About

See what students say:

Academics

A large private research university, Philadelphia's Drexel University draws many students through its cooperative education ("co-op") program, in which students take major-oriented classes in their first year and then alternate six-month studies with six-month full-time employment. Drexel "moves fast," and students love the feeling that "our work makes an impact in real companies." As a research-driven university, the school has found a "really strong area within the sciences" and also does very well in challenging students with "a fastpaced curriculum" that prepares them for a working environment and helps them to get "a hands-on look at what [they] can do with [their] degree." Though students find the schedule "very different compared to the normal college experience," they are well-aware of the track they've signed up for: "a lot more challenging and a lot less down time." One student explains, "If you are not a very self-motivated, hard-working student, you'll fall behind."

Most Drexel professors work in the industry that they're teaching and "are beyond knowledgeable on the subject" (a good number of professors are also Drexel alumni). Professors are all "extremely intelligent," but many students admit that "sometimes there is a language barrier." Still, teachers here are "resourceful and ready to help solve a problem or redirect to someone who can." The quarter system keeps students on their toes academically, but it "makes the year go by faster." "I was skeptical at first, but it was worth it," says one quartersystem fan. At the end of the day, students say that you "can't beat 21 months' worth of full-time experiences," and the school succeeds in giving students "a rigorous, great education that almost guarantees a job or place in grad school after graduation."

Student Body

This work-oriented university is filled with highly-motivated individuals that "consistently challenge themselves and are willing to push themselves so that they can tap their full potential." Most people at Drexel are pretty transparent about their reasons for being there: They're "looking for a good job." Since the "very stressful" curriculum keeps the pedal to the metal, students "rely on one another to ensure they understand and complete the tasks that are assigned." Everyone here is "generally in a state of caffeination or exhaustion (or both)," depending on their schedule for that day. The student body is very diverse (with a large number of international students), with "lots of colorful and unique characters on campus." The community can be fairly "clique-y," but the suite-style rooming "really helps with making friends."

Campus Life

Students generally spend their days "in class, in our gym, or working on co-op." Everyone here "works extremely hard"; due to the quarter system, "there is never a time where students aren't hitting the library or studying with friends." There are plenty of open areas of the campus that you can find students studying ("especially the quad in the spring or summer"), and though students are "not big on structured extracurricular activities," they "do occasionally party." Food trucks are a very popular source of grub, particularly "the Food Truck Alley" behind the Main Building. For fun, Center City Philadelphia is just a short walk or subway ride away, and has everything from the Philadelphia Orchestra and Pennsylvania Ballet to "a variety of clubs, theaters, and bars." The campus is perfectly placed so that "all the conveniences and exciting things about city life are in your backyard, but all the comforts of being on a college campus (security, familiarity) are also there." In those rare periods without midterms or finals, people also "go to the gym frequently and play intramural sports."

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Address
Office of Admissions
3141 Chestnut St., Room 212
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Phone
1-800-2-Drexel

Email
enroll@drexel.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Drexel Recreation Center
Barnes & Noble University Bookstore
Creese Student Center
Handschumacher Dining Center
The Quad

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Center City/Rittenhouse Square/Old City/South St.
Independence Hall
The National Constitution Center
Liberty Bell
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia is one of the most vibrant cities in the nation. For more info, see: http://www.visitphilly.com

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Friday; most Saturdays
9am-5pm; 10am
1-800-2-Drexel

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Mon-Fri 11:30am and 2:30pm; Sat 11 am
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
M-F 10:00 and !:00; Saturday 10:00

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Advance Notice
2 weeks

Contact Email Address for Visit
http://drexeldragons.com/

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Limitations
Winter and Spring Tearms for admitted senior only

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
The drive from Philadelphia International Airport to campus is 20 minutes (but it could be much longer if traffic is heavy, which isn't unusual). SEPTA (the public transportation system) regional rail trains run hourly from the airport to 30th St. Station, leaving you only 2 blocks from campus. Taxis are also available. Amtrak trains from all parts of the country and SEPTA commuter trains stop at 30th St. Station, 2 blocks from campus. Greyhound bus lines serve Philadelphia from the depot in center city; from there, you can take a SEPTA bus or commuter train (from Jefferson Station to 30th St. Station) to campus.

Driving Instructions to Campus
From Princeton, Trenton and points North: Take 95 south to 676/Central Philadelphia exit. Then take 676 west to 76 east exit. Follow 76 east exit under railroad bridge and proceed into right lane as soon as it is safe to do so. Follow the sign for exit 39 (do not continue following 76 east). Go around the 30th St. train station. From New York and northern New Jersey: Take New Jersey Tpke. south to exit 4 (Camden/Philadelphia). Follow Rte. 73 north to Rte. 38 west. Travel 4.7 miles past Flower World and merge right onto Route 30 west. Follow 2.6 miles to the Ben Franklin Bridge. Cross bridge and stay in left lanes. Follow signs for 676 west. Follow 676 for 1 mile and take 76 east exit. Go under bridge and get into the right lane as soon as it is safe to do so and follow signs for Exit 39 (do not continue following 76 east). Go up ramp and around 30th Street Station to first light and make a right.

Local Accommodations
Drexel has negotiated discounted rates with hotels located in Philadelphia for students and families visiting the University. Visit (http://www.campustravel.com/university/drexel/visit_drexel.html)for more information.

Admissions

Applicants: 36,504
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average HS GPA: 3.81






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