Any Drexel Questions/Prospective/Accepted Students

<p>This question obviously should be asked to a financial aid advisor as I'm sure it depends on your situation... and I'm not qualified to answer it. But I can say after earning a hefty salary from my co-op, I still qualified for financial aid, subsidized loans, work-study, and the whole deal. One advantage is taxes. I believe since you only work 6 months out of the year, even if your earn $30,000 over a six-month period, the government sees it as $30,000 over a year, thereby giving you a tax advantage and putting you in the lower bracket which I'm sure has something to do with financial aid. I also think they take into consideration an expected third-party contribution which might count for this. And the aid is calculated for the whole year, so I don't think a loan or grant should have ANY affect on studying or co-oping abroad out of state or even out of the country. but again, best bet is to call a drexel financial aid advisor and a drexel co-op if it involves out of state. 1-800-2-Drexel</p>

<p>Zackdudde you have been so helpful to me. I just found this site tonight and I ended up reading all your posts and all the other threads. My view of Drexel changed two weeks ago after my friend had a terrible experience visiting Drexel but you gave me ideas as to why it was bad and why she had an incorrect impression of Drexel.
I realized tonight that I truly want to attend Drexel. I understand the coop program now and why it is benifitial to me. I thought the campus was small but now im rethinking the boundaries of the university. I really like the idea of living in Phili. My one obstacle for going there is money. Could you please read my post in sholarship thread. you have such helpful response. In your last post, are you implying that projected earning in coop is 30,000. That would definately help me financially.</p>

<p>i'm glad i've been helpful. the reason I started posting here was I couldn't believe that there was so much lack information about Drexel. Just to clear up, I am not implying that co-op projected earning is $30,000. For some people who get high paying jobs it is, however the norm is usually around $17,000. I've known people who took much lower paying jobs over higher ones because sometimes the lower paying jobs are what they really wanted to do, or had a better chance of hiring them after graduation. (in fact many people even take nonpaid internships that they wouldn't be able to get if it was paid because of the competitiveness)</p>

<p>As a private universiety, the tuition cost is a big thing, I wrote a response to your financial aid post and I hope that helps. Bottom line is you really have to weigh the costs... for some people a state school with a much lower tuition may be just as good as Drexel. for others who fit in well they may be very unhappy at a state school.</p>

<p>As far as the student ambassadors go that give tours to prospective students, I know a bunch. Some are very good at what they do, although a lot of them really suck and some can barely speak english. also remember they are telling you things from an admissions department perspective not from their own. that's why its good to read the student newspaper, walk up to a student on the street, or go up to them in the dining hall and ask them what they really feel about an issue, the co-op program, the quarter program, etc or in your case browse this forum. I certainly hope things work out and feel free to ask any additional questions you have.</p>

<p>Hey,
I was accepted into a 5yr Co-Op CoE and the BS/MS Program. I was curious about the salaries that are made on average and also you mentioned free courses during the co-op period?</p>

<p>Thank You</p>

<p>Hi, my best estimate for a COE student distributed normally with substantial measurement errors is a mean of 18000 with 1 standard deviation of +/- 4000 and 2 standard deviations of +/- 9000.<br>
or if thats too confusing for you, take a look here: Drexel</a> University | Undergraduate Admissions | Co-op Opportunities | Co-op Results - Drexel Undergraduate Admissions
Don't forget co-op salaries usually go up with experience</p>

<p>Yes everyone can take 4 free credits of classes every term during co-op. Just to put that into perspective, a full-time student needs to take between 12 and 20 credits during their academic quarter. classes are usually 3 or 4 credits. so you can take one extra class every co-op quarter, or in a situation for me last spring, i took two classes a 3 credit class and a 1 credit class. since you are on the 5 year co-op program with BS/MS, it would probably be a good idea to take a night class during your co-op (if you co-op near philly) so you have one less course to worry about in your rigorous bs/ms curriculum, or you can graduate earlier and save money. Usually 3 credit Night classes are either 1 night a week for 3 hours and 4 credit night classes are two nights a week for 2 hours each or one night a week for 4 hours. (and usually easier than day classes anyways)... hope this helps. I heard the BS/MS program for engineers is absolutely outstanding so congratulations, good luck, and be ready to work hard.</p>

<p>i know this is a stupid question considering my low gpa but are there any chances of scholarships or anyway to lower my tuition with these kind of stats</p>

<p>I've taken during my 3 years: Bio, Chem, Physics, Physiology, Spanish (3 years), English (3 years), World History, AP US History, Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra 2/Trig, AP Calculus AB, PE (2 years), Art 1, Foods 1 (basically home ec).... and am currently taking AP Calc BC(got a C), AP ES(got a B), AP Bio(got a C), English 4(got a B), Psychology(got a A), and Econ/Gov(got a B)</p>

<p>Volunteered at an Animal Hospital for 100 hours... played one year freshman bball (voted scholar athlete by coach and team).... one year JV bball</p>

<p>2040 SAT (720 M, 680 W, 640 CR) 710 Math 2 600 History SAT IIs
31 ACT (34 Math, 25 Science, 33 Reading, 30 English, 8 writing)</p>

<p>ummm but it goes down hill from there.... 2.5 is my academic GPA from 10-12 my acad gpa from 9-12 is a 2.53.... my weighted acad from 9-12 is a 2.75.... my weighted acad 10-12 is a 2.77 my Total GPA from 9-12 is 2.68 UW, my total weighted GPA from 9-12 is a 2.88</p>

<p>also I go to a silver medal school according to USNews in california</p>

<p>Accepted At: College of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Science in General Hum & Soc Science</p>

<p>I just received my financial aid summary today in the mail. Drexel has offered me 17,500 in financial aid but 10,000 is from the Dean's Scholarship. I plan on appealing but would like to know how to go about it. I plan on mentioning my family's financial status, how drexel is one of my top schools, and putting in my transcript and resume. Would there be anything else I would need to add?</p>

<p>Also, when would be the best time to appeal? Should I wait until I get financial aid information form other schools first?</p>

<p>hmmm good question. If the financial aid information from other schools is coming soon, then I would wait for them so you could say "All these other schools offered me better financial aid packages" or something like this. however I wouldn't wait too long. you are on the right track - resume, transcript, personal statement (i love drexel, yada yada, co-ops for me, i love mario the dragon, yada yada yada), special financial status situation that drexel did not take into account, even any recommondation letters I think might help. You might want to call the admissions office and ask formally about the process (eg: who reviews it... i believe its an appeals committee, and what time is best to appeal it), all I know is I did something like you did and got like an extra $5000 a year. Don't get your hopes up though because I don't actually know your situation... congratulations on your acceptance and your already large scholarship though and good luck with the appeal. let me know if you have any other questions</p>

<p>Hey Zack- thanks for putting all this info out there. I'm reading thru all the posts. The Honors program Q & A were really helpful. If I attend, that's something I have to decide on.</p>

<p>You said you were ROTC. Why did you switch? In your sophmore year, right?</p>

<p>Also, how easy is it to switch to the 5-yr program from the 4-yr program? I chose the 4-yr. program (Bio-med) thinking it would help minimize tuition expense and figuring I could get home more often where I have a PT job.</p>

<p>I got my acceptance letter in Dec. w/ a $15,500 A.J. Drexel Award. This is helpful, but it's not looking too positive since my mom lost her job in Nov. The fin aid offer was pretty low. I have the Alum Endorsement grant, the filing FAFSA early award and $5,500 in Staffords, plus $1,500 in work study. Leaves approx. $33K + "other" expenses. I guess that means books, transportation, etc.</p>

<p>I'm waiting on fin aid offers from Rutgers and a NY state university and waiting on acceptances from U Penn, USC, and Western N.E. College. I prefer Drexel over everything-- but again, the cost is what I need to deal with.</p>

<p>I just thought of this-- how can you do your work study if you are doing co-op? AND, if ur doing co-op in the summer, do you stay in your dorm? Eat in the dining halls? Is there additional room/board costs during that time?</p>

<p>OH-- do you know if co-op earnings affect fin aid?</p>

<p>Thanks for any answers you can gicve.</p>

<p>G Fresh,</p>

<p>all great questions. I am in ROTC, what do you mean by making the switch? I signed up before freshman year but I was not on scholarship. (ROTC offers full tuition scholarships to attend drexel with paid drexel housing, books, monthly stipend and more). You have to compete for these scholarships either straight out of high school or once you get in college you can get the scholarship. So the first two terms I wasn't on ROTC scholarship but then I got it and they even backpaid it. If you are interested in it at all, there's an ROTC thread I wrote about. check out the navy rotc and army rotc websites and let me know if you have any questions.</p>

<p>Congratulations on your AJ Drexel scholarship. I would encourage you to start as a 5 year programmer because its a lot easier to switch from 5 year to 4 year than vice versa. Plus, everyone has the same freshmen year regardless of what program your on, but a 5 year tution rate has lower tuition for that year, i'm not 100% sure though. i wrote before on why i do not recommend the 4 year 1 co-op cycle, partly because everything is so accelerated, and you get a lot more out of 5 years (free classes during co-op, more experience, more opportunities eg: study or co-op abroad, etc</p>

<p>Are those subsidized or unsub stafford loans. a lot of times the word "loans" scare families thinking your gonna come out of college in a debt your never gonna pay off. think of subsidized stafford loans as a grant, since they do not accrue interest during your time here. There's a misconception about work study. It's actually not so great. You have to work for your money. I have work study and I used to work the residents halls front desks, but keep in mind its a minimum wage job. It could be a good opportunity or it could take time away from your schoolwork. Here are different job openings: Drexel</a> University: Office of Financial Aid: Eligibility. Even though they tell you its a grant, ITS NOT. Its the same as any other job, you might as well go be a bartender or a restaurant server and earn more money in that same amount of time. The only possible benefit of work study that I see is if you can't get any other job and you are that desperate for money, or if you are going to be doing that anyway. kinda hard to explain.</p>

<p>As far as doing your work study on co-op, you probably won't. You'll realize why the hell is the unviersity paying me 7.15 an hour when I can get double or triple that. Also, its not a typical job. You won't be entitled to raises, and don't let you think that you'll get a raise. When I started working the front desk at my freshman residence hall they told me I'll get a raise after a year, the year after I worked the desk but they refused to give me a raise. The year after that (this year), they wanted me to work again and still refused to give them a raise but I told them to go **** off, especially after co-op when you realize you can earn alot more money elsewhere (or just at a regular job).</p>

<p>If you are doing co-op in the summer, you could stay in the dorms, but its awefully expensive for drexel housing unless you have a housing scholarship (like ROTC). most guys just live in an off campus apartment. Also off campus doesn't actually mean its off campus. There is a lot of off campus housing a lot closer to drexel than "on campus" housing. The dining hall is open in the summer so you can get a 5 or 7 or 9 meal-plan, or you can just pay every time you go or add money to ultima funds on your dragoncard. So yes there's additional room/board cost while your on co-op, at least, if your co-oping in philadelphia. some people co-op and commute from home. </p>

<p>So if you still have a problem with financial aid, go appeal it and explain your situation as a special circumstance. (I wrote a couple posts on how to appeal your fin aid, it worked for me), but keep in mind, you seem better off in scholarships/finaid than many other students. In the end, even if you don't win extra money on your appeal, and your parents won't pick up the rest of the tuition cost, since you mentioned drexel's your #1 school, i'd say it is more than worth any additional small student loans. </p>

<p>Hope none of this was too confusing, let me know if it was and i'll try to clear it up or if you have any other questions.</p>

<p>For everyone who is reading, G-Fresh brings up a great point.</p>

<p>Considering work-study or a low paying part-time job:
20 hours a week * 7.15 = $143 * 4 weeks * 6 months = $3432 (and taxes drop you down to $2500)</p>

<p>In the long scheme of things, is it worth the 20 hours a week working a minimum wage job, or spending 20 hours a week dedicated to taking up a leadership position in a school club and focusing on your grades. </p>

<p>At the end of school, you might come out $10,000 less in loans, BUT 20 hours free a week might be the extra studying you need to focus on your studies jumping your GPA up from 3.0 to 3.5, and getting resume experience in any type of student activity your a part of, not to mention that you want to enjoy college. maybe those hours you can do rec sports and keeping in shape, or maybe go out and find your dream soulmate.</p>

<p>My point is that in the grand scheme of things, you have to weigh the explicit and implicit costs. There are some that can manage their time well and still work a part-time job. Or maybe you'll land a work-study job where you can do homework for most of the time your working so it'll work out. But the money you make during your part-time job in college MAY cost you more down the road than you imagine, whether its looking back at college wishing you took advantage of more opportunities, or just ending up with a better career and job. 20 hours of your life a week is HUGE.</p>

<p>Hey Zack-</p>

<p>Thanks I'll look into the ROTC. I've heard of it, but it really wasn't anything I was considering in the past. </p>

<p>My Staffords are Regular $3,500 and Unsubsidized $2,000.</p>

<p>I guess the work study might be good for the first year. Earn a few bucks, meet ppl, and get familiar with what else is out there in the way of jobs. Are there any penatlties for NOT doing the workstudy after it was offered?</p>

<p>So room & board is extra for summer when I would be doing co-op and classes... more $$ in addition to the regular room and board? Home is too far for any commuting, so not an option. Getting an apt. sounds pretty good, maybe cheaper? I think I saw some of the off but not really off campus places when i went on the tour last fal;l.</p>

<p>I know my mom will help out as muich as she can and i hope she will be working again soon. WHen you say small loans, how is that possible to make up the $33,000 gap of umet need? I might be able to figure something out for the first year, but after that, I dont know. $33,000 per year for 4 years is pretty overwhelming</p>

<p>33,000 per year? what are you talking about.
from here: Drexel</a> University | Undergraduate Admissions | Financing Options | Tuition and Fees - Drexel Undergraduate Admissions</p>

<p>5 year Tuition: 30,000
Fees: 2,000
Drexel: 32,000
-15,500 (aj drexel)
- 5,500 (stafford)
- 2,000 (early fafsa, alum endorsement, + misc)
So you owe $10,000 in tuition a year, right?
Housing @$500/month for 12 months: 6,000
Board: @$500/month for 12 months: 6,000</p>

<p>So you are paying $22,000 a year for 5 years = $110,000
Now lets take into consideration three six month co-ops earning $15,000 each over six month period = $45,000
$110,000 - $45,000 = $65,000</p>

<p>So, you'd end up paying $65,000 (approx) for 5 years at Drexel, which your parents could pay, or you could take out loans. And don't forget you didn't even appeal for financial aid which could get cheaper. there are also scholarships available to current drexel students and of course part-time or work-study jobs you could work. Point I'm trying to make is $65,000 is basically what you have to come up with total over five years to pay for everything. $65,000 over 5 years really isn't that much at all. Basically, its just room and board... and you can think of room and board as a sunk cost because you will have to pay for it one way or another at any college you go to.</p>

<p>You mentioned Rutgers, are you from NJ? If so you can easily pay for college with one low-interest loan such as the NJ Class loan: <a href="https://www.hesaa.org/oNJCLASS/html/index.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;https://www.hesaa.org/oNJCLASS/html/index.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Just FYI, You'd should call the Drexel Financial Aid Office. They have professionals that know alot more about me than this (there job is to help people like you in this situation) and they'll be able to help you out</p>

<p>also try applying for a pell grant: Federal</a> Pell Grant - apply for Pell Grant</p>

<p>Hey Zack-</p>

<p>I took my $$ from the cost of the 4-yr program on the Fin Aid Award Summary. </p>

<p>Tuition: 36,700
Fees: 2,035
R + B: 12,681</p>

<p>=51,416</p>

<p>They listed additional expenses as (how close is this in reality?)</p>

<p>Books + Supplies: 1,875
Transporataion: 850.00
Misc/Personal: 3,050</p>

<p>= 5,775</p>

<p>After subtracting the aid, the bill = $29,416 (or $33,691 if i add the other expenses).</p>

<p>I know Drexel sent me the dollart amoutns for the 5-year program in case I changed my mind. I don't have that paper with me right now.</p>

<p>My guidance counselor said that from what she knows, I don't qualify for a Pell award. The FAFSA didn't award the PEll. Do you know if I can reapply with a change in finances? </p>

<p>Mom and stepfather will be able to help with a small amount of cost. I have $2,000 from the last two summers working.</p>

<p>I just read your message about talking to the finaid people and waiting for the other colleges awards to come in.</p>

<p>So you think this is do able?</p>

<p>yes. and as i stated, i would highly suggest everyone to start freshman year under the 5 year cycle even if they think they want to switch to 4 years.</p>

<p>Does anyone know how the Political Science program is at Drexel? I applied to American and George Mason (got in to Mason still waiting on American) and I know they have good Political Science programs, but Drexel gave me a decent scholarship so its one of my top choices plus it is only an hour and a half from my house in NJ and I like the idea of the co-op program. Any advice?</p>

<p>Hey Zackdudde you posts have been really informative so far.....just a couple of more questions....</p>

<p>I plan on applying for the software engineering program at drexel in fall 2010
there is'nt much info online but maybe you could give me some insight
how are the facilities? (computers, labs, classrooms, etc..)
is the program ABET credited?</p>

<p>also i heard about a new "millennium" dorm being constructed that looks pretty awesome
hows the construction going and when is it expected to be completed?</p>

<p>hows philly in terms of mass transit?</p>

<p>thanks in advance</p>

<p>I was wondering if anyone could just tell me how Drexel is socially and academically?</p>

<p>jutman, i was in your situation and actually applied to both George Mason and American when I applied to Drexel. I got accepted to all three but chose Drexel. All three are good schools. I would have probably studied political science at American since i was very involved in politics in high school. Although Drexel has a political science program and history, Drexel's definitly not known for that. American would probably be more of a recognized school for political science, especially since it's right in DC.</p>

<p>I will tell you however to rethink political science in general. You don't have to be a polisci major to get involved with politics in college. The drexel democrats and drexel republicans orgs aren't run by polisci majors. they are run by everyone under the sun: engineers, business, etc. For instance, although drexel's history/polisci program may not be equivalent to an ivy league one, or a DC college, it doesn't mean our school isn't one of the most politically active. There's always huge events going on at Drexel or at the very least across the street at Penn. Don't forget about the Drexel Democratic Debate. I actually got to meet Barack Obama then and volunteer to help out all the TV studios. In my time here, I've heard John McCain lecture, Arlen Spector, and many others.</p>

<p>You really have to think to yourself why do you want political science. If its just because you love politics and history, that's not good enough. Try to work towards a goal. In my opinion, a Business degree with a Political Science Minor or an Economics degree with a Political Science minor will give you a much better scope of knowledge to go into government. If you are thinking about polisci for pre-law, you are MUCH better off getting a business degree concentrating in business law and minoring in political science or history.</p>

<p>Luckily with the convincing of other people, I realized this and chose Drexel and I have no doubt it's been the best for me, especially from the co-op experience. (by the way, there are tons of drexel students who do co-ops in DC working for government agencies, congress, the CIA, FBI, you name it... in fact they come up here for career fairs to actively recruit)</p>