Drexel University

Date: Mar 11 2016
Major: Engineering Department (This Major's Salary over time)
Drexel uses the tagline "Drexel is different" liberally, but it really is when compared to the traditional higher education, and it's taking some time for the different model to really gain acceptance. The co-op program is irreplaceable and absolutely worth it even if it causes a less-than-average amount of school spirit since not everyone is on campus at one time.

Drexel is infamous for its "Drexel shaft," or endless bureaucratic inconvenience, but I've learned that it's really only because of the insane amount of resources that Drexel makes available to its students. This isn't a school where administration will hold your hand and help you get your education: you have to work for it, but once you take the first step, all of Drexel's various departments (honors program, department resources, fellowships office, civic center/community service, and so on) will provide everything in their power to ensure your success.

Drexel is inseparable from Philadelphia. Many Philadelphian initiatives are connected to university happenings and projects, and nightlife is almost completely dependent on either Center City or UPenn next door.

I am a biomedical engineering major, and I've never found the department to be lacking. Faculty are not so absorbed by their research that they ignore their students - in fact, they are especially open to undergraduate research and innovation, as is the rest of the university, in my experience with other departments. There is so much amazing research going on that isn't happening out of sight of the students.

Pennoni Honors College is popping. So much going on and many productive dialogues being had. It's a priceless supplement to my education, as are the humanities departments, which are not completely separate from engineering, though the amount of communication could be better.

There's always something going on on campus. Even though most students are commuters, the majority of them live in Powelton Village just off campus and still spend a lot of time in campus buildings. There are many, many student organizations worth your time that hold events frequently. Campus Activities Board can always be relied on to hold fun events actually worth going to and to get plenty of discounted show tickets for students.

I'll admit, Drexel gets expensive, but I'm here on a full-tuition scholarship that they've followed through with completely. Co-op allows students to make a good chunk of that money back, but freshman housing and meal plans still get pricey.

Ultimately, Drexel is absolutely worth it. I've had a fantastic couple of years so far and can't wait to get back into classes since I'm on co-op now. Sometimes the bureaucracy and the lack of political or social activism on campus can get me down, but the resources and the people are here, so long as students take the initiative.

Not to mention that Drexel is the best possible place to launch a career, period. I've had countless connections and fully-paid trips to present my research because of Drexel co-op and research initiatives. My resume is great, all thanks to the helpful people in administration. I know that if I didn't reach out to them on my own time, then my resume would look terrible because no one came and spoonfed me the help; the effort to seek out those people is necessary, but it's not difficult to find them.