Spring Break
Enrollment grows, higher numbers sought
Stephanie Takach
Issue date: 1/25/08 Section: News
Drexel University's enrollment has expanded from 9,021 students in 1995 to 20,685 students in 2007, largely due to the co-operative education offered at the University, according to Joan McDonald, vice president of Enrollment Management.
By 2010, Enrollment Management wishes to expand Drexel's undergraduate enrollment to 12,000 students, and achieve a 10 percent growth over three years, McDonald said.
In 1996, Drexel only offered the five-year co-op option, until it extended the program for students to choose the five-year co-op option or the four-year co-op option.
Currently, 50 percent of students enroll in the five-year program and 50 percent enroll in the four-year model, according to McDonald.
"The addition [of the four-year model] was instrumental to help the university grow to what it is now," McDonald said.
The university has also begun to stress the concept of its location in an urban environment.
"I think education is greatly enhanced in an urban setting," McDonald said.
The recruitment process has also grown as a result of the increased enrollment at Drexel.
"We do a lot more digitally these days than we ever would have three years go," McDonald said.
This includes student blogs, e-mail announcements and a portal where students can access what materials they will need for Drexel. Drexel has also expanded its recruitment to a national level, according to McDonald.
The increase in enrollment has also pushed the acceptance rate down. This year, Drexel is expecting 25,000 applicants for only 2,500 spots. In 1995, there were 3,513 freshman applications and in 2007 there were 21,713 freshman applicants. Because the numbers have grown drastically, the academic standards at the university have increased as well.
"We're putting a number of students that we'd normally admit on a waiting list," McDonald said.
Drexel considers high school GPA, rank in class, SATs, letters of recommendations and essays in its enrollment criteria. The average SAT is now at 1200 and the average GPA is 3.5. This compares to the 1995 average SAT score of 1117.
By 2010, Enrollment Management wishes to expand Drexel's undergraduate enrollment to 12,000 students, and achieve a 10 percent growth over three years, McDonald said.
In 1996, Drexel only offered the five-year co-op option, until it extended the program for students to choose the five-year co-op option or the four-year co-op option.
Currently, 50 percent of students enroll in the five-year program and 50 percent enroll in the four-year model, according to McDonald.
"The addition [of the four-year model] was instrumental to help the university grow to what it is now," McDonald said.
The university has also begun to stress the concept of its location in an urban environment.
"I think education is greatly enhanced in an urban setting," McDonald said.
The recruitment process has also grown as a result of the increased enrollment at Drexel.
"We do a lot more digitally these days than we ever would have three years go," McDonald said.
This includes student blogs, e-mail announcements and a portal where students can access what materials they will need for Drexel. Drexel has also expanded its recruitment to a national level, according to McDonald.
The increase in enrollment has also pushed the acceptance rate down. This year, Drexel is expecting 25,000 applicants for only 2,500 spots. In 1995, there were 3,513 freshman applications and in 2007 there were 21,713 freshman applicants. Because the numbers have grown drastically, the academic standards at the university have increased as well.
"We're putting a number of students that we'd normally admit on a waiting list," McDonald said.
Drexel considers high school GPA, rank in class, SATs, letters of recommendations and essays in its enrollment criteria. The average SAT is now at 1200 and the average GPA is 3.5. This compares to the 1995 average SAT score of 1117.
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George Washington
posted 1/29/08 @ 8:54 PM EST
I wonder if incoming students know of Drexel University's intolerance to the recreational use of marijuana. Be careful if you are a smoker, I would NOT choose this school! They will screw you! Go elsewhere. (Continued…)
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