I’m a prospective student debating between Drexel and Duquesne.
Can anyone tell me about the campus life there? Do you feel safe, or is it in a more dangerous part of Philly? How is campus security?
Is Greek life a big part of the environment?
What are the best parts about going to Drexel (besides co-op…) that would make it the obvious choice over somewhere like Duquesne? Are there major cons?
Thanks so much 
Hi! I don’t know anything about Duquesne, but I’m happy to tell you about my experience at Drexel.
I’m originally from a rural-ish area in NJ, where everything is so far apart that you can’t walk from place-to-place. I’ve been at Drexel for three years now, and honestly, have never really felt unsafe of uncomfortable. While Philadelphia does have some not-too-friendly neighborhoods, Drexel’s campus is in University City, an area of Philly that is really just for college students. They also provide us with all sorts of safety resources, like 24/7 walking escorts and safety apps and things like that… But I don’t anybody who really uses them because I don’t know anyone who feels unsafe on campus.
Last I heard, Greek life is like 15% of campus. Not huge, but it’s there. I think it’s a good number because you’ll always know people who are in it - but you’re not excluded from a social life by not joining. I’m not in Greek Life so I don’t know much about it but it’s not really a huge deal on campus.
Personally, I love the environment. The North side of campus, where Drexel students live, is quiet and secluded, but as you go farther south, things get busier and busier. There’s a lot of retail, shopping, restaurants, and cool places in University City. Center City (The Manhattan of Philadelphia) is a short subway ride away, though Drexel has buses that run into Center City too. In other words, while our campus isn’t the most vibrant place on earth, most students kinda see Philly as an extension of campus. And I think that’s a rather cool experience to get in college.
Cons: It varies by person but the most common is that Drexel’s academics are very rigorous, regardless of major. You don’t get any babying in your freshman year - your first quarter, you are thrown into challenging classes for your major. Engineering freshmen don’t have to take a bunch of liberal arts classes and freshmen seminars before they get into hardcore engineering - you start your major on Day 1. The same goes for every other major. It’s hard - too hard for some - but very rewarding because your learning about subjects that interest you.
Good luck with your decision.
@OnWithTheRiotDU Your feedback is helpful. I have concerns about the fast pace and rigor of the school. Is it as rigorous for non-engineering and nursing majors? Looks like first semester will have a writing class, statistics, Drexel Experience and 3 humanities/social science electives. Seems like it will be a challenging course load to complete in 10 weeks.
My daughter just finished her freshman year at Drexel , so I’ll share from a parent’s viewpoint. We are also from a suburbia are in NJ where you need to drive to do anything. D says it takes about 15 minutes to get to pretty much any class from the dorms. I was a wreck the first quarter about her safety, texting multiple times a day, just to make sure she was okay. I eased up because she really was okay, Drexel police are very visible, and I learned she used common sense ( i.e. Walk with someone, or a group after dark). Also, during fresh orientation week, your RA will probably take your floor on a bus or subway into center city, so you get familiar with public transportation ( but you won’t need it to get around campus or classes)
Classes are very fast paced, with the10 week quarters, there is a lot of material to cover, but doable.
Lots of activities, clubs. D is on mock trial, literary magazine, tec serve, pep band and is a science major. Lots to choose from, definitely something for everyone!
Best of luck to you!
@mommabear67 Thanks for the feedback. We live in a similar urban environment, but I understand concerns about safety. It’s good to hear that the pace is doable. Sounds like your daughter was able to balance the workload and extracurriculars well. Was her freshman year classes all core classes or any related to her major? How were the class sizes? Just a bit worried about the academic rigor.
@motict
She definitely didn’t have a typical freshman year. With all her AP credits, she entered with 36 credits, so she was taking some upper level required courses for her major, chemistry. I can’t speak to nursing, but the math and chemistry classes my D has taken are rigorous. Some of the lower level maths and the English classes can be large (30 up to 100 , guesstimate on my part) but some have the smaller recitations with a TA.
It definitely is a fast paced environment, and the students definitely need to be mature to handle the responsibility of managing their time and staying focused, especially if they will be living on campus.
If you are going to Drexel, check out the Drexel Family Association page on the website. There is a parents Facebook group you can join. Invaluable source of support and information for parents!
Best of luck!!
echo the above suggestion of the parents Facebook page–definitely the inside track.
Safety. Drexel campus is arguably the safest blocks inside the safest part on philly.
Freshman year for my daughter included about 40% general Ed, 50% major related and 10% drexel specific (i.e. orriention related)
Three years in, my daughter has had 2 large lecture style classes with small recitation groups lead by a TA.
10 week quarter pace can be demanding. My daughter, a world class procanstinator, loves the ten week cycle–the terms over before she has to fall behind.
From what my daughter tells me Greek life is active. most of girl friends are involved, but she’s not. it doesn’t seem to impact her social life. Maybe it depends on the frat or sorority. Most of first year social life revolves around the dorms. People are getting to know each other and there seems to be alot of cross over between “types”.