection of trees, plants, and flowers from around the world all blooming at once! Here are the best places to take in the beautiful spring weather at DU.

1 – The Fountains Behind Mary Reed

Mary Reed is one of the most notorious and beautiful places on DU’s campus. While most people recognize Mary Reed from the front side facing University Boulevard, the campus-facing side has spectacular fountains. With large grassy areas to hammock, picnic, or spend time with friends, this is a great location to enjoy the sunny spring weather!

My favorite memory here: Freshman year, a few people from my hall learned to play spike ball on the green near the fountains at Mary Reed. Over the course of a few hours, we ordered a few pizzas (from our favorite place, Blackjack Pizza), listened to everyone’s favorite playlist on Spotify, and talked about our favorite classes we were taking. This is a great place to spend time outside and get to know some new (or old!) friends.

2 – The Front Porch Outside the Anderson Academic Commons

The Anderson Academic Commons (AAC) offers many resources to students, but one of my favorite things about the building is its central location on campus! With a bunch of picnic tables outside the front of the building, AAC is a great place to study outside and enjoy the nice weather. Denver has amazing sunsets, and the AAC front porch is a great place to see all the colorful sunsets Colorado has to offer!

My favorite memory here: A great place to eat on campus is the Front Porch Café (they have the best flatbreads!) inside of AAC. Between classes when the weather is nice, a few friends and I will have lunch outside of the library to break up the school day. If you’re looking for an inexpensive and tasty snack, this central café is a great way to see the beautiful DU campus.

3 – The Pond Outside the Ritchie School of Engineering & Computer Science 

The pond outside of the Ritchie School of Engineering & Computer Science is one of the best places to spend time on campus! On the south side of DU, this is a great spot to spend time with friends and enjoy the soft sound of the small waterfalls going into the pond. There are always lots of DU students hanging around the pond between classes and enjoying Denver’s amazing weather.

My favorite memory here: My favorite club on campus, DUPB (DU Programming Board) hosts the annual May Days, a fun springtime event to celebrate the end of the academic year. During May Days, DUPB has a night full of food trucks which usually are hosted at the Ritchie pond. This is always a fun spot to eat amazing food with good company!

Elsa Deinema – Class of 2021; Major: History; Minor: Business Information & Analytics; Campus Involvement: Tour Guide, Learning Effectiveness Program Peer Tutor, Public Achievement Club President, Club and Intramural Ice Hockey

First-Year Must-Haves

When you come to a state and city like Denver, Colorado, there’s a ton of amazing opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy the weather all year-round! As a student from Richmond, Virginia, I learned there are a few things you may not expect when you come to Denver. So read on for my list of the things you absolutely must have in order to thrive here at DU!

1. Layers: Colorado may have 300 days of sunshine, but you never know when or for how long the sunlight will be around. Needless to say, when the weather can go from a blizzard one day to warm 60s and sunny the next, layers are a MUST. A wardrobe with range is key to surviving the odd months of winter. Additionally, do not underestimate how cold it can get in the mornings! With temps getting well below freezing, getting a good parka will make the trek to your 8am class much more bearable!
   
   
2. Hiking Boots: Whether you consider yourself an outdoorsy person or not, hiking boots are incredibly important for any DU student. Whether you use them for the weekends you spend hiking the many 14’ers here in CO or simply for walking through fresh snow and ice in the winters, a well-fitting pair is essential!
3. Digital Planner: Switching things to the more academic side, University life will take some getting used to. As I remember my parents would tell me ad nauseum, you will have both the most free time you’ve ever had while also having the most work and responsibilities. While I didn’t take them too seriously then, I learned the wisdom of what they were saying early from day one of Fall Quarter when I found myself juggling school, clubs, social life, exercise, meals, and everything in between. For the academic side of things, I started using a digital planner that allowed me to enter in all of the grade categories, assignments, readings, and deadlines my class syllabi outlines. This not only helped me figure out how to stay on track with classes, it also helped me to better manage my time.
4. To-Do Lists: One of the other ways I make sure I’m staying productive while still not overworking myself is through to-do lists. Every morning I start the day off by opening up Microsoft To-Do (it’s worth noting that the entire Microsoft Suite is included with your DU tuition) and coming up with what I want to get done for the day, and every night I check to make sure I didn’t forget anything. This has been a massive help for me as I find I have way more time to do what I want to do when I am systematic and organized with taking care of the things I need to do everyday. Plus, when you write out what you have to do for the day and then start checking things off, it feels so rewarding and helps you relax!
5. An Open Mind: Okay, here’s the corny thing you need when you enter college. Since this will be a brand new chapter in your life and you will grow in so many ways during your time here at DU, it’s important to keep an open mind. Some of the best experiences I’ve had at DU are things I never would have considered doing before coming here. For example, I was never a big sports fan, but decided to go along to the Hockey Campout my freshman year to get season-passes to the games. This ended up being one of my favorite experiences from my first year as the friends I met that long and cold night/morning are friends I still cherish to this day. Even though I didn’t end up going to many of the games until my sophomore year (and let me tell you, that was a great time in and of itself), the experience of getting my tickets was worth the work. Furthermore, you will be learning so much about so many new things in your classes and from your friends. In order to really get a well-rounded understanding of the fields and topics you’re passionate about, it is incredibly important to be open to new perspectives and experiences. That’s it though, corny speech over!

All in all, the years you spend in University will be some whirlwind of new experiences. They will bring some of the biggest challenges you’ve ever faced, but also some pretty amazing experiences. So make sure to have perspective on the overall experience - there will be ups and downs, stressful times and fun times, and throughout it all you will be growing into the person you choose to become! (But seriously, the weather is all over the place here, wear your layers :) )

Brennden Prohaska - Class of 2022; Major: International Studies; Minors: Political Science, Socio-Legal Studies, Chinese, Business Ethics and Legal Studies

How to Go from Broke to Woke: 5 money-saving, sustainable tips for college students

Looking for ways to make some extra cash or cut down on expenses? Don’t have time to take on another job? Or do you simply want to live more sustainably? Whatever the case, here are some tried and true ways to go from broke to woke.

• Buy second-hand

Not only is second-hand shopping money-saving, it’s also sustainable. Every item you buy second-hand is one less item you’re buying from the fast fashion industry. Not to mention, thrifting is a great way to get creative with your wardrobe and still be on trend. I’ve found vintage t-shirts for as little as $2 and Levi’s as cheap as $8! Talk about a win-win for yourself and the environment.

• Sell your clothes

Along the same lines as buying second-hand, take a day to clean out your closet. Chances are, there are at least a handful of items you haven’t worn in forever (or forgot that you owned). Why let them sit and take up your precious space? Sell them! Online platforms like Poshmark or Depop are great for this. Or you can take your clothes to a place like Plato’s Closet or Buffalo Exchange and get paid cash on the spot.

If there are any items that you’re struggling to sell, donate them. Then they’ll be going to a good cause.

• Learn to cook

This is perhaps the #1 way I’ve been able to manage my expenses. Why spend $8 on a Birdcall chicken sandwich when you can spend $8 on 4 fresh chicken breasts and cook them to your liking? That’s at least 4 meals right there. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also be in better control of what food you’re putting into your body.

Better yet, get into meal prepping. Save money and time. Store the leftovers in your fridge for a convenient meal later in the week, and reduce food waste by purchasing only what you need for your week’s meals.

• Opt for drip coffee + bring your own cup

Don’t get me wrong. As a barista, I understand the appeal of coffee shops and the luxury of sipping a perfectly crafted latte. But if you’re buying a $5 drink every time you visit a coffee shop, those expenses are adding up.

Next time you grab coffee with a friend or sit down in a cafe to do some work, get a drip coffee instead. This will save you money in the long run. To add an element of sustainability, bring your own cup. Some coffee shops even offer a discount for doing so!

• Cut down on utilities

The less electricity, water, and heat we use, the better for the earth and the better for our bank accounts. Take shorter showers, turn down the heat and sleep with an extra blanket, or unplug any devices you’re not currently using. Again, these small steps add up to a great deal of difference.

Give these tips a try, and in doing so, you’ll help out both Mother Nature and yourself!

Erika Peterson - Class of 2022; Major: Hospitality Management; Minor: Psychology; Involvement: Delta Sigma Pi, Beans barista, tour guide, cooking club president, Daniels Ambassador Team

Spring Break Wishes

Can I write an entire blog without thinking about food? No! Can I write a blog without writing about food? Inconclusive.

Did you know DU students are on Spring Break from March 16 – 31? Since our academic calendar is on the quarter system, our students have ended their winter quarter classes and have not started their spring quarter yet. This means no homework, group projects, research projects, or any assignments for this glorious moment in March.

Spring in Denver is my favorite season. Although I am traditionally an avid indoorsman, I am ready to get outside and break my own Zoom room routine. Aladdin got three wishes from the Genie, and I am going to make my three wishes for the spring.

Wish #1 – Go to an adventure park

The City of Denver has over 5,000 acres of public parks. Washington Park and Observatory Park are great options near DU. However, to break the routine, my wish is to get to zipline in Castle Rock or go tubing in the Frisco Adventure Park.

Wish #2 – Go to a spring concert

I enjoy music and love a good concert, but I don’t make it out much. Well, spring 2021 is my time! Denver has plenty of amazing concert venues, but I will be looking for an outdoor show for social distancing.

Colorado’s own Kayla Rae in concert in 2020

Wish #3 – Go to an outdoor sporting event

The Colorado Rockies opening day is only days away, and I hope to catch a game this spring. As a proud DU alumnus, my wish is to catch a DU lacrosse game with my family.

Women's and Men's DU home games are played on campus at the Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.

I have run out of wishes and I am still thinking about food. I’m going to check out Jackie’s blog entry.

Let’s make your wishes come true at DU!

Roderick Rose – Director of Diversity Enrollment and Community Partnerships

Pride at DU: LGBTQ+ Identity and Support

Going to university is about learning new things and preparing for a future career, but it is also about discovering who you are independent of your parents, growing in your identity, and finding your place in the world. For LGBTQ+ students, selecting a place to study can be tricky. In general, things are better now for LGBTQ+ students than they were even a decade ago, but some things remain the same: students are looking for a place where they can be themselves, be safe, and be supported.

At DU, we take pride (pun intended) in how we support LGTBQ+ students wherever they are in their coming out journey, and even if coming out isn’t in their plans. The office of Gender & Sexuality, located within The Cultural Center, is the home base for queer student support, resources, social events and numerous student organizations across the university. DU students and staff work together to co-create an LGBTQ+ inclusive campus community that welcomes all who identify under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. From weekly family dinners to support for navigating being out in the workforce, the DU community is here to support you every step of the way!

(Photo Credit: The Center on Colfax)

Off campus, there are lots of ways to get connected to the LGBTQ+ community in Denver. In addition to an active nightlife scene, Denver has a vibrant LGBTQ+ center (called The Center on Colfax) that hosts events, support groups, and resources for the community. The Center is the primary host of the annual Denver Pride festival (PrideFest), a jovial festival and parade that is the highlight of the summer for the community. This year PrideFest will be virtual due to the pandemic, so you can explore the festivities from your own home! There are also many organizations in the city that offer support services like mental health counseling, free HIV testing, and access to PREP (for example, Denver Element).

On and off campus, Denver is a great place to expand your horizons and grow in all of your identities. We are excited to welcome you to our family!

Jacob Wooden - Associate Director, International Student Admission

Favorite Places for Food in Denver!

As someone who grew up in the mountains not far from Denver, and now as a DU student for three years, I have discovered quite a few wonderful spots in and near the city that are worth checking out! Here, I thought I would list a few of my absolute favorite places I have discovered so far.

First up, I am a huge tea person, and prefer a nicely brewed black tea over coffee any day of the week. As a result, I have found a few places near DU to go along with that preference. The picture below is from a place in downtown Littleton called InTea. This shop has an entire wall completely filled with interesting teas to try, as well as some other drinks, wonderful pastries, and a very nice interior that is great for studying! This particular shop is far enough away from DU that you likely need to drive, but there is another place even closer to DU called Capital Tea that also has some wonderful drinks to try.

Next, most students are big fans of pizza, and I am certainly no exception to that rule. Many friends of mine love to go to a place called Sexy Pizza not far away from campus, a place that I also enjoy. However, one of my favorite cheap places to get a nice pizza is a restaurant called Pizzeria Locale, which makes personal pizzas at a very affordable price in a Chipotle-style make-your-own format. For the simplicity of the place, the pizzas are consistently quite good for anyone who likes the wood-fired style!

Denver is also full of new, experimental restaurants, and my favorite amongst these is probably Avanti Food Hall in the LoHi neighborhood. This place is on the north side of downtown and not right next to campus, but it is certainly worth the trip. Avanti is a really interesting collection of different food options from all over the world, and very likely has something to satisfy anyone in a big group! They also have a huge rooftop patio that looks out on downtown, which is very beautiful at night. This is a fun bubble waffle dessert that I got at Avanti a little while ago:

Finally, in terms of fancier places to eat out, nearby Sushi Den gets hyped up by many people for good reason. I also really enjoy La Chiva, a Colombian restaurant not far from campus that offers some interesting food I had never experienced before. Last but not least, I will always recommend Linger, an experimental sort of restaurant also in LoHi that is possibly my favorite in the city. I hope you may have learned about a new place or several from this list, and possibly even give one a try!

Jackie Hahn - Dual degree student: Bachelor's in International Studies (minors in Spanish, Public Policy, and Business Administration), Master's in Global Finance, Trade, and Economic Integration; Campus involvement: Research Assistant at the Pardee Center for International Futures, Alpha Phi sorority, CIFTE (a graduate group for people obtaining my specific master's degree)

Oh no! My college is assigning a random roommate!

When you talk to people the summer before they start college, everyone always asks the same question: do you know who your roommate is yet? Students talk in panic about being assigned a random roommate and recount every nightmare roommate story they have ever heard. After being assigned two random roommates, I consider myself well-versed in the roommate experience at DU and I highly recommend it.

There are many ways to go about finding housing at DU. Your freshman year you have the option to choose a roommate you already know you want to live with, you can find a roommate through DU’s roommate matching service which I would describe as online dating for roommates, or you can leave it completely up to chance and let the university match you randomly.

I chose to be a member of a Living and Learning Community my freshman year, which meant I lived with a defined group of students I also took a class with. As a result, I did not get to choose between the three ways of finding a roommate - my only option was having a random roommate. So I filled out my quick survey of living habits (I am relatively neat, go to bed late and wake up late, prefer a quiet study environment, etc.) and waited for my assignment.

My freshman year roommate and I could not have been more different, or better matched as roommates. She is from the Midwest, in a sorority, and in the business school. I am from the Pacific Northwest, have never had any interest in Greek life (preferring to spend my time lifting weights at the gym or finding a new club to join), and focus my studies on the humanities. When I first started learning about my roommate, I was sure we would have nothing in common, but we got along incredibly well. We found we liked the same Latin pop music and went to see one of our favorite artists in concert. We love exploring together, and she was the one who motivated me to go on my first ski trip. We struggled through the lesson together! Coming home to talk about our days, having someone to chat with in Spanish, and connecting with someone who is different from me in so many ways was one of the best parts of my freshman year.

When it came around to applying for housing my sophomore year, I did not think I would have a random roommate again. My friends were planning to get a room all together, but the world had other plans for 2020. After spending fall quarter away from campus, I applied for housing to return winter quarter and found myself again waiting anxiously to find out about my random roommate.

Once again, my roommate and I are biographically quite different. She loves anime, video games, and wearing all black. I have never watched anime or played a video game and I love light colors, sunlight, and plants. The contrast between our two sides of the room is dramatic. In spite of all of this we are both psychology majors and are in the same statistics class. Having someone nearby to explain the concepts has made that class so much easier. We still find things to talk about, and maybe one day I will sit down and see what I think of anime.

While not every roommate experience is positive, I have appreciated having a random roommate as a way to form a connection with someone I normally would not have had a chance to meet. I encourage every potential DU student to get excited rather than scared at the prospect of a random roommate!

Ailis Shank-Root - Class of 2023; Majors: Psychology and Spanish; Minor: Public Policy; Activities: Club Women’s Rugby, Do Better DU, work-study with DU Psychology Department, Team Member at Beans Coffee Shop