<p>My son went to Drew University yesterday. Beautiful day, but lots of traffic slowed them down. Arrived just in time for tour and it went on at least 90 minutes. The tour guide was a sophomore Drama major and a little bit of a "dip" but nice. My son laughed later at her dramatic scarf flinging as she walked and her scattered speech at times. The campus was beautiful and he was pleasantly surprised how nice everyone seemed to be. He was afraid it would be like Wheaton, which he didn't like, finding the campus very isolating and the kids all looking alike. Here, the campus didn't seem as "hemmed in", with the train station nearby making an escape seem more available if needed. He also was surprised that there seemed to be more diversity than some small campus's and from what I've read about Drew,they seem to welcome alternative lifestyles. The students dressed in the jean/polo look to more relaxed styles and they laughed when a girl with green hair went by, more grungy, and a mom said, "a Clark wanna-be?"
The dorm he saw was a triple in the sub-free floor and was spacious and seemed to be well kept. The guide said the sub- free floor my son was interested in, was usually kept that way and you had more reason to complain if it wasn't. The students will switch sometimes when they settle in and someone who really didn't want to be there, might switch with someone else. She went over clubs and encouraged any students to check things our for yourself and not get influenced by what your roommate will do, etc.
My son was interested in music and they discussed the various groups, choir, chamber choir, orchestra and a-cappella groups. He looked in 2 class's in session and the students seemed engaged, but you couldn't tell very much in such a short amount of time. Most students seem to like their class's though. In talking to a few students, most seemed to like the close contact with professors and thought there were very few disliked professors in general. The have dual degree programs, research opportunities and internships that they highlight on their web page. His interests in English and social sciences would be well met here along with music. Drama is also very popular there.
The food was "okay", but he caught the tail end of it. One student said there are usually safety foods that are always good to fall back on when there is an "off" day.
The admission officer mentioned about 78% of the students get aid and also that the SAT was optional now, as most of you know.
All in all, it was a good trip, but he felt a followup later in the process, would be helpful. He'll be staying at Clark this fall and I'm curious how that will go. These visits feel like the wont end and I know there will be a couple more in the Spring when decisons become permanent.</p>