Drexel University Reviews

The courses here are great. I'm a...

The courses here are great. I'm a digital media student, and the classes are informative and you learn a ton. Homework load is heavy, and it gets a little too crazy during finals week. Co-op is amazing.

On campus, there are a lot of...

On campus, there are a lot of places to eat. The dining hall offers great food in comparison to any of the other schools I've been to, and it's an all-you-can-eat buffet format. The hall itself is a beautiful underground area with a glass ceiling, TVs, comfortable seating, and modern styling. Around campus, there's a "general store," a Starbucks, a few random coffee shops and cafes, all run by Drexel. At these locations, you can use the funds from your meal plan for food. Off-campus, Philadelphia has great, great food. Stephen Starr has numerous restaurants throughout the city, including one that he hosts with Iron Chef host Morimoto. Campusfood.com is a popular source for delivered food. There are even late-night food places that will deliver cookies at 4 a.m. if you're hungry after a long night.

Nightlife is for students over 21....

Nightlife is for students over 21. There are a few 18-and-older clubs on Delaware Avenue, but I say skip the clubs. House parties are five dollars for guys, free for girls, the music is better, and you don’t have to pay for a cab back to campus. Your best bet is a school party here at Drexel or at Penn, Temple, Villanova, and other neighboring schools, or with friends that live off campus. It can also be fun to just hang out with some friends have your own "mini-party."

Drexel University has six freshman...

Drexel University has six freshman residence halls, and two upperclassmen halls (with another opening in Fall 2009). Considering the fact that many Drexel students enroll in five-year programs, the vast majority of students living in on-campus housing are freshmen. There are ample opportunities to find apartments, houses, etc. in off-campus housing ("off-campus" simply means "not owned by Drexel," though a lot of the housing is, technically, within Drexel's campus). Housing can be expensive, as in any other city, unless you're in a bad neighborhood. Expect to pay $500-$1000 per month for off-campus housing.

When it comes to drinking, Drexel...

When it comes to drinking, Drexel Public Safety (DPS) has a somewhat "hands-off" approach, electing to allow RAs and other building staff to deal with it. RAs do rounds twice at night on weeknights and three times on weekends, and are pretty good at what they do. It's probably best not to drink in the residence halls. If word gets out that you're having a party in your house or apartment off campus, DPS may show up to bust it. If you're at a party that gets busted, you'll generally get off the hook, so it's not that big of an issue, as long as you're not so drunk that you can't walk straight. Just be smart about it.

Public transportation is a huge...

Public transportation is a huge benefit Drexel can provide. 30th Street Station is ridiculously close and so is the subway. In addition, Drexel provides a free shuttle service to its students so that they can get into Center City.

In comparison to other colleges,...

In comparison to other colleges, the dorms at Drexel are amazing. There are the typical two-person dorms, as well as suites. If you're intelligent enough for the honors college, the dorms are suite-style for freshmen, with a kitchenette, common room, two bathrooms, and two rooms. All upperclassmen housing options are suite-style as well. Drexel is adding several other housing options in the next few years as part of its Master Plan for construction.

Food on campus is okay, nothing...

Food on campus is okay, nothing that special. There is the typical salad bar, dessert bar, drinks, pizza, pasta, and burgers. Dining on campus gets old pretty quick, but there are a lot of other places to eat, since Drexel is located in the city. I've heard food trucks are a great place to stop to get quick, inexpensive, good food. Also, there are a lot of restaurants in and around the campus that are relatively inexpensive. As of next year, Drexel will be obtaining a Subway, Chick-fil-A, and Currito on campus in addition to other dining options.

Public transportation is standard...

Public transportation is standard for students. There's a subway stop right on campus, so a car isn't necessary to get around the city. 30th Street Station is only two blocks from campus, which can take you out of the city and into the suburbs. Drexel also has a shuttle for students starting in the afternoon and into the night. It can take a while to get where you want to go, but hey, it's free.

Campus is pretty diverse. Our...

Campus is pretty diverse. Our school trends toward the liberal side of just about everything: sex, politics, etc. The majority of students are probably white, but there are a lot of Indian, Asian, and black kids.

Parties on campus really vary. The...

Parties on campus really vary. The frat parties can be fun, but I think most people go to house parties where you know someone who knows someone. We're pretty big on themed parties, probably because the guys want to see girls dress up. Drexel is in the city, so obviously there are good spots off campus. MarBar and Marmont are standard hot spots. Thursday night quizzo at Mikey's or New Deck Tavern have gotten a lot more popular. Most of the clubs and bars in the city are worth trying, except the Roxxy (disgusting).

The athletic center is nice as it...

The athletic center is nice as it is, and they're expanding it to be twice the size. Our sports fields (Vidas) are about 10 blocks from campus, which doesn't encourage students to attend outdoor games. The part of the library that has finished renovations is modern and up-to-date, and dare I say chic.

We have all four seasons. Bring...

We have all four seasons. Bring all kinds of clothes

I love SEPTA! It's great for going...

I love SEPTA! It's great for going into Center City to have dinner on the town or shopping with the gang. Just remember, if you go clubbing in Old City the train stops running at a certain time.

There is "Rape Garden." It looks...

There is "Rape Garden." It looks mad sketch, but really it's not that bad during the day. Just have common sense, call Public Safety if you have to, and you'll be fine. Calling them is fastest, but you can press the button on a callbox and they'll come to you too.

Going to Center City or Old City...

Going to Center City or Old City with friends is fun. There are endless options here, and I have barely gotten to them all. Bubble Tea House on UPenn's campus is a local favorite, as well as the new Mikey's Sports Grille. Go to Mikey's to watch the awesome Drexel basketball team and eat their awesome wings!

Intramural sports are big here....

Intramural sports are big here. It's a great way to meet new people and get involved.

Public safety is a joke. They bust...

Public safety is a joke. They bust a party, then people just come back.

If you're a guy, be prepared to...

If you're a guy, be prepared to lower your standards.

In general, it’s a big mix of...

In general, it’s a big mix of freaks, geeks, hotties, uglies, smart, dumb, and any combination in between. The guy to girl ratio is in the girls’ favor, though.

The campus is probably one of the...

The campus is probably one of the most diverse places I’ve ever been to.

There are lots of guys—there are a...

There are lots of guys—there are a whole lot more than girls.

Most guys are geeks (except for...

Most guys are geeks (except for me, of course), and girls that are average are hot here (there just aren’t many around).

Most people shop at Fresh Grocer...

Most people shop at Fresh Grocer on 40th and Walnut, but they are pretty overpriced. There are some other grocery stores past 40th, but they're pretty sketchy.

Dorm life is cool. You get to meet...

Dorm life is cool. You get to meet people, you live on campus, get access to the network, you don’t pay utilities, and you don’t have to worry about moving furniture. The worst dorm is Calhoun because the furniture is nailed in place. Van R gets a lot of complaints because it is so far away from where classes are, but each suite has its own stove, so it’s not that bad. The best dorm is Towers for freshmen because it’s just big and nice. East hall is nice for the upperclassmen. It has suites, and is conveniently close to class.