OVERVIEW

Drexel University is a private research university based in Pennsylvania. It is best known for its cooperative education program, which is also one of the best co-op programs in the United States. Having over 12,000 undergraduates, over 7,000 postgraduates and more than 2,000 full and part-time academic staff, this university is among the top 200 universities in the World according to Times Higher Education World University Rankings, which makes it a more selective one with an acceptance rate of 56%.

First established by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist in 1891 as the Drexel Institute of Art, Drexel University got university status to get its current name in 1970. Located Pennsylvania, the main campus of this university is located in Philadelphia. The campus is formed by three parts: the University City Campus, the Center City Hahnemann Campus including Hahnemann University Hospital, and the Queen Lane College of Medicine Campus, all in the same city.

Drexel University offers degrees in certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate’s programs. The average freshman retention rate is 84%, which is a satisfying number. However only 23& of the students in this university finally finished their four years’ study and managed to graduate with a degree.

The mission of Drexel University is:

Drexel University fulfills our founder’s vision of preparing each new generation of students for productive professional and civic lives while also focusing our collective expertise on solving society’s greatest problems. Drexel is an academically comprehensive and globally engaged urban research university, dedicated to advancing knowledge and society and to providing every student with a valuable, rigorous, experiential, technology-infused education, enriched by the nation’s premier co-operative education program.

ACCREDITATION

Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges & Secondary Schools. Other programs and colleges of Drexel University are also accreditated by relevant agencies.

ACADEMICS

Drexel University has fourteen schools, from Goodwin College of Professional Studies to School of Technology and Professional Studies — Goodwin College.

The most popular majors and course of study for students are as follows:

1. Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
2. Engineering
3. Health Professions and Related Programs
4. Visual and Performing Arts
5. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

The university is ranked NO.88 among all national universities by US News.

With the student-faculty ratio being 9:1 and 64.5% of all classes having less than 20 students, Drexel University has enough professors for students so that every one of them can be well instructed.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for the university are required to provide either their SAT or ACT scores before March 1 and admission interview is recommended. Applications must be submitted before March 1 and the application fee is USD 75. Working and volunteering experiences usually give applicants extra advantages.

COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID

The tuitions and fees for year 2011-2012 are USD 34,505 and the room and board fee is USD 13,635.

Drexel University offers scholarships (including both need-based ones and non-need-based ones), financial aids and part-time job opportunities for students to help them deal with their tuition and expenses. There are six types of need-based scholarships/grants, provided for both undergraduates and postgraduates. Drexel University offers six types of loans for students, from FFEL subsidized Stafford loans to college/university loans from institutional funds. Students with tuition fully covered by Drexel funds are not eligible for additional scholarships and grants.