Drexel University
Drexel University is located in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia. Situated along the Schuylkill River, University City is a bustling, metropolitan neighborhood with a college town feel. It is home to both Drexel and the University of Pennsylvania, so there are college students everywhere! There are many student-friendly eateries, and the streets are lined with food trucks. Students are knowledgeable about public transportation and use the SEPTA to explore other neighborhoods in Philly. The urban campus is walkable, with academic buildings and dorms lining city streets. Buckley Green is a central, grassy area with volleyball courts and space for students to congregate outside.
A mid-sized, research university, Drexel has about 14,000 undergraduate and 6,000 graduate students. The student body is diverse including 10% international students. The average class size is around 20, and the faculty/student ratio is 10:1. About 80% of applicants were admitted last year through Early Decision and Regular Decision rounds. The admissions process is test-optional, and fewer than half of candidates submitted standardized test scores.
Undecided prospects may be interested in the First-Year Exploratory Studies program. For students who enter Drexel undecided, this unique program guides them in exploring their interests and options before settling on a major. The program is small, and students work closely with advisors who guide them through their first year of study. At the end of the year, students declare a major.
Drexel is well known for its distinctive Co-operative Education program, a draw for many applicants. The six month, paid co-op experience is unique for each student. Co-ops enable students to apply what they are learning in real-world work environments and give them the chance to explore potential career paths before graduation. All students take COOP 101, a course designed to assist and prepare students for the co-op search and experience. About 50% of students receive job offers from their former co-op employers! There are two options for students to choose from: the 4-year program with a single co-op or the 5-year program with three co-ops. Students do not pay tuition during their co-ops, so the total cost stays the same either way.
The university has a two year on-campus residency requirement. First-year students live in residence halls in traditional double rooms or two or three-bedroom suites. Drexel also has Living Learning Communities, where students with common interests live together. Drexel prides itself on diversity and inclusion. They offer Gender Inclusive Housing which ensures that every student feels comfortable with their living arrangements. In their second year, students can live in a residence hall, fraternity/sorority house or a university-affiliated apartment, before moving off campus as a junior or senior.
Who will thrive at Drexel?
Drexel is a good fit for students who are interested in immersing themselves in the hustle and bustle of urban life. Many prospective students know where they are headed professionally and are excited to take advantage of co-ops to gain real-world experience while they are still undergraduates. Top majors include: engineering, nursing, marketing and design/applied arts. The well-known Westphal College of Media and Design attracts creative students, while the engineering and science programs attract students interested in STEM.
Fun Facts:
Drexel’s dragon mascot, Mario the Magnificent, is named after an alum, Mario Mascioli, who never missed a Drexel basketball game.
The Westphal College of Media Arts and Design is home to an award winning independent record label, Mad Dragon Records.
The school motto is “Ambition Can’t Wait”.
The Drexel Medical School is the consolidation of two of the oldest medical colleges in the country: Hahnemann Medical College and The Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, the first degree granting medical school in the world for women.
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