Chris Finney
Hometown: Dover, Delaware
DeVry campus: Fort Washington
Degree program: Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering Technology
Expected graduation: June 2008
Why DeVry?
The way my advisor presented the information on the DeVry degree programs and activities got me interested, and what clinched my decision was the location. DeVry Fort Washington is close enough to home that I can see my family and friends and get their support, but far enough away that I feel like I’m on my own.
A close-knit school—like a small family.
DeVry teachers are really great—very open and self-sacrificing of their time. They say, “Come and see me if you need help,” and they mean it. You don’t find a lot of people really willing to do that for you. This openness spills over into friendship with my teachers. That’s what I really like about DeVry. The students are really cool too. Here I’m not a number, not a code—I’m a person. This school is close-knit, like a small family.
A better “Me”.
I feel like I’ve grown a lot in the year I’ve been here, through my interactions with faculty and my friendships with other students. Those interactions are sculpting a better me.
Finding the right fit.
Many people think about price first when they think about choosing a college. I’d recommend knowing yourself and choosing what fits you best. Some like a big university, sports, city life, etc. Some like a small college. DeVry Fort Washington is in a small town, very comfortable, safe, nice, and it’s close to Philadelphia.
A real exchange between people.
Class size definitely matters. I’ve had high school classes with 30 or even 50 kids. That’s hard on the teacher and hard on the students. It’s really different here. Classes are small enough for a real exchange between people. Teachers come into class and share their work experiences and their knowledge. They really know their stuff. You can verify that just by listening to them.
My own place—with a lot of perks.
The housing is really great. DeVry has a housing manager who finds places for rent, makes all the arrangements with the landlord and the utility companies, and matches you up with an apartment. All the students in housing live in this complex. It’s got a workout facility, racquetball, basketball, tennis, plus a movie theater, spa, swimming pool, restaurant, and a clubhouse where people hold birthday parties.
Now this is living—college-style!
My roommates and I have an apartment on the penthouse floor of our building. It’s very spacious and nice. We have central air, cable and wireless internet. Everybody’s apartment is different, and we visit back and forth and cook for each other. There are plenty of events for students in housing. This Sunday we’re holding a Dating Game show. There are basketball tournaments and dodgeball games. I lift weights in the workout room or go on spontaneous trips around town with friends.
Gotta pay the bills, too.
I work at the DeVry Library to help pay the bills. It’s interesting, there’s a lot more involved behind the scenes than just checking out books. I’ve got a great boss, Nana Owusu. He is very flexible about arranging my work schedule around my class hours, and a nice guy to talk with too.
The fast track to a degree.
I’ve attended school year-round since I started last July, with a few weeks off between terms. Yes, you’re sacrificing the vacation, but I’d rather do it this way. You get done in three years. And it’s not like grade school where you get the summer off and your mind turns to mush. But if you can’t see yourself giving up summer vacation, DeVry is probably not for you.
On the path to a successful career.
Next year I hope to get an internship with a company that will let me use my programming skills, and then use the internship as a way of getting a full-time job in my field. I’m also thinking about possibly going on for a master’s in electrical engineering. I’ve always liked working with computers and electricity. What I’m learning from my classes and lab makes me understand how dangerous it is.
The best part: the education.
The most valuable part of my DeVry experience is the education. It’s more than school; it is learning about life. DeVry is helping me grow into a productive person. I’ve already recommended DeVry to other people and I will continue to do so.
