University Preparation Summer Program

• Receive an Academic I-20 from Drexel University for your entire length of study at the ELC and Drexel
• Live in a Drexel residence hall housing on campus with Drexel University chaperones
• Learn English for academic success with expert language instructors
• Attend Drexel Orientation during New Student Days
• Access Drexel University library, computer lab, and university recreation facilities
• Enjoy activities and events at Drexel and in Philadelphia

Course Descriptions

Academic written and oral language course - Practice strategies and skills for communicating on an American campus through speaking and writing. See requirements listed under "How do you complete the University Preparation Program."

College life course - Topics include talking with your professor, participating in discussions, asking for information and getting help, negotiating with your roommates, etc.

University Experience:  Getting to Know Drexel - Faculty and staff from the university will present information about free resources to help you at Drexel.  Topics include:  Using the classroom technology, living and learning in the residence halls, introduction to the library, academic honesty, time management, math and writing centers, academic advising, and the Co-op experience.

Afternoon Workshops - Meet with Drexel students and staff for conversations about topics that are important to you as an international student.

Study Hall - Meet in small groups to do homework and get help with projects.

Evening Activities - Relax and enjoy an evening movie, dinner with friends, or a night in Center City Philadelphia.  Your choice!

At the conclusion of the program, students will enter onto one of two paths of study in the Fall based on their performance in their UPREP classes and final written and oral communication skills assessments.

Path One:  Full-time undergraduate matriculation with special coursework in the Fall term.

Path Two:  International Gateway program, which provides a foundation year of English language courses plus academic coursework in preparation of undergraduate study the following fall.

To be recommended for Path One, students must:

• Fulfill attendance and participation requirements in UPREP classes and activities
• Achieve 80% or higher in all UPREP classes 
• Achieve 80% or higher in final written and oral communications skills assessments
• Receive a recommendation from the UPREP Coordinator

More information about requirements and how to obtain a recommendation for Path One will be provided upon arrival.

Skills Assessed for Oral Communications

• Discuss a variety of academic topics
• Use appropriate verb tenses and use advanced grammatical structures in presentations and debates
• Initiate, sustain and close conversations in different social settings
• Answer main idea and most detail questions

Skills Assessed for Written Communications:

• Write essays with clear introductions, developed body paragraphs, and conclusions
• Incorporate advanced grammatical structures
• Read and respond to university texts

Please check back later for information.

Print out and complete the UPREP 2013 Intent to Enroll form.  Return it by fax to:  +215-895-6775 or by mail to:  UPREP, Drexel ELC, 229 N. 33rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA (Tel. +215-895-2022)

Before you arrive in Philadelphia, sign up for your Drexel email account, choose your fall housing, take your placement tests, and get your immunizations completed.

A reminder: Send us an email uprep@drexel.edu about your arrival date and time so the residence hall staff can help you. The residence hall is open 24 hours a day.

DREXEL EMAIL

Your must set up your Drexel University email account to pay tuition, take your math and science placement tests, see your course schedule, and look for other important information. 

Go to https://accounts.drexel.edu   Use your Drexel student ID, which is on your acceptance letter.

DREXEL FALL HOUSING APPLICATION 

The deadline to apply for DREXEL fall housing and pay your tuition deposit is May 1 at 5:00. Go to www.drexel.edu\housing for more information on how to apply.

PLACEMENT TESTS

Take your online math and science tests that will help your advisor place you in the correct courses. Go to http://www.drexel.edu/provost/advising/placement_exams.html

IMMUNIZATIONS

Bring all your documents to show you have your immunizations. Go to the Drexel Immunization website then click "Download Immunization Form (PDF)". This will tell you what you need to bring.

FALL ORIENTATION

Wednesday September 18-Thursday Sept 19  Fall orientation is for students who will study at Drexel. All colleges and schools will have someone to help you. Registration will open in May.

The summer housing is in Towers Hall. You can move in any time on Saturday August 24.   

You do not have to apply separately for UPREP housing. All UPREP students will be assigned rooms in a Drexel Residence Hall on campus when we receive the Intent to Enroll form.

You will pay your UPREP housing fee to the English Language Center when you arrive.

You will receive sheets and blankets for the first 2 weeks. The ELC will help you find a store to buy items for your room.

Towers Hall address:  101 N. 34th Street  Philadelphia, PA 19104

• Large social/study lounges are located on each floor, with 32" flat screen televisions.
• The laundry room is centrally located on the second floor.
• A fully furnished game room is available on the first floor.
• Each bedroom includes a MicroFridge (a microwave and refrigerator combo).  .
• Each residents will have a hard-wired connection to ResNet and there are DragonFly wireless activation points throughout the building.

Transportation from Philadelphia International Airport

The easiest way is to take a taxi.

• When: 24 hours a day. You do not need a reservation.
• Where: Outside of the baggage claim area.
• How: Tell the driver the address you want to go to (or write it on a piece of paper).
• Time: About 20 minutes from the airport to Drexel University.
• Cost: About $35 including tip (cash or credit card).

Shuttle van service is cheaper, but a little harder.

• When: 5:30 a.m. - 12:00 midnight. You do not need a reservation.
• Where: Go to the Ground Transportation counter in the baggage claim area.
• How:
  1. Use the phones on the counter. Dial #27 for Lady Liberty Transportation.
  2. Tell them the address you are going to. Ask the people behind the counter for help
  3. Tell the driver the address you want to go to (or write it on a piece of paper).
• Time: About 30 minutes from the airport to Drexel University (the van may make other stops).
• Cost: About $15 (cash only). Tell the Drive to turn right on 33rd Street. The dormitories are located between Arch and Powelton Streets. You will be in either Myers Hall or Kelly Hall.
• campus map

Please check back later for information.

I retook the TOEFL/IELTS. How do I resubmit my new score?

• Contact the test organization to submit the new score directly to Drexel Admissions
  Phone: 215-895-2202 | FAX: 215-895-5939 | E-mail: enroll@drexel.edu

Who will issue my I-20?

• Drexel issues your I-20   Contact Zaid@drexel.edu

Where can I use my Dragon Dollars to buy food?

• Go to http://drexel.edu/dbs/dragonCard/dragonDollars/merchants for a list of places to eat near the residence halls.