How to strengthen your DePaul application

Sign up + add your profile to see your specific gaps for DePaul.

What DePaul weights most

DePaul weights demonstrated interest and fit heavily—this is a school where showing you actually want to be in Chicago and have researched specific programs (theatre, finance, business, etc.) noticeably boosts your profile. They're notably looser on standardized testing than peer Catholic universities and genuinely prioritize authentic diversity of background and perspective; applicants from underrepresented communities and first-generation students see a visible admissions advantage. GPA matters more than test scores here, and the school is looking for students who will actually enroll if admitted—yield protection is real.

Supplemental essay strategy

Use the "why DePaul" essay to nail specificity about the Loop location and how it directly enables your intended major or career trajectory (e.g., finance students should reference internship proximity to LaSalle Street; theatre applicants should mention the Steppenwolf connections and regional theatre ecosystem). Avoid generic Catholic values language unless it's genuinely central to your narrative; instead, focus on how DePaul's particular combination of program strength, urban access, and inclusive culture matches where you're headed—this school can smell demonstrated research, and admissions officers reward it.

Recommended competitions

Where to focus next

If you only have time for one thing this month, do this:

1. Read 2 admitted-student essays from DePaul (search official admissions site or Reddit r/depaul). Notice the level of specificity — that's the bar.
2. Write the ‘why this school’ supplement first, before anything else. If you can't fill 250 words with school-specific reasons, pick a different school.
3. Find one current student to ask about their experience — admissions offices often connect prospective applicants with current students. The follow-up email becomes specific essay material.