Interesting article about changes being made by Drexel University in Phila.
"The decision to reduce applications this year was an effort to focus on serious and qualified applicants. The university announced in January it would add a $50 application fee and eliminate its “VIP” fast application, which required neither an essay nor recommendations.
In 2014, only 8 percent of students who were offered admission enrolled, a very low yield. As a result of the recent changes, applications were halved, and Drexel’s yield rate rose to 13.7 percent, with an uptick in the quality of accepted students based on SAT scores and grade-point averages…"
The article said their incoming enrollment dropped 5 percent this year.
They had previously announced huge enrollment expansion plans, and a large physical expansion west of the their current campus.
They made a mistake of starting a brand new law school right before the bottom dropped out of that market. They had to convince the donor who had his name on the law school to give up the honor, so they could re-sell the name to someone else for more money.
The only reason I applied to Drexel in 2012 was because they relentlessly emailed and snail mailed me brochures. Even though I had no intention of going there, my mom told me to apply anyways since the application was free, the school didn’t require any work on my part, and it seemed like an interesting college (neither of us had ever heard of a co-op program before).
But it sounds like the charging for apps is working since all those just applying for free but not intending to go were wasting their time and Drexel’s time. Yes it hurts the number of apps so the percentage of acceptances goes up, but maybe D can pay more attention to those applicants who are actually interested and get some who are iffy to commit.
Drexel is an interesting place, with a very dynamic, visionary president. It has some big problems and big potentials. It definitely has an affordability issues, but it has been a great, great place for the kids I know who have gone there.
I agree with twoinandone and jym626. I think Drexel made a very smart move. Their time will be spent on evaluating those who are more serious about the school, and their yield will go up. Two good things for a school.
We took Drexel off the list for Lake Jr., even though a friend of the family was a Drexel alum. Drexel simply asks for too much in tuition. The cost difference between Drexel and Lake Jr.'s engineering school is nearly unfathomable, particularly considering the wonderful undergraduate research, co-op and intern opportunities at Lake Jr.'s school.
Also at Drexel you have no summer vacation, studying all year round. They have trimesters. Overpriced school, was accepted but with $63k/year was no way! Did not know when applying that no vacation there. Applied just because co-op.
I went to a co-op school … no vacation for 5 years. But it wasn’t an issue. I had a blast at school, and my work experiences were great. I had an awesome job even before I graduated. The no-vacation thing was simply not a big deal.
$63k/year would have been, though (although some of it is offset by co-op earnings).
I just visited the University of Cincinnati, inventor of co-ops, and the programs and price tag made me think I’ll have it on the list of every student who mentions Northeastern or Drexel.
I was never drawn by Drexel. Ugly part of Philly, an already low tier city for its size, pricey, co-op is better at other schools, and nothing special in the academic sphere that can’t be had at plenty of other nice colleges in the area (local and regional) for cheaper.