Associate Director, Undergraduate International Admission
Phone: (312) 362-6542
rcretean@depaul.edu
Hometown:
Constanta, Romania
College Degrees:
BA in Translation, University of Bucharest (Bucharest, Romania)
MA in Multicultural Communication, DePaul University (Chicago, Ill.)
My recruitment areas:
The Americas, Europe and Africa
What has been the most rewarding part of working in international admission at DePaul University?
Sharing my experience as a former international student to smooth out the path for the newly applying and enrolling international students.
What piece of advice would you give an international student who is beginning the university search process?
Three pieces of advice:
1. Start the search and application process early! You will get the best of everything (scholarships, orientation, housing, registration, etc.)
2. No two schools are alike! Do your homework about each school you are interested in, because majors, selectivity, application requirements, deadlines, tuition, scholarship processes, can be very different from school to school.
3. Go for the right fit! Just because a certain school is highly regarded does not necessarily mean it is a good fit for you. Make sure that you understand and like the geographical location.
What is your favorite thing about living in the city of Chicago?
First and foremost, the diversity. Chicago is a mini-universe - you can drive for half an hour and be in a different country altogether. This also means great food, great street festivals, great music, great fun all though the year. Secondly, Chicago is one of the most friendly big cities I have ever encountered—people are genuinely friendly, respectful and helpful.
If an international student is curious but unsure about attending college in a city as large as Chicago, what would you tell them?
A big city like Chicago comes with a lot of perks: a big university network, great arts, sports and entertainment, and great opportunities for internships and jobs after graduation. Everybody has heard of Chicago—that means great name recognition wherever life takes you after graduation!