Anonymous wrote:I’d be happy to say lots of good things about UDC - from their program at the Bertie Bakus campus for students who need academic supports on a pre-college level, to their awesome jazz studies program, to their law school.

I’m not clear, though, that there’s much interest here in DCUM-land — where most are neither from DC nor particularly urban, in a historically Black land grant college.

I would love to hear something good about the law school. It would be the first time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently the master gardner program is excellent, according to several friends who have done it.

That is a volunteer program. It isn't a degree from the school (i.e., it isn't a Master's degree).

I think that was PP’s point

I know many UDC graduates who are doing well including attorneys who went there for undergrad. I think most of the people on here trashing the university are people who don’t live in the city or understand its purpose. If you are driven and have goals of getting a degree and may not be able to afford AU, Georgetown, GW, or Howard, the graduation rate at UDC is of no consequence. OP, I would not be deterred by the DCUM downers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But does it give degrees to kids who really could not earn a rigorous degree?

I am all for providing opportunities for all young people. But if the perception is that a degree from UDC is so watered down, as to be a joke...then is college the best path for these students?

Would they be better off with a vocational skill or apprenticeship?

the same is true of most bottom tier 4 year universities. Is there any reason to expect that the kid with the 890 SAT score will blossom into a great student in college?

This is not the student that UDC best serves. As a PP mentioned, it is best for degrees that continue or augment a career, or supplement a degree from another school.

Anonymous wrote:But does it give degrees to kids who really could not earn a rigorous degree?

I am all for providing opportunities for all young people. But if the perception is that a degree from UDC is so watered down, as to be a joke...then is college the best path for these students?

Would they be better off with a vocational skill or apprenticeship?

the same is true of most bottom tier 4 year universities. Is there any reason to expect that the kid with the 890 SAT score will blossom into a great student in college?

Anonymous wrote:Have you seen the buildings? It looks like a gulag, a dirty gulag that was dropped into DC from the Soviet Union.

I think the architecture is quite nice for an urban college. I love the student center.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/new-udc-building-embodies-pride-hope-for-future/2015/12/13/b72cad54-9f6b-11e5-8728-1af6af208198_story.html

They should have kept the 4 year university and the CC separate. Now there is a huge power struggle between the two entities and they barely talk to each other. It is very difficult to move from the CC to the 4-year university. Administration is a mess at both schools. It is considered a last resort by DCPS students in all 8 wards

Anonymous wrote:Apparently the master gardner program is excellent, according to several friends who have done it.

That is a volunteer program. It isn't a degree from the school (i.e., it isn't a Master's degree).

Can people refrain from being disrespectful.

It reflects poorly on you.

Just shorten it to Columbia when talking to friends. Say I want to Columbia for undergrad.

Anonymous wrote:But does it give degrees to kids who really could not earn a rigorous degree?

I am all for providing opportunities for all young people. But if the perception is that a degree from UDC is so watered down, as to be a joke...then is college the best path for these students?

Would they be better off with a vocational skill or apprenticeship?

Agreed! But if you live in a place where getting a "college education" is held above everything else, then this is the result of that, a z list institution giving out worthless degrees. It's not the first and definitely won't be the last to commit this crime.

Anonymous wrote:Have you seen the buildings? It looks like a gulag, a dirty gulag that was dropped into DC from the Soviet Union.

That’s it’s best quality!

But does it give degrees to kids who really could not earn a rigorous degree?

I am all for providing opportunities for all young people. But if the perception is that a degree from UDC is so watered down, as to be a joke...then is college the best path for these students?

Would they be better off with a vocational skill or apprenticeship?

UDC serves an important purpose.

Have you seen the buildings? It looks like a gulag, a dirty gulag that was dropped into DC from the Soviet Union.