Location & Setting

Greencastle, Indiana is a small town of about 10,000 people, roughly 45 minutes west of Indianapolis on I-70. This is genuinely rural central Indiana — cornfields, a courthouse square, a few local restaurants, and not much else within walking distance. The town square has some charm (a coffee shop, a pizza place, a bookstore), but students aren't choosing DePauw for the nightlife options. Indianapolis is the escape valve for concerts, restaurants, and airport access, but you'll need a car or a friend with one to get there. The upside of the isolation is that campus becomes the center of everything — students are deeply invested in what happens on the quad because there's nowhere else to go.

Where Students Live & How They Get Around

DePauw is a residential campus through and through. Students are required to live on campus for at least three years, and most stay all four. First-years live in residence halls, and upperclassmen move into Greek houses, themed living communities, or university-owned housing. Having a car is helpful for grocery runs and Indianapolis trips but not necessary for daily life — campus is compact and walkable. Indiana winters are real (cold, gray, with stretches of snow from November through March), and the humidity in early fall can be oppressive. Students learn to layer and to appreciate the DePauw Nature Park — a 520-acre preserve adjacent to campus that's genuinely one of the school's best features for runners, hikers, and anyone who needs space to breathe.

Campus Culture & Community

Here's the thing you need to know about DePauw: Greek life is the dominant social force on campus. Roughly 70-75% of students join a fraternity or sorority, which is among the highest rates in the country. Greek houses anchor the weekend social scene — parties happen there, and the social calendar revolves around chapter events, formals, and philanthropy weeks. If you're comfortable in that world, you'll find a ready-made community from the first semester. If you're not, the experience is different — not impossible, but you'll need to be more intentional about finding your people through athletics, arts organizations, or themed living communities. The school has been working to diversify social life beyond Greek houses, but the culture shifts slowly. The Monon Bell game against Wabash College is the campus tradition that genuinely matters — it's one of the oldest rivalry games in college football, and the entire campus shows up. School spirit peaks sharply around that game and simmers the rest of the year.

Mission & Values

DePauw was founded by the Methodist Church in 1837, but religion plays almost no role in daily campus life today. There are no required theology courses, it's not a dry campus, and most students wouldn't describe the school as religious in any meaningful way. A chapel exists and services are available, but attendance is entirely optional and sparse. What does show up in the institutional DNA is an emphasis on civic engagement, ethical reasoning, and leadership development. The Prindle Institute for Ethics — a striking building set in the Nature Park — hosts speakers, debates, and programming that actually draws student interest. The Compton Center for Peace and Justice reflects a genuine commitment to service. Professors know students by name (the student-faculty ratio is about 9:1), and the advising relationships tend to be real, not performative. Students generally feel known here — it's hard to hide in a school this small.

Student Body

DePauw draws primarily from the Midwest — Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan are heavily represented — with a meaningful contingent from the coasts and a growing international population. The stereotypical DePauw student has historically been white, upper-middle-class, and Greek-affiliated, and while the school has made real progress on diversifying (about 25-30% students of color), the preppy Midwestern energy remains the dominant vibe. Students tend to be friendly, social, and career-oriented rather than deeply countercultural or activist. Political leanings skew moderate, with pockets of progressive energy and conservative tradition coexisting without much friction. The fellows programs attract ambitious, Type-A students who are already thinking about internships and career trajectories as first-years.

Academics

DePauw's academic strength lies in its fellows programs and the access they provide. Management Fellows pairs with Midwestern businesses for semester-long internships. Media Fellows connects students with media organizations (DePauw has produced a disproportionate number of journalists and TV personalities — this is where the school punches above its weight). Science Research Fellows gives undergrads genuine lab time that would be reserved for graduate students at larger universities. The Honor Scholar program adds depth for students who want an intellectual community within the college. Beyond fellows, economics, political science, English, and the sciences are consistently strong. The School of Music is excellent and a legitimate draw — it offers conservatory-quality training within a liberal arts context, and music students are well integrated into campus life rather than siloed off. Class sizes average around 15-18 students, and the teaching is genuinely the priority — professors are accessible, hold real office hours, and remember your name. About 80% of students study abroad, which is among the highest rates nationally. The academic culture is serious but not cutthroat — students work hard, but collaboration is more common than competition.

Athletics & Campus Sports Culture

As a D3 school in the North Coast Athletic Conference, DePauw competes in 21 varsity sports. The NCAC is a strong D3 conference — games are competitive and well-coached. Athletes make up a significant portion of the student body (roughly 25-30%), and being a student-athlete is a respected identity on campus without being a separating one. Football and basketball draw the most attention, particularly around the Monon Bell rivalry, but other sports have loyal followings. The athletics facilities are solid for D3 — the Lilly Center was renovated in recent years. The D3 model works well here: athletes are fully integrated into academic and social life, and the time commitment allows for study abroad, internships, and Greek involvement alongside competition. Field hockey competes in the NCAC, which includes strong programs at Kenyon, Oberlin, and Denison.

What Else Should You Know

Financial aid is worth a serious conversation — DePauw's sticker price is high (north of $65,000 total cost), but the school meets a significant portion of demonstrated need and merit scholarships can be substantial. Ask direct questions about net cost. The Greencastle isolation is a feature or a bug depending on your personality — some students thrive in the bubble, others feel trapped by junior year. The Greek system can feel exclusionary during rush, even if things settle afterward; go in with eyes open about what that culture means for the first semester especially. The Nature Park is an underrated gem — 520 acres of trails, ravines, and woods that provide a genuine counterweight to the social intensity of a small campus. DePauw alumni are fiercely loyal and well-connected, particularly in Indianapolis, Chicago, and media industries nationally, which pays dividends for internships and first jobs.