<p>I recently was accepted to Temple, but I had my eyes on Drexel for the longest time. After looking at forums and reviews on Temple, I am sort of conflicted. I plan to major in Biomedical Engineering, but I also wanted to minor in something like Economics or Marketing.</p>
<p>I was wondering if someone can compare and contrast the two based on:
- All around experience
- Biomedical Engineering program
- Co-op (I know both schools offer it)
- Food/Meals and Dorm Life
- Costs</p>
<p>I can’t speak too much on the Temple side of things, but here’s what I can for you questions about Drexel, as I’m a freshman right now. </p>
<p>Drexel’s bio-med program is excellent. While I don’t know any of the real statistics (and you can’t always trust those), I hear not only the admissions department but also students and teachers speak of the program as world-renowned and top-of-the-line. I can’t tell you too much about higher level classes, but first-year they have a core curriculum similar to all the other engineering majors (like me) at Drexel, and most seem to enjoy it. It’s definitely challenging, but at the same time, really rewarding. Drexel isn’t the type of school where you spend a year doing Gen Ed before you can get your hands dirty. You arrive here and you get right into it on the first day of class. </p>
<p>On the subject of Co-Op, I’ve never heard of Temple offering it. If they do, it doesn’t stand even close to Drexel’s. If there is anything Drexel can bolster over other universities, it’s our Co-Op program. Especially for BME and other engineers, the Co-Op program provides you with an invaluable experience that you really can’t get anywhere else. Many BME’s even do their first Co-Op opportunities at CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) or in one of uPenn’s many medial research institutes. Drexel Co-Op is the landmark of the school. You might graduate a year behind your high school peers, but you’ll not only have a 1.5 year’s worth of work experience that others in the job market don’t have, you’ll also have made a lot of money while you were in school. Again, I don’t know the statistics, but you can find them on Drexel’s website, and they are pretty high-up there. </p>
<p>On the subject of food and meals, I can’t say too much. I mostly have to cook for myself because of my diet, but most people seem to be fine with what Drexel has. I don’t think anyone would brag about it, but I don’t think anyone starves either. Freshman are required to have a meal plan, which gives you meal-swipes to use at the dining hall on campus, and dining dollars, which you can use at a variety of locations on-campus like Subway, Currito Burrito, Taco Bell, etc. There’s also a sushi bar and a couple cafe’s and Starbucks around too. </p>
<p>The dorms here are pretty nice. The majority of people live in apartments around campus after Freshman year, but, for the most part, Freshman are all in the seven freshman residence halls. What I liked about Drexel when I was a prospective student is that besides the traditional doubles and triples, Drexel also offers suite-style housing to Freshman, where instead of sharing a bathroom with other rooms on your floor, you live in a suite with two bedrooms that also has 1.5 bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchen. It’s the type of housing I have right now and I really like it and in all honesty, it’s not that hard to get. If suite-style isn’t for you (don’t like the idea of having 3 suitemates instead of one roomate, don’t want to clean your own bathroom, etc), i the traditional style dorms seem pretty nice too</p>
<p>Costs… Here is where the big difference is. I was choosing between Drexel and Rutgers. While I had a very sizeable scholarship from Drexel which brought the cost down to only a few thousand over RU, it still was a consideration. If Drexel offers you financial aid, make sure you appeal it. They’re pretty liberal aboutgiving out more if you say you need it, as I’ve heard. Keep in mind that Drexel Co-Op’s do pay upwards of $15,000 for Engineering so that can help cover the difference.</p>
<p>Over all, my freshman year here has been pretty awesome so far. I’m not going to lie; the curriculum is pretty rigorous. Drexel operates on 10-week quarters instead of 16-week semesters, so everything about the university is somewhat fast-paced. It’s not for everyone and I know a few people who’ve had to change majors because they couldn’t handle it. Being right outside of Center City is pretty nice too. Because were in a university-filled area, I’ve never had trouble finding anything to do locally either, nor do I know anyone who ever feels unsafe. </p>
<p>I’d definietly encourage you to take a tour or come to the accepted students days they have later in the year. Those were what ultimately made me choose this school over others. You can find out alot more from them than from me probably too. </p>
<p>Good luck
Sk</p>