Welcome! The Department of English and Philosophy congratulates you on your acceptance to Drexel University. The purpose of this part of our web site is to inform you about placement in Freshman English classes, and to tell you about our Freshman Reading Program. (Please note that this information is subject to change.)

Most students who are accepted to Drexel must take ENGL 101 in their first quarter.

- If you took the SAT and/or the TOEFL exam, your placement will be based on this score. You must still complete the "Preliminary Questions" quiz (see below).

- If you did not take either the SAT and/or TOEFL exam, you must take the English Examination, which is available online. You must also complete the "Preliminary Questions" quiz (see below).

If you are interested in qualifying for an honors section of Freshmen English (ENGL 105), you will use the "Preliminary Questions" quiz to request the Honors English Examination.

"Preliminary Questions" quiz: this quiz will allow you to select the type of class you would prefer, either a standard (face-to-face) class or a hybrid (half face-to-face/half on computer). For more information on standard and hybrid classes, click here.

The English examination is comprised of a short essay based on a single prompt, which will require you to take and support a position on an issue. You are asked to write in an appropriate tone and with a minimum of grammatical and mechanical mistakes. When you take the exam, think about the following questions: Is my position clear? Do I have good reasons for taking my position? Do I have sufficient support for my position? Is my tone appropriate for the situation? Have I edited the final version so that the spelling, grammar, and punctuation are correct?

There are no sample questions available for this examination. The English examination will be administered online, and will take approximately 35 minutes to complete.

The Honors English examination is also a short essay based on a single prompt. You will be required to support an argument based on a thematic analysis of a work of literature in an appropriate tone and with a minimum of grammatical and mechanical mistakes. When you take this examination, consider the same questions as those listed under the English examination, but in addition: Am I accurately representing the work of literature under discussion? Am I demonstrating an understanding of the themes and characters in the work? Am I presenting a unified argument?

Please note that there are only six honors sections each fall, so space is very limited. There are no sample questions available for this examination. The Honors English examination will be administered online, only to those who request it, and will take approximately 35 minutes to complete.

The FRP is an interdisciplinary program aimed at providing incoming freshmen with a common experience as a foretaste of the intellectual inquiry they will find at Drexel University. This program will be their first invitation, with many to follow, to the great river of debate, discussion, and intellectual exchange that flows through the academic community. The reading assignment for this year, Everything Bad is Good for You, is a nonfiction work. The author, Steven Johnson, argues that video games, television shows, and other aspects of popular culture are actually making us smarter. All incoming freshmen are required to read this book over the summer and be prepared to discuss it in their ENGL 101 or ENGL 105 classes. More information will be available soon.

For more information regarding other placement examinations, please access the Guide to Taking the Placement Examination(s).