<p>Man, I wish I got that much money lol</p>
<p>Oh, my thread! My beautiful thread! Sorry, hadn’t realized there were replies…</p>
<p>@mwm695 and neblix</p>
<p>HI! As a current Software Engineering major at Drexel, I feel the need to comment! Yes, SE and CS are different subjects, but here at Drexel they are treated as sibling subjects. The way I see it is as thus: if algorithms about how to compress images make you feel giddy, then CS is for you. If you’re interested in how software is developed, how people work together to make it, how you can go from “I want something that does this” to imagining the system in how it would work in a real-world setting, then SE is more you.</p>
<p>But at Drexel hardly makes a difference (and I can’t say the same for other colleges). CS majors become Software Engineers when they hit the real world. A degree in SE just might make you more adept at like, understanding and dealing with software as a business instead of a science. Real-world implementation as opposed to pure theory. Like I said, at Drexel, they’re treated as sibling subjects. But the courseload is not inherently “easier.” I take the same classes as CS majors and do as much programming as they do (if not more -.-). We don’t only take the 4 “core” CS classes. We actually take 10+. On the curriculum it says 6 computing electives: INFO, CS, or SE 300+ level. But since practically all the INFO classes have iffy prereqs and there are no SE electives, this boils down to taking 6 more CS classes. Artificial Intelligence, Graphics, etc. Actually, CS majors can concentrate in SE pretty easily too. So there’s that.</p>
<p>So why would anyone want to be an SE major?</p>
<p>The iSchool, mostly. SE students are split between the College of Engineering and the iSchool, but since the iSchool is so small, has mostly grad students and a **** load of research, the iSchool has much more funding than what the CS department can scrap from the College of Engineering. So that means at the very least, more free food for you. Potentially more opportunities to rub shoulders with researchers, potentially more philantropic alumni handing out a scholarship. Plus the iCommons with its vastly superior printing and is overall a more pleasant space than the CS lab. And the advisors are all top-notch and the nicest people you ever meet! Seriously. I’m so very serious about this.</p>
<p>So right. SE will give you a bit more flexibility and may save you from feeling you’re clumped up with the rest of Drexel’s engineers. But CS works too. Like I said, it’s not all too different. I’m totally being honest here when I tell you it probably won’t make a difference in the end. </p>
<p>Co-op is worth it. Well… depends on how worth it. But it is worth it to see what you like, since there’s SO many different industries in the CS world. And the pay? Being honest, my SE friends and I have been seeing $16-21/hr. And we’re sophomores. So like. =)</p>
<p>Courseload? Seriously depends on the professor. SE 101-103 weren’t too bad, but you may be struggling at first if you’ve never programmed before. In general for all your CS classes, expect weekly programming assignments… those that involve a lot of facepalming and many hours of work. CS professors aren’t the best teachers in the world. They certainly don’t give anything to you for free and you are expected to go through and supplement your learning on your own. SE classes… Last quarter I took SE 210 with a new professor and I was stressed the hell out every Friday trying to get the group assignments done. This quarter with SE211 is like nothing at all. xD </p>
<p>You’re not going to die, but to get decent grades you can’t just expect to sit in class and absorb everything. You get out of it what you put in. And if you want to go further, learn more, and be amazing, there’s certainly opportunity to get that at Drexel. Just gotta go seek it out.</p>
<p>I recently got accepted for the business department and heard that the choices for coops in business were terrible. Have you heard about the average coops given for business?</p>
<p>
Well you haven’t factored in the salary you would get if you land a job the first year out. If you do, and the 5th year salary nets more than $34K, then you are ahead by finishing in 4 years rather than 5, right?</p>
<p>@ReachTheTop</p>
<p>Terrible? It’s possible. Since there are a lot of business majors here, the pickings tend to get slimmer. I live with a Business major now and she hates her co-op, I have a friend who worked in Comcast’s offices and said it was okay, but she really didn’t like it. But both got paid pretty well. If you want a great co-op at a specific company, it’s just a matter of asking the company if you can intern there. Drexel has no problem with it. In fact, the career development center is more than happy to help you out most of the time. It’s just fair, you know? Not awful.</p>
<p>@sylvan8798</p>
<p>Yup, that’s probably true. So in fact, the best solution is to go for the 5-year program, but graduate/meet your degree requirements in 4 years. It’s completely possible, though more or less depends on your major. Just come in with a few AP credits, take 5-6 classes a term, take classes on co-op and you’ll be just fine. If you can’t manage that, most seniors I know work part-time for companies they have co-oped with in the past and take an easy load senior year, then continue full-time after they graduate. That scenario is actually pretty common.</p>
<p>Anyway, for me I feel like co-op is my chance to explore different options. I know what major I’m in, but there’s serious hundreds of different industries, workplace environments, and causes to work for. Co-op allows me to try things out just for 6 months, and having 3 co-ops allows me to be exposed to 3 different industries before I commit to getting my first “real” job. I know for people who know EXACTLY what they want to do in life, this isn’t for them, but the ability to explore my potential futures in a sort of non-committal safety net made complete sense to me. Does that help?</p>
<p>Olliie, thank you so much for answering all of these questions. I have a few of my own…</p>
<p>Can you tell me anything about the Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics major? How are the research and co-op experiences for those in the college of engineering? (I’d assume they’re pretty good) Also, can you tell me anything about the specializations within MEM? I’m interested in the aerospace and bio mechanic ones. Also, does being in the Pennoni college help at all when trying to get co-ops? </p>
<p>Finally, being on the quarter system, how are the study abroad opportunities?</p>
<p>Thank you for answering my questions. I’m trying to decide between Ohio State, Drexel, and Purdue right now.</p>
<p>@HitchFan</p>
<p>Hi! I don’t know much about MechE except that I have a few friends in it. Like all other engineers, they work pretty hard. Not sure much else about it. If you’re interested in going into research, look into the STAR program-- it’s a program where they pair you up with a faculty member and you get paid full time to do be a research assistant the summer after your freshman year. Plus free housing in Millennium Hall. If you get something in the mail about it, you should definitely consider it! You can apply later in the winter after you get here but if you get an invite and reply early I think you’re more or less guaranteed to get in.</p>
<p>ANYWAY, specializations? As far as I know, any specializations are just concentrations, which basically just depend on which MechE electives you take, right? Again, I’m not sure about this.</p>
<p>Well I mean, here’s about as much as I can tell you: There are a lot of engineers at Drexel. And I mean, a LOT. Maybe a little less than a third of all students here I guess? Your freshman year you will be stuck in “cattle” courses, a lecture hall of a hundred people, taking your exams with four hundred other people. But don’t worry. A lot of people will drop out within the first five weeks, or at least change their major. It isn’t so difficult as it does take a fair bit of discipline and dedication. If you need help, there are lots of office hours and TAs and help/tutor centers you can visit. And a lot of people will be in the same boat as you, so you’ll never be alone. Not really. Co-op helps to differ you from the crowd, your resume will basically be the only thing between you and a thousand other applicants for whatever job you’re going for. And Drexel’s co-ops are pretty good, the whole school is pretty career-oriented. It’s a college experience but it’s also… not, if that makes any sense? Drexel is VERY committed to making their students highly competent employees. So that’s more of what makes it different from other colleges.</p>
<p>Pennoni/Honors college? I’m sure it might help, not entirely sure. Co-ops select students based on their resume, so it really depends on the employer, if “Pennoni Honors College, 2013 - present” catches their eye. I’m going to tell you now that it won’t matter as much to them as a strong GPA or relevant work experience. A lot of students are in the Honors college. But they tend to be better students, so that’s what pushes them up from the crowd. But if you are accepted to the Honors college, you should accept it. xD I can think of no reason why it’s a good idea to not accept it!</p>
<p>Ahhh… study abroad. The deal with study abroad is that Drexel is currently campaigning as many students to study abroad as possible, so there’s a lot of support and grants and encouragement available. Being on a quarter system changes it a little bit, some schools you might be advised to study abroad for Fall Term, might need to take your exams at Drexel during Winter break, and if your co-op schedule doesn’t quite fit with this, you might need to change it for that year (for example, from Fall-Winter co-op to Winter-Spring co-op, which is a bit awkward but doable). You’ll also have to take care with how many credits you can take that will transfer. But there are programs specifically for engineers, Drexel has some partnerships with engineering universities. And Drexel will of course work with you to make sure you can do it. Like I said, they’re practically throwing us out there at this point. Take a look, see what you like: [Programs > List</a> All > Study Abroad](<a href=“http://drexel.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ListAll]Programs > List”>Programs > List All > Drexel Global) </p>
<p>No problem, I’m happy to help. Good luck!</p>
<p>Once again Olliie, thanks a lot for these descriptive answers.</p>
<p>Just a few more questions (for now :P)</p>
<p>I was accepted to the Honors College, but I also like the look of the Engineering Learning Community. Is there any conflict created when being in both of these? Is it too much to handle or does it actually lighten the load? Also, Millennium Hall is the dorm dedicated for Honors students, right? If so, is it so nice that I should not even consider going to Myers Hall for the ELC? Can I do ELC and live in MH at the same time? </p>
<p>Thanks again for the quick response.</p>
<p>@HitchFan</p>
<p>Sure, no problem!</p>
<p>Ahh I think you’ve got the wrong idea about the Honors college. It’s not so much a separate college and curriculum as it is a set of perks plus a few “Honors” credits. To “graduate from the Honors college,” you need 16 Honors credits, which can be fulfilled by Honors options on your regular courses (say, a three-page paper on the history of Math or maybe extra enrichment labs for your Physics class) or by Honors courses, which are different every term: Superheroes in America, HIV/AIDS: A Public Health Perspective, or Intro to Ballroom Dancing… You also have to take a 1 credit freshman Honors seminar, which has a random topic taught by a random professor here at Drexel. For mine the topic was using the Internet or something. Our final was eating donuts and playing Human Knot. Yeah.</p>
<p>In fact, being in the Honors college is much better for you since you get priority registration for classes, which is a HUGE advantage in picking the best professors/best course times. And picking the right professor can seriously mean the difference between an A and a D, or the difference between crying yourself to sleep at night and actually enjoying what you’re learning. Seriously. Take heed to professor reviews. They will save your GPA and life.</p>
<p>That and there’s perks like Honors ticket day where you wake up at 5:30 in the morning to get in line to get free tickets to the Opera, Ballet, broadway shows, basketball games, whatever they have that term. And the last perk is the use of the Honors Lounge, which has $25/term free printing and some computers. Take a look: [For</a> Current Students | Honors Program | Drexel University](<a href=“http://drexel.edu/honors/currentStudents/]For”>http://drexel.edu/honors/currentStudents/)</p>
<p>Okay, yes. Millennium Hall is for Honors students (though it might end up that a handful aren’t Honors students, but the grand majority are). You’ll probably find that most students in Millennium/in Honors are engineers anyway, so you’ll always find help and people to hang out with. But I know that Myers was great for IT/IS students who would hang out for everything, I think most of them very much enjoyed it. It’s more of a tight-knit dorm I should say. But you won’t lose the “ELC experience” by choosing Millennium, at least not in my opinion. Take a look at the dorms and floor plans, take into consideration that Millennium has private showers/toilets or that Myers has bigger rooms… Dunno, it’s up to you I suppose.</p>
<p>Ollie–I sent you a PM. Thanks!</p>
<p>Ollie-
Do you know anything about the Television Production program in the Westphal school or have any friends in the program? If so, could you tell me about their experiences and what their overall thoughts are of the program?
Thanks!</p>
<p>Ollie, how important is it to register for housing at the earliest time possible rather than later? It gets you an earlier slot in the housing selection process–but are we talking if it opens at 11 you’d better do it at 11, or does it not really matter?</p>
<p>@olliie, what did you dislike about Susquehanna and U Scranton? Just wondering because they are on our list also. Thanks!</p>
<p>Woah, lots of questions! Hi guys!</p>
<p>@finfan105
Nope, don’t know anyone in that program. Sounds fun though! From who I’ve (very) briefly met in Westphal/Film/Video Production/Theatre even, everyone seems pretty talented, intelligent, fun-loving people. But I know nothing of the program itself, sorry I couldn’t help more!</p>
<p>@Sudsie
Not entirely sure how much it matters. I’m thinking “do it early” matters in a sense that you should get it done within the first week of it opening and not the day before it closes. And try to get it done earlier than that if you really really want a specific dorm. But each dorm has its ups and downs, I’m not sure any single one is inherently better than any other.</p>
<p>@weaver45
I don’t know, they didn’t really pop out to me. Wasn’t anything too special about either of them that would pique my interest. I didn’t visit either and didn’t bother since their financial award package they gave me wasn’t that great. I’m sure they’re pretty good schools, it just was that Drexel was always in my face campaigning and the financial award offer far exceeded that of any other school. So that pretty much sealed my deal to go here.</p>
<p>Can you explain the differences in Computer Majors and the Replay program.
Software engineering vs computer science vs gaming art production.
The ISchool vs college of engineering vs westphal.</p>
<p>Ahh, I can try!</p>
<p>Software Engineering - More business-oriented Computer Science, more on software development than pure computer science theory. But it still is programming, still basically has a built-in CS minor. Lots of freedom as to which CS-track courses you take. Offered by iSchool AND the College of Engineering. You can pick either. There is no difference in curriculum, just a difference in what advisors you have, where you’re placed for registration purposes, etc.</p>
<p>Computer Science - All things CS-related, a lot of programming, basic standard Math/CS theory. Drexel has various CS “tracks” which you can formally turn into concentrations: Algorithms/Data Structures, Artificial Intelligence, Architecture, Security, Graphics/Vision, Human-Computer Interaction, Game Dev/Design, Numeric/Symbolic Computation, Programming Languages, Software Engineering, and Systems ( [Computer</a> Science < 2012-2013 Catalog | Drexel University](<a href=“http://catalog.drexel.edu/undergraduate/collegeofengineering/computerscience/#bsrequirementstext]Computer”>http://catalog.drexel.edu/undergraduate/collegeofengineering/computerscience/#bsrequirementstext) ). Seems like there’s a Game Programming/Dev Concentration too, but I don’t know much about it: [Computer</a> Science < 2012-2013 Catalog | Drexel University](<a href=“http://catalog.drexel.edu/undergraduate/collegeofengineering/computerscience/#gamingconcentrationrequirementsbstext]Computer”>http://catalog.drexel.edu/undergraduate/collegeofengineering/computerscience/#gamingconcentrationrequirementsbstext) The Computer Science major is only offered by the College of Engineering.</p>
<p>Game/Art Production - Not sure about this, don’t know much about it. Seems to be offered by Westphal. Seems to me it has CS 171/172 included, which is enough for a background in one programming language, but isn’t very much in-depth CS theory. Also a lot of media/design classes ( [Game</a> Art and Production < 2012-2013 Catalog | Drexel University](<a href=“http://catalog.drexel.edu/undergraduate/collegeofmediaartsanddesign/gameartandproduction/#degreerequirementsbstext]Game”>http://catalog.drexel.edu/undergraduate/collegeofmediaartsanddesign/gameartandproduction/#degreerequirementsbstext) )</p>
<p>iSchool - A lovely college located in the Rush building, has it’s own beautiful garden, a very pleasant computer lab ONLY for iSchool students. Has a great graduate Library Sciences program, and its (also very nice!) staff and faculty focus on research in social networks, data science, healthcare, that sort of… thing. Since it’s the smallest college at Drexel it has more money to go around, so there’s often little student appreciation days, free hot chocolate to begin the term, that sort of cute stuff.</p>
<p>College of Engineering - MUCH larger than the iSchool, and the CS Department has to share the funding with the rest of the engineering departments. The CS Dept at least is more focused on CS theory, from pure Math/algorithms to systems and programming to robot/artificial intelligence and things. Much less people/society-oriented than the iSchool. The faculty is nice, but more often… more… nerdy, I suppose. >.> Not all the professors are completely fantastic, to say the least. Lots of grad students too, in CS/Robotics sort of programs. As for the College of Engineering, yeah they sponsor events too for students, occasionally. But it’s for all engineers, which is a good percentage of the whole university.</p>
<p>Westphal - More disconnected to the other colleges, Westphal gets its own corner in the new URBN center, many of its students are working in studio classes or are otherwise working 24/7 on their assignments/projects. Again, don’t know much about it. Your standard art/design school I guess.</p>
<p>That help?</p>
<p>Hey ollie, I was admitted as a chemistry student at drexel and the honors college and I was wondering if you knew anything about the chemistry program there. When I went on a accepted visit last week, I kinda got the vibe that chemistry isn’t really big at Drexel due to comments from the tour guide. I hope that I’m wrong because I really love Drexel and want to go there but only if its going to be worth it. I want to get into research and eventually earn my PhD in chemistry so that I can teach at college. Please any information will help whatsoever.</p>
<p>@WORRYWART26</p>
<p>I enjoy your use of caps lock.</p>
<p>Chemistry? I knew… two Chem majors, dunno how they’re doing now, but it’s a decent major with a decent amount of work, idk. I did take a class with Professor King once. He’s awesome. Anyway. xD Yeah, that’s about it. It’s not really big here, I think Chemical Engineering has more students/interest. And such engineers have to take Chemistry classes and that’s basically why we have a Chemistry department. But it’s an engineering school, so by extension it’s a science school, you know? All the same thing.</p>
<p>I think you’ll have some luck at Drexel… I’d advise you to take a look at the professors in the Chemistry department ([Home</a> | Department of Chemistry | Drexel University](<a href=“http://www.drexel.edu/chemistry/]Home”>Chemistry Department | CoAS | Drexel University)), see which professors are active in research, skim through some of their work and papers, see if they’re giving the kind of “vibe” of things you’d be interested in. Also take a look at the STAR program ([STAR</a> Scholars - Office of Undergraduate Research | Pennoni Honors College | Drexel University](<a href=“http://www.drexel.edu/provost/research/undergraduate/starscholars.html]STAR”>http://www.drexel.edu/provost/research/undergraduate/starscholars.html)), it’s a program over the summer after your freshman year where you’re basically an intern for a professor, helping them with their research. It’s also paid (not very well, but you get free housing in Millennium Hall for the summer). Also look into the Drexel Discover website ([Drexel</a> | Discover](<a href=“ForagerOne - Pennoni Honors College”>ForagerOne - Pennoni Honors College)) if you can, see if there’s anything you’re interested in. I think Drexel’s pretty fair in giving opportunities to get involved with professors/research as long you’re interested in doing it. You can also find a decent number of research-y co-ops, I think, maybe at Drexel, maybe at UPenn, maybe for some company (Phila. Water Dept comes to mind, idk).</p>
<p>So… yeah. =) Pretty much. I would advise you to be cautious in considering if Drexel’s more co-op/career-oriented spirit is more advantageous to you than any other university with a great Chemistry department, especially if you’re planning to go to school (and PAY for school) for a very long time. But I mean, if you can get into the BS/MS program ([B.S./M.S</a>. Accelerated Degree | Department of Chemistry | Drexel University](<a href=“http://www.drexel.edu/chemistry/academics/undergraduate/BSMSdegree/]B.S./M.S”>http://www.drexel.edu/chemistry/academics/undergraduate/BSMSdegree/)) that definitely helps. I always just like to remind people about Drexel’s cost compared to its advertised return, compared to the cost and return of other universities. It tends to pay off more for people who plan to get a career right out of college and less so for those more interested in staying in academia. Still worth it since Drexel’s such a research school, but… just… something to consider. =P</p>
<p>So recently I was admitted to Drexel University for biological sciences major with 1 co-op. I read up on the co-ops at Drexel, and found that after my freshmen year I would no longer have summers off, I would either have to do my co-op in the spring/summer or take classes. I am thinking about not doing the co-op because I would like to have my summers off. I am still highly considering going to Drexel though. Also do a lot of people do the co-op as bio majors? Like would I be the only bio major who wasn’t doing a co-op or anything during the summers? Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>Also I read this on Drexel’s website regarding the co-op schedule.
“One Co-op Option (Four Years) This option includes just one six-month period of full-time employment during the junior year. At the start of the sophomore year, students study or work through all terms, including summers.”</p>
<p>@EchoEchoEchoEcho</p>
<p>Oh… no, as far as I know both 5-year and 4-year majors have the summer after their freshman year off but either work/take classes until graduation after that. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have any co-op at all. See also: [How</a> Co-op Works | Drexel University](<a href=“Your Co-op Experience”>Your Co-op Experience)</p>
<p>Actually most bio majors I know are in the 4-year program, not sure why, seems to be a thing. Yeah I feel like if you did somehow had a choice to have summers off you would be sort of rare, but that’s how I feel like. xD</p>
<p>I suppose it’s each to their own, but co-op is a sort of break from classes… yes you’re working full time but you get the nights and weekends off to spend in the city how you like. I personally loved spending last summer in Philly, it was great. Plus I had the money to spend to do things, go places, spend the weekend in New York, go to all the summer festivals and shows and things. >.> And the experience to get a good job for my co-op this year. I have the tendency to waste my summers on sleeping until 4pm so maybe it was just better for me. xD If you were planning on going on vacation or anything (since Drexel’s “break” calendar is kind of screwy), employers are mostly absolutely fine with it as long as you ask them ahead of time. </p>
<p>Dunno, it’s just how it seemed to me. Co-op is Drexel’s main selling point. If you’re not looking to take advantage of it then I think you’re missing out/ missing the point. =/</p>