I’m having a lot of internal strife. My unweighted GPA is 3.8 and my SAT is 1480. I got into Syracuse University, and I’m applying to other schools like WPI and Case Western. My safety school right now is Drexel University, and honestly, I’m in love with the Drexel campus. What I’m really just struggling with is I’m applying to much better schools that I’m really confident that I’ll get into, so how much does the college you go to matter? I really like Drexel but if I got into a school like Case Western or Northeastern I don’t know if I can turn that down. Thoughts?
Honestly I would use Drexel as my backup. By this, I mean that if you do get into Case Western or Northeastern or whatever colleges you get accepted to that are better than Drexel and you attend and you end up not liking it, you can always transfer to Drexel. Just wait to see what other colleges you get accepted into.
^ I think that’s bad advice. If you have fallen in love with a safety school, then that’s AWESOME! You’ll be the big fish in a small pound and have more opportunities given to you if you try. You will shine. Plus, you’ll get merit money for being a top applicant. I say go for it!!!
I love a lot of my safety schools. Actually, my list is mostly safety schools and only one reach school. My reasons for this were mostly so I can follow the $ (low income) but I also want to be happy where I go. I only have one match school, and I’d be happy to attend that over my “dream” reach school. Point is, go where you love. Where you get your degree won’t matter, but what you do during your time getting it will.
Case Western and Northeastern are terrific and have great campuses too. Have you visited?
Considering your stats and the Drexel model/reputation (good for not super academically focused upper middle class students who want more practical experience) I’m not sure you should choose it because you liked its campus - academics and fit matter too… Not to mention other schools have nice campuses, too.
In short, wait till you have acceptances and financial aid packages too. Choose with all cards in hand, based on value/affordability, fit, and academics.
NE and CW are academically superior to Drexel. But if you love Drexel and with your stats you might get great merit scholarship at Drexel. Seems like youre doing the right thing, pick your schools strategically, don’t fall for the ED scheme and consider all your options once those acceptance letters are in! Do lots of reading on schools though; Base your decisions not only on the glossy flyers and feel-good campus visits… Good luck to you!
One of my kids decided she liked her safety as well as the higher ranked schools she got into, and she picked it. As long as you are sure you like it and it is suitable in your major, go ahead and do it. My kid got merit aid that brought the cost down, graduated Phi Beta Kappa, and had a great experience at her safety. I would advise that you finish your applications and go to accepted students visits at Drexel and your other top couple of choices that you get into before you decide. Go with an open mind – my other kid ended up deciding that the school that was a distant third in her mind going into those visits was the best place for her, and that is what she picked. So… just be sure you are picking with as much information as possible.
Do visit universities on your list. Drexel is a great choice and you would not make a mistake by going there. My only concern is that you do not visit the other campuses. You may be in for a surprise! Many of these campuses have become showcases.
@intparent: there’s a huge difference between a safety that has a phi beta kappa chapter and a random safety/Drexel though. I agree a safety can be a great choice, but I’m not seeing the ‘fit’ here.
Maybe. I will say that “I’m in love with the Drexel campus” is a shallow reason to pick a school. The worst job I ever had (and as a consultant I’ve had A LOT of jobs) had the nicest office. If you are certain about the academics, how you fit with your fellow students, the career office and opportunities to interview for jobs/internships or success in grad school placements, whether a school that has a high population of commuter students is okay, any ECs you’d like to participate in, etc — then I think you are going in with your eyes wide open and it could work out.
@MYOS1634 I do believe the reservoir of doctorates/quality teachers is high (a glut, to be specific), and a good education can be found at many colleges that aren’t talked about in CC if the student is willing to grab the opportunities there.
Oh yes, absolutely wrt good faculty.
But the way a campus looks isn’t indicative of ‘fit’ and nothing OP has said reflects an understanding of Drexel’s particular niche.