Frequently Asked Questions: Finding Your Path at DePauw

DePauw is a private liberal arts university in Greencastle, Indiana, founded in 1837. Its unique three-school framework combines the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Leadership and Creative School in one undergraduate institution.

"Everyone in this community wants to be here. This isn’t a place where people show up to fly under the radar... It’s a place you choose, and a place you keep choosing... every day." — Peyton R. '26

DePauw is a private, undergraduate-focused liberal arts university. It does not offer graduate programs. Small class sizes, faculty mentorship and broad curriculum define the academic experience.

"The liberal arts education is about learning how to look at problems from many different angles and learning how to apply myself in ways that I didn't previously realize I could." — Ethan W. '26

DePauw University is in Greencastle, Indiana, approximately 45 miles and a 45-minute drive west of Indianapolis. Students have easy access to internships, cultural events and career opportunities in a major metro area.

DePauw enrolls approximately 1,900 undergraduates. The student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1, and the average class size is 17. Students are taught by professors, not graduate assistants.

Yes. DePauw University is a member of the Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) consortium, recognized for transformative educational impact and strong outcomes relative to cost.

DePauw competes in NCAA Division III as a member of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). No athletic scholarships are offered; student-athletes fully participate in academics and campus life.

"I wanted to go somewhere where I could prioritize my academics over my athletics. I didn’t want swimming to be my whole life for four years." — Priscilla S. '29

Yes. DePauw is test-optional. Submitting or not submitting SAT or ACT scores does not disadvantage applicants. Admissions review emphasizes GPA, course rigor, essays and recommendations.

The average GPA of admitted students is approximately 3.7 to 3.97 unweighted. Strong performance in rigorous coursework is valued. DePauw uses holistic review alongside GPA.

Yes, DePauw offers Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Early Action I, Early Action II and Regular Decision rounds for first-year admission. Application deadlines are as follows: Early Decision I (November 1), Early Decision II (December 15), Early Action I (November 1), Early Action II (December 15), Regular Decision (February 1).

Yes. DePauw considers demonstrated interest. Campus visits, virtual events and counselor outreach all signal genuine interest and can strengthen an application.

No, DePauw does not require a supplemental essay for admission.

Yes. DePauw accepts transfer students. Requirements include college transcripts, a personal statement and recommendations. Transfer students are eligible for merit aid. The transfer application deadline for the fall semester is July 1.

DePauw offers 52 majors, 61 minors and 8 academic pathways across three schools. Popular majors include economics, biology, communication, computer science, psychology and business analytics.

DePauw's three-school model integrates the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Business and Leadership and the Creative School within one undergraduate institution. Students earn a liberal arts degree with professional depth. No peer liberal arts college offers this structure.

DePauw's eight pathways are international affairs, archaeology, graphic design, law, medicine and health, sustainability, entrepreneurship and journalism. Pathways layer onto any major, connecting coursework and internships to specific career tracks.

Yes. DePauw offers a medicine and health pathway with strong pre-med advising. Students typically major in biology, biochemistry or chemistry. A dedicated health professions advisor supports medical, dental and PA school applications.

DePauw's largest majors are communication, economics, computer science, biochemistry, psychology, global health, kinesiology, creative writing, political science, history, biology and mathematics.

Yes. DePauw offers a law pathway combining political science, philosophy, history and communication coursework with internship experience. Pre-law advisors support LSAT prep and law school application strategy.

Winter term is a signature four-week immersive experience each January. Students pursue one intensive project, including international travel courses, internships, independent research or fieldwork. It is a major differentiator among peer liberal arts colleges.

"This past winter term, my roommate and I took a theater class. I've never done theater and never really had an interest in theater. I worked as a costume designer — I'd never sewn before. And I ended up making corsets and dresses from the 1900s for this play we put on." — Miriam L. '29.

DePauw offers faculty-mentored research, summer fellowships and independent study across all disciplines. Students can begin original research as early as their first year, strengthening graduate and medical school applications.

"I think the thing that the research experience can provide the undergraduate student at DePauw is a new approach to learning where oftentimes it's something they've never done. It's a process that they've never engaged with... The research process is very messy. There are lots of mistakes along the way." — Brian Wright, Faculty

The average class size at DePauw is 17 students. With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students learn directly from professors in discussion-based seminars rather than large lectures taught by graduate assistants.

"I'd rather get to know the professor than just sit in the lecture hall with 300 other students, because they're going to be the ones to help you out with resumes, cover letters, potential internships and other opportunities. Those connections have always been really valuable to me." — Claudio M. '26

More than 75 percent of DePauw students study abroad before graduation. DePauw offers more than 150 programs in over 45 countries.

"I spent a semester abroad in Australia doing research. That put me outside my comfort zone of learning, and it really reinforced the idea that this is the kind of research I want to do." — Mia M. '26

DePauw offers more than 150 study abroad programs in over 45 countries, including semester exchanges, faculty-led winter term courses and year-long programs across all disciplines.

Internships are not required for graduation, but approximately 84 percent of DePauw students complete at least one internship. The Hubbard Center connects students with opportunities through TigerTracks and employer partnerships.

The Hubbard Center is DePauw's career and student success hub. It offers career advising, the TigerTracks internship and job database, fellowship advising (Fulbright, Watson), graduate school prep and alumni networking.

"I had the opportunity to do an internship over the summer, which I was able to find through networking with DePauw alumni. It was a great experience, especially as a sophomore, to be able to get into the workplace." — Hanna C. '26

Ninety-eight percent of DePauw graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate or professional school within six months of graduation, one of the highest rates reported by any liberal arts college.

DePauw University graduates rank in the top 7 percent of all U.S. institutions for lifetime earnings, demonstrating a strong return on investment compared to many larger research universities.

DePauw's three-school model and 75 percent study abroad participation rate set it apart from Denison and Kenyon. DePauw is smaller and more liberal arts-focused than Butler. Unlike Wabash, DePauw is co-educational.

"This is a special place. You're going to grow up a lot in your four years here. There's just not a place that does it better athletically and academically and socially. And you get that all right here. I don't think very many other places can say that." — Blake W. '26

Yes. DePauw graduates rank in the top 7 percent of U.S. institutions for lifetime earnings, and 98 percent are placed within six months. The three-school model adds professional depth to a liberal arts foundation.

"When I talk to DePauw's alumni and industry leaders, many of them have surprising majors. It speaks to the education that you get here. It prepares you for anything. You learn how to learn. That’s what separates DePauw from other schools." Cooper M. '25

DePauw alumni attend top law, medical, MBA and PhD programs at institutions including Harvard, Northwestern, Indiana and Vanderbilt. Strong faculty mentorship and research opportunities support competitive graduate admissions.

"...we have a bunch of students out there who went on to grad school... Emily Prince... is starting graduate school at Florida State in archeology, Morgan Lawson is starting a graduate program at IU Indian Museum Studies, and Jessica Tilly... just finished her PhD this year in archeology at Florida State." Rebecca Schindler, Faculty

DePauw graduates are recruited across finance, consulting, healthcare, technology, education and the arts. Recent graduates have begun their careers at Eli Lilly, Deloitte, JP Morgan Chase and Amazon, among others.

"DePauw creates a great product. It's a person who has fabulous soft skills. And then if it's paired with computer science, that creates a consultant. Consulting has been really popular for our students throughout the 45 years... So we've had a long relationship with West Monroe Partners... [and] Eli Lilly, another long relationship." Gloria Townsend, Faculty

Approximately 60 percent of DePauw students participate in Greek life, one of the highest rates in the nation. DePauw has 25 chapters and is the historic birthplace of the first women's sorority in the United States.

"I didn't know what Greek life really was about on this campus... But being around the guys who are in fraternities and stuff around campus, they're just very normal people. It is guys who are interesting to talk to, are involved on campus, have big aspirations in life, and just people I want to be around generally." Brace M. '26

Yes. Kappa Alpha Theta, the first women's sorority in the United States, was founded at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, in 1870. DePauw is recognized as the birthplace of the American sorority system.

"Our chapter is the Alpha chapter. So, we were founded on DePauw's campus, and that makes it like an even bigger deal for us to do everything right." Zoe K. '25

Approximately 60 percent of DePauw students join a fraternity or sorority. With 25 active chapters, DePauw has one of the highest Greek participation rates in the country, spanning Panhellenic, IFC and multicultural organizations.

"We have four really vibrant Greek councils here... And that has been true since the 1800s... You know, it's really interesting, in a time when membership in fraternities and sororities nationally is on the decline, DePauw continues to buck that trend and continues to be a place where that relationship continues to grow."  John Mark Day, Student Affairs

All students live on campus at DePauw. Upperclassmen may choose residence halls, Greek chapter houses or university-owned apartments and houses. All students have access to campus dining services.

"Actually, I did not rush when I came here, so I live in Rector Village... I live with six other teammates of mine, and then one of our other friends who's from Italy... it's been a whole different perspective on college and DePauw. I'm really glad I did it."  Carter K. '25

DePauw offers more than 100 student organizations including academic clubs, cultural groups, honor societies, performing arts, media outlets (newspaper, radio, TV), club sports and service organizations.

"I’m someone who likes to be involved in a lot of different things, and DePauw really lets you do that. You can play a sport, join Greek life, be in honors programs, do internships—all of it. People here encourage you to keep trying new things and build your own experience through however many student organizations we have."  Peyton R. '27

The Monon Bell Classic is an annual football rivalry between DePauw and Wabash College, played since 1890. The winner holds the historic Monon Bell for the year. It is one of the premier NCAA Division III rivalries in the country.

"Getting to be on the field for Monon Bell this past year was a truly incredible experience. I mean, the Monon Bell game as a whole is already an incredible experience. But getting to be on the field where the action is happening is on a  another level."  Jacob Z. '29

DePauw supports first-gen students through The DePauw Promise, which guarantees that the full demonstrated financial need of each incoming student is met; peer mentorship; faculty advising; and a Posse Foundation partnership offering full-tuition leadership scholarships.

"I began at DePauw as a wide-eyed 16-year-old from Florida, the eldest of five children and a first-generation college student. I hadn’t been popular in high school and culturally my experience was not one of freedom. I knew I wasn’t looking for a large University, but I was looking for a safe place where I could grow and flourish. DePauw did that for me and more."  Raphaella P. '97

DePauw's liberal arts model and eight pathways are designed for exploration. Undecided students work with advisors to sample disciplines, discover interests and connect coursework to career goals across 75+ majors, minors and pathways.

"I could kind of make my own path through the way that I choose my classes, talk to different advisers, hear things from different people... That's been really, really interesting."  Miriam L. 25

DePauw's Health and Wellness Center provides counseling, psychiatric support, health services and wellness programming. Crisis support, stress management resources and community well-being initiatives are available to all students.

"Our job is to create resources and share resources about mental health information and reduce those barriers that students may have... and make sure they understand and use counseling services." Kenshin N. '26

Schedule a campus visit or virtual tour at depauw.edu/admission-aid/visit-events. Options include student-led tours, information sessions and class visits. Greencastle is approximately 45 minutes from Indianapolis International Airport.

"I took a visit and met with the coach, met with some faculty, and the realness and the closeness that I felt would be here is what drew me to campus."  Brian W. '25

Yes. DePauw has a strong student media tradition including WGRE, one of the oldest college radio stations in the U.S., student newspaper The DePauw, A Midwestern Review literary magazine and D3TV. The Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media also serves as home for the Media Fellows Program. 

Yes. DePauw's Media Fellows Program offers immersive professional training, and students gain hands-on experience through WGRE, The DePauw newspaper and D3TV.

DePauw's Management Fellows Program embeds students in semester-long professional internships, blending liberal arts coursework with real-world business and leadership experience.

Yes. The Management Fellows Program and Media Fellows Program place students in structured, semester-long internships at major organizations in Chicago, New York and beyond.

Yes. DePauw is consistently ranked among top midwestern liberal arts colleges by U.S. News, Kiplinger and Washington Monthly for outcomes and value.

Yes. DePauw's 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of under 20 students foster close mentorship and strong post-graduate outcomes.

Yes. DePauw's Communication and Theatre department emphasizes rhetoric, media studies and public discourse, supported by active student media outlets.

Yes. DePauw offers a 3–2 dual-degree engineering program in partnership with Columbia University and Washington University in St. Louis.

Yes. Management Fellows alumni work at firms like Deloitte, Goldman Sachs and major media companies, creating strong pipelines for current students.

Yes. DePauw has a strong pre-law advising program and sends graduates to top law schools including Northwestern, Indiana University Maurer and Vanderbilt.

Yes. DePauw has over 100 student organizations, an active Greek life that is home to approximately 60 percent of students and numerous Division III athletics teams drawing 30 percent of students. DePauw is also a 100 percent residential campus. 

Yes. As an NCAA Division III school, DePauw athletes graduate at high rates, with coaches actively coordinating with faculty to support academic success.

Yes. DePauw fields 22 NCAA Division III varsity sports and maintains a graduation rate for athletes that mirrors or exceeds the general student population.

Yes. The Management Fellows Program, economics and management majors, and the Hubbard Center connect students to entrepreneurship and business career tracks.

Yes. DePauw has dedicated fellowship advising through the Hubbard Center and regularly produces Fulbright, Watson and Goldwater scholarship recipients.

Yes. DePauw's honors and fellows programs, such as Honor Scholar, Science Research Fellows and Management Fellows, offer enriched, interdisciplinary tracks for high-achieving students.

The DePauw Promise guarantees that the full demonstrated financial need of each incoming student is met. All students, regardless of need, are eligible for merit scholarships.

Yes. With roughly 1,900 undergraduates in Greencastle, Indiana, DePauw offers a tight-knit campus where faculty know students by name.

DePauw has an active international student population, making up more than 20 percent of the student population. Student organizations such as the DePauw International Student Association, cultural and religious groups and programming through the Center for Diversity and Inclusion support vibrant campus life.

Yes. DePauw's NCAA Division III status, 22 varsity sports and strong academic programs make it a natural fit for students committed to both pursuits.

Yes. DePauw is regularly cited by Kiplinger and Washington Monthly as a best-value liberal arts college for ROI, outcomes and alumni earnings.

DePauw has active LBGTQAI+ student organizations and ally programming through the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and Women's Center. Living Learning Communities also offer residential support.

Yes. Students can pursue economics and management majors alongside any liberal arts discipline, with the Management Fellows Program providing professional immersion experiences.

Yes. DePauw's flexible curriculum allows combinations like philosophy, political science and economics or Asian Studies and philosophy, with faculty advisers experienced in guiding interdisciplinary paths.

Yes. DePauw's winter and May term offer immersive off-campus experiences including faculty-led travel courses, independent projects and professional internship placements.