My son was admitted to the Biomedical Engineering three co-op (five year.) Can anyone tell me how their experience was with this program and how the co op worked. We know he could be on fall/winter or spring/summer scheme starting his sophomore year. How does housing work during co op? What percentage of kids are doing the 5 year program? What percentage get spring/summer vs fall/winter ? He understands the benefits of the work experience and 3 co-ops, but besides from academics, he is concerned with the overall college experience continuity. Will there be a large student body in the summer if he has to go to school during that time? If he joins clubs or sports, what happens during the co op? Any insight or experience you can share will be much appreciated, thanks in advance.
Mind you I graduated over 25 years ago in Engineering from Drexel (same co-op program as today, but they used to do Winter/Spring or Summer/Fall), but let me answer these from my experience:
- Housing is on your own during co-op
- You request what co-op schedule you want. I did not want to co-op in the summer and since it was the less popular option I got it (realize you have less competition with summer interns for jobs with this plan)
- At the time 100% did co-op (mandatory). I think they have some other options now.
- You get your job by using their application portal now. You can also line up your own thing if you have something. Fairly flexible. I happen to have listed a co-op as an employer and found the process pretty straightforward
- Sorry - IMO the overall college experience with 18 months of co-op is not for everyone. Yes, there is a fragmented class identity that occurs in those middle years. Senior year was great (that’s because Philly is a great town and not so much due to campus). However, some companies have great co-op plans with many students that make up for it (socially - think of it as a networking opportunity with students from other schools). It is what you make it - I made it work. The good news is that you earn some $$$ to actually do things).
- Many more students in the summer due to the co-op versus other universities, but less than in the other semesters.
- Drexel is not a big sports school - so there is no football gameday. That tends to downplay sports. I walked on to the soccer team but gave up my “practice squad” status due to educational commitments. If I had stayed I’m sure my co-op time would have been governed by my need to be on campus in the Fall.
In the end if you S doesn’t graduate in 2021 (4-yr) and the economy is good but then he graduates in 2022 (5-yr) and the economy is in the toilet, you will have made a poor choice (but maybe the co-op experience will get him into a descent opportunity). Flip the timing and it may be the other way around. You never know what the timing factor will bring. It hurt me - but no one could see that coming. Co-ops helped me pay for college which was more important than “losses” when I decided to enroll, even after you deduct the extra tuition for the extra year. As far as work experience, the co-ops certainly helped me to some degree get interest/interviews and test out my career choice, but in the end it did not really get me more $$$ from my first time employer. The co-ops are the “summer research” option that other schools promote. Educationally I know Drexel meets or exceeds other programs. I deal with hiring engineers now, and frankly what matters is thee quality of their experience and education combined - not one or the other. Most of the time, the student controls this.
I suggest you go visit Drexel and Penn as a representative of a 4-year traditional school (they are next to each other). See how each campus “feels” to you both. Look at the housing appearance off-campus and on-campus. If your son feels no difference, or see Drexel as a better fit, then consider going to Drexel with a co-op plan, which frankly a big differentiator of their programs. If you do see a big difference and you like Penn, then maybe think about a more traditional 4-year program at a school similar to that. Good luck.
Thanks so much for the insight and information. This really helps! I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.