Admission Policies
Admission Decisions
Drexel operates on a rolling admission basis, which means that you will be notified about the admission decision as soon as possible after your file becomes complete. A complete file consists of all materials listed in the application checklist.
Decisions are made without respect to financial need. Drexel University
subscribes to the National Candidates' Reply Date of May 1, and requires
that a student's $300 matriculation fee be postmarked on or before that date
to reserve a place in the incoming freshman class.
Early Action for Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Applicants with exceptional academic qualifications who have decided that
Westphal College is their top choice and apply early can receive an admission
decision sooner in the admission process. A complete application
is due December 1. Early Action applicants will receive a decision around
January 8. If you are admitted you have until May 1 to fully explore Drexel
and to confirm your intention to enroll. If you do not receive admission
you will have your application deferred to the regular decision process.
This is a non-binding Early Action program.
Admission Prerequisites
Applicants to Drexel University are expected to have completed the high school curriculum that will best prepare them for freshman-year studies at the college level. Please review the admission prerequisites for your major.
Arts and Sciences (humanities and social sciences)
- Three years of mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry)
- At least one year of a laboratory science
Arts and Sciences (sciences)
- Four years of mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry)
- Two years of a laboratory science (biology, chemistry, or physics)
Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Four years of college-prep mathematics including algebra I and II, geometry/trigonometry,
and pre-calculus
- One year of chemistry (with lab)
- One year of physics (with lab)
Business (except Business and Engineering)
- Three years of mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry)
- At least one year of a laboratory science
Business and Engineering
- Four years of mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry)
- Two years of a laboratory science (biology, chemistry, or physics)
Education
- Three years of mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry)
- At least one year of a laboratory science
Engineering
- Four years of college-prep mathematics including algebra I and II, geometry/trigonometry, and pre-calculus
- One year of chemistry (with lab)
- One year of physics (with lab)
Information Science and Technology
- Three years of mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry)
- At least one year of a laboratory science
Media Arts & Design
- Three years of mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry)
- At least one year of a laboratory science
Nursing and Health Professions
- Three years of mathematics (algebra I and II and geometry)
- Two years of a laboratory science (biology, chemistry, or physics)
Professional Studies
- Three years of mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry)
- At least one year of a laboratory science
Choosing Your Major
When completing your application, you will be asked to select a major and academic option. Your answer will determine the college or school for which you will be evaluated. This question must be answered. If your preference is “still deciding,” then your answer is not binding as your academic interests may change.
Drexel offers four Still-Deciding options:
- General Humanities and Social Sciences for Still-Deciding Students®
- Science for Still-Deciding Students®
- General Business for Still-Deciding Students®
- Engineering for Still-Deciding Students®
Drexel also offers 14 Accelerated Degree Options. To apply for these programs, you may need to choose a specific major and co-op option, so be sure to carefully review the eligible majors.
View the complete list of Full-Time Undergraduate Programs.
Choosing Your Drexel Co-op Option
The number of co-op experiences required for graduation is determined by
your chosen academic course of study. Refer to our list of Full-Time
Undergraduate Programs to determine which co-operative education options are available
for your major.
- Three Co-op Option (Five Years) – This option includes three six-month periods of full-time employment. After the start of the sophomore year, students study or work through all terms, including summers.
- One Co-op Option (Four Years) – Typically, this option includes just one six-month period of full-time employment during the junior year. After the start of the sophomore year, students study or work through all terms, including summers.
- No Co-op (Four years) – Some programs can be completed in four years without co-op employment. Students are not required to pursue studies during any of the summer terms.
The co-op cycle indicates when a Drexel student will participate in the co-op experience. For example, students with a fall/winter co-op cycle will work full-time during the fall and winter quarters, while a student with a spring/summer co-op cycle will work full-time during the spring and summer quarters. Co-op cycles are typically assigned during freshman year.
Learn more about Drexel Co-op.
The following examples show when a student with a fall/winter co-op cycle would be in class, participating in a co-op experience, or on vacation.
Sample Co-op Cycles
Advanced Placement Credit
Drexel recognizes the significance of superior scores earned by incoming
freshmen on the Advanced Placement (AP) examinations administered by College
Board. Your performance in AP courses may accelerate progress in your degree
program. If you have received a score of 5 on any AP examination you may,
with the approval of your academic advisor, elect to:
- be placed in an advanced course in that AP subject;
- substitute another course or credit-bearing activity in its place; or
- waive the course and apply the course credit to meet graduation requirements
Students accepted into an accelerated degree program may, with the approval of their academic advisor, waive selected courses in which AP scores of 4 and 5 have been earned, and apply the course credits to meet graduation requirements.
Assessment of qualifying AP credits for placement or credit will be completed after confirmation and matriculation. The assessment will be completed by the student's academic advisor, not by Undergraduate Admissions.
Important Application Codes
| Drexel Codes (For both freshman and international students) |
| SAT |
2194 |
| ACT |
3556 |
| TOEFL |
2194 |
| FAFSA |
003256 |
Enrollment Policy
Drexel University's undergraduate enrollment policy requires evidence of
a high school diploma, completion of a home schooling program, or the recognized
equivalent of a high school diploma for admission into a degree or certificate
program.
Ability to Benefit (Financial Aid)
In order to be eligible for the Title IV Financial Aid Program, you must
have a high school diploma, completed home schooling, or a GED certificate.
The Ability to Benefit (ATB) test is provided for students who do not have
a high school diploma or GED and who wish to determine their eligibility
for financial aid. The accepted test is the Computerized Placement Tests
(CPTs)/Accuplacer.