Student Profile
Dan
- Class: Sophomore
- Major: Biology
- Gender: M
- High School: Creighton Preparatory
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
Creighton's a wonderful school for those looking for a smaller, comprehensive Jesuit university in a bigger city. Students, for the most part, genuinely seem to really love it here - it's the combination of challenging academics, strong feelings of community, and a close-knit feeling of teamwork that set us apart. Creighton does a good job of not pretending to be something that it's not; we aren't Notre Dame, Harvard (or Nebraska), and we don't try to be. Our academic profile actually puts us 4th in the Midwest behind Notre Dame, Northwestern, Washington U, and the University of Chicago. At the same time, we aren't all about the books - the stereotypical CU student juggles his courseload with service, exercise, extracurriculars, and a little bit of partying on the weekends (though nothing like a state school). Though people outside the Midwest might not immediately recognize our name (unless they've been watching March Madness), we have quietly worked our way up to being one of the best schools of our type in the nation. Campus is beautiful, the city's downtown nearby is clean and exciting, our athletic teams are fun to support, academics are rigorous, and the students here are as friendly as I've ever seen.
Academic Life
In terms of academics, Creighton can hold its own with any University at which I've attended classes (Notre Dame, Saint Louis U., far better than U. Nebraska). The professors actually do care about their students; teaching, not research (though they do it and are willing to let you help), is their priority. Coming in to ask an individual question has always been an enlightening, not intimidating, time. I'm a pretty good student and I really could have gone to any of the Ivies that I wanted. But I find myself more than sufficiently challenged and broadened by Creighton's academic rigor. Now don't get me wrong, you can make an easy time of academics here, especially with some of the core classes your freshman year. The onus is on you to make your collegiate academic experience what you want it to be.
Student Body
Creighton IS NOT a close-minded Catholics-only school. Yes, we are a Catholic, Jesuit university. Mass is well-attended on Sundays (as is the twice-daily Protestant service). You will take theology classes (2 for non-honors students, I think), and you will be surrounded by a Catholic majority. But, believe it or not, the Jesuits are actually a more left-wing brand of Catholicism, which is in itself a less literal type of Christianity. The Jesuits advocate a more liberal social policy than certainly the Republican party would - when asked, our president expressed his preference for a democratic candidate in 2008's election. And you certainly won't be an outcast if you're not Catholic; honestly, people probably won't know or care. Look at your core theology classes as exposure to a major brand of philosophy that has shaped how our modern world has been formed. Agnostic or atheist, Buddhist or Lutheran, that's a worthwhile enterprise. If youÕre a pre-med/pre-dent (like perhaps 65% of the freshman here, though that number goes down), Creighton is an excellent school, but youÕll have to work at it. You canÕt just enroll here, declare your pre-med interest, and expect to magically become a doctor. With that being said, CUÕs very supportive and helpful to its pre-meds, and it does sport a medical school that favors CU grads. ItÕs a similar story for those interested in law, physical therapy, or pharmacy. CreightonÕs dominated by those Òpre-somethings,Ó which I think points to the driven nature of the student body. But competition is at a minimum. CU students realize theyÕre really only competing with themselves, and theyÕre always ready to help each other out.
The Best Things
Feeling of community
The Worst Things
Whiners who wish they'd gotten in to fill-in-the-blank University (though there aren't many)
